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In response to the climate emergency, Trinity Laban String Ensemble reimagines Vivaldi’s iconic masterpiece The Four Seasons and revives Hollie Harding’s immersive and eco-political Melting, Shifting, Liquid World, exploring the seasons as they should be and contemplating what they may become.

Read the full programme here

From the bird song of Spring to the cracking ice of Winter, Vivaldi captures the extraordinary sounds of the changing seasons. In this new interpretation, our String Ensemble combines music, sound and movement to bring Vivaldi’s score to life as never before.

Blending innovative audio technology, promenading musicians and field recordings of Arctic sea ice, Hollie Harding’s Melting, Shifting Liquid World forefronts the consequence of rising temperatures and ocean pollution. The work is the first composition to incorporate the use of Shokz open-ear, bone-conduction headsets alongside live instruments, creating a multi-layered sonic environment for the audience to explore.

On her inspiration to create the work, TL alum and lecturer Hollie comments –

“Sometimes, art is a more arresting way of dealing with issues like climate change as it presents information in a way that can really move people.”

Devised by violist, conductor and Trinity Laban Head of Strings Nic Pendlebury, the thought-provoking programme reframes the climate crisis through an artistic lens to examine the fragility of our modern world. The staging of the Vivaldi Four Seasons is directed by theatre director Anna Morrissey and designed by Carla Goodman, and features original soundscapes by Jamie Elless.

As the UK’s only music and dance conservatoire, we support a wide range of innovative and collaborative activity that pushes the boundaries of art forms and promote the development of new artistic media.

Opening at London’s National Maritime Museum (19 & 20 March), the ensemble will tour to Stoller Hall, Manchester and Shipley Arts Festival, before heading to Latitude Festival this summer with their environmental agenda.