"Vital Signs of the Planet"

Over 100 young musicians from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Juniors Conservatoire joined with international youth leaders to present "Vital Signs of the Planet" in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.  With films and pictures from National Geographic and NASA, the backdrop to the orchestra was views of our planet on a large screen that were thematically selected to complement the music and to illustrate the impact of climate change.

After an opening traditional tune with bagpipes, the orchestra played excerpts from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Debussy’s La Mer, Vaughan Williams Sinfonia Antarctica, and Giacchino’s Advent.  The finale was a clear favorite for the young performers, with a live performance of “Unwritten” by UK Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter, Natasha Bedingfield.  Between the pieces, there were brief statements from youth leaders from around the world who are here for the COP, and a video statement from two of the astronauts on the International Space Station. The thematic program worked well, and the performers earned their standing ovation. 

It is not just the concert hall where art is making an impact.  There are exhibits in the Blue Zone (including at different country pavilions) and Green Zone, posters on the streets, and installations.  There was an event at the Cryosphere Pavilion focussed on art and music, where Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat reminded us that art, music and culture can "inspire us to do more."  We also heard from composer Lera Auerbach, who composed Arctica, her fourth symphony and watched a film about the creation of the work. Miranda Massie also presented some of the projects the Climate Museum has sponsored. 

Two memborable installations are the work of Vincent J. F. Huang, featuring polar bears with life jackets imitating famous artworks, on display at the Tuvalu pavilion, and Oliver Jeffers "The Celestial Census," on display outdoors in the Green Zone.  "The Celestial Census" invites visitors to "put on your space helmet and float the dotted line between the Earth and the Moon, all the while considering our home from afar, along as aa single organism.  ... Explore the 36 Meter expanse of space between Earth in which 'All People Live Here' and our Moon, on which 'No One Lives Here.'"