Main content

Music and the Environment

Tom Service explores music and climate change as world leaders gather for COP26. Including Norwegian musician and composer Terje Isungset on 20 years of Ice Music.

As the COP26 climate summit continues, Tom Service is joined by a panel of guests to discuss how musicians, orchestras and cultural organisations can respond to climate change. Live guests include violinist and conductor Pekka Kuusisto, London Symphony Orchestra Managing Director Kathryn McDowell and founder of the cultural and environmental charity Julie's Bicycle, Alison Tickell. We also hear from the environmental consultant Natalja Andersson about her work on Gothenburg Opera's sustainable production of Wagner's Ring Cycle.

Tom talks to Norwegian musician and composer Terje Isungset about his Ice Music project and gets his unique perspective on the changing planet after 20 years of making ice instruments. Inuk singer Tanya Tagaq discusses the relationship between her music and the natural environment and we explore environmental soundscapes with music writer Kate Galloway. Plus, journalist Zack Ferriday shares his thoughts on the limitations of musical activism.

Music clips from COP26 include:
Brìghde Chaimbeul
RSNO Junior Choir
Musicians in Exile
Emma Donald and Isbel Pendlebury

Available now

44 minutes

Last on

Mon 8 Nov 2021 22:00

Music Played

  • Richard Wagner

    ³Òö³Ù³Ù±ð°ù»åä³¾³¾±ð°ù³Ü²Ô²µ

    Conductor: Sir Mark Elder. Orchestra: Hallé.
  • Terje Isungset

    Blue Horizon

    Performer: Terje Isungset.
  • Terje Isungset

    A Glimpse of Ice

    Performer: Terje Isungset.
  • Terje Isungset

    Glacial Motion

    Performer: Terje Isungset.
  • Terje Isungset

    Winter View

    Performer: Terje Isungset.
  • Terje Isungset

    A Glimpse of Light

    Performer: Terje Isungset.
  • Bob Dylan

    The Times They Are A-Changin' 

  • Sam Cooke

    A Change Is Gonna Come

  • Rage Against the Machine

    Killing In The Name

Broadcasts

  • Sat 6 Nov 2021 11:45
  • Mon 8 Nov 2021 22:00

Knock on wood – six stunning wooden concert halls around the world

Steel and concrete can't beat good old wood to produce the best sounds for music.

The evolution of video game music

Tom Service traces the rise of an exciting new genre, from bleeps to responsive scores.

Why music can literally make us lose track of time

Try our psychoacoustic experiment to see how tempo can affect your timekeeping abilities.

Podcast