SHARE
COPY LINK

MUSIC

Hamburg orchestra to perform climate change rework of Vivaldi classic

A classical orchestra in Germany aims to "make climate change audible" with a reworking of Antonio Vivaldi's famous violin concertos "The Four Seasons" using algorithms based on climate data.

Hamburg orchestra to perform climate change rework of Vivaldi classic
Campaigners during a climate strike in Hanover on September 20th. Photo: DPA

The project reimagining one of the most widely recognized classical works, which you can hear in the video below, is entitled “For Seasons” and will be performed in Hamburg on Saturday.

A collaboration between musicians, artists and software developers, the composition has been described by its creators as “disharmonic” and “uncomfortable”.

“The piece makes the facts of climate change obvious: the climate and our seasons have grown unbalanced,” the organizers said on the project website.

Using data relating to species extinctions, rises in global temperatures and extreme weather events, the composers claim to have developed algorithms which can “influence the notes on the original sheet”.

READ ALSO: What does Germany's planned climate protection package mean for you?

Changes to Vivaldi's original score from 1725 include a blurring of the lines between spring and summer and the removal of notes which represent birdsong.

The new work will be premiered by the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie's resident orchestra.

“Almost everybody in the room will recognise the original, but then quickly think: 'Hang on, this sounds different, somehow disturbing',” said Yuri Christiansen, the orchestra's solo cellist.

Tickets for the performance at Hamburg's modern, waterside concert hall will be free of charge, and the event will also be streamed by regional public broadcaster NDR.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

WEATHER

Denmark strikes new record for most rain in a year

Denmark on Wednesday struck a new record for the total annual precitipation, meteorologists said, noting that further increases in annual rain and snowfall could be expected in future years as a result of climate change.

Denmark strikes new record for most rain in a year

The annual tally of snow and rainfall as of Wednesday was over 907 millimeters (35.7 inches), national meteorological institute DMI said with over a week left in the year.

The previous record since measurements started in 1874 was 905mm, a level reached in 1999 and 2019.

On average, the Scandinavian country sees around 760mm of precipitation annually, but this could increase.

“The warming from anthropogenic climate change gradually also leads to increased precipitation in Denmark,” Rasmus Anker Pedersen, a climate scientist at DMI, told AFP.

According to Pedersen, by the end of the century, annual precipitation is expected to increase by seven percent.

“The change is not uniform over the year — we do not expect a substantial change in the summer precipitation amounts, while the winter precipitation will increase by 12 percent.

SHOW COMMENTS