In November, we took a deep dive into this rich topic with celebrated nature writer and conductor Lev Parikian and three nature-inspired composers: Emily Peasgood, Stuart MacRae, and Lisa Robertson.
Don’t worry if you missed it! You can listen to the audio, watch the recording below and read the full transcript.
Scroll down to watch and listen to some of nature-inspired pieces discussed by the panel.
Catch up on the conversation and hear the panel reflect on:
- What ‘nature’ means to composers today
- How they take the sounds of nature and turn them into music
- What it means to connect with the natural world through sound?
Our thanks to nature writer and conductor Lev Parikian for hosting a fascinating discussion. Head over to Lev’s website to learn more about his writing, birdwatching, conducting and lots more, and for links to his social media.
Immerse yourself in some of the nature-inspired pieces discussed during the conversation
Listen
Seabird Cities (2020) | Lisa Robertson
Exploring the contrasting soundworlds of seagulls in the city and in the wild.
Cladonia Bellidiflora (2021) | Stuart MacRae
Written for violin and cello, inspired by the symbiosis in lichens.
Sounds of the subaquatic (2023) | Emily Peasgood
Capturing the sound of biodiversity from within London’s freshwater ponds.
Isle of Sound (2021) | Emily Peasgood
A long-form composition that involved hundreds of people recording sounds from 7 different parts of Kent.
Watch
Anthropocene (2019) | Stuart MacRae
Stuart’s awarding winning opera, set in a world transformed by climate change. Learn more about Anthropocene
Beacons (2021) | Emily Peasgood
A collective call for climate action, this story invited people to search for sea gooseberries in the landscape and bring them to the beach for a magical performance.
am fìor-eun (2022) | Lisa Robertson
Lisa’s eagle-inspired piece am fìor-eun (an old poetic name for eagles in Gaelic), conducted by Thomas Søndergård and performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Birds and other Stories (2017) | Emily Peasgood
A collaborative community project that resulted in the creation of a choral work with graphic score and an exhibition of stories from 30 members of the public.
Explore further
Learn more about the composers on the panel and discover the ways in which they connect with their Music Patron community.
To connect with nature writer and conductor Lev Parikian head over to his website to learn more about his writing, birdwatching, conducting and lots more, and for links to his social media.
