As part of the worldwide celebration of the UNESCO World Environment Day on Friday, 5 June, and set against the backdrop of the current pandemic and growing concerns about climate change, 34 EBU classical music radio channels from 29 countries are joining forces to broadcast a programme offered by WDR (SM/2020/05/12/01) and centered around Nature and natural disasters.  

Featuring the contribution of such internationally renowned musicians as percussionist Martin Grubinger and pianists Ferhan and Ferzan Önder, the programme will spotlight composer Tan Dun, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for water and intercultural dialogue in China and around the world. The event will feature the premiere of a new version, inspired by COVID-19, of his recent work Prayer and Blessing, as well as his percussion concerto, The Tears of Nature, commemorating the victims of natural disasters. A fitting contrast will be provided by Beethoven's 'Pastoral' Symphony, which looks back at times when people and Nature were still in harmony.

Matthias Kremin, Head of WDR3 Radio, said: “It may sound rather unusual to have a concert pre-recorded in two different cities, including separate recordings in Vienna and Cologne of Tan Dun's Prayer and Blessing. Nonetheless, this is an exciting idea for the UNESCO World Environment Day as we move towards the new normal. The EBU Classical Music Group has chosen this very topical event for a joint broadcast bringing together over 30 channels in 29 countries, thereby greatly raising its profile. This is an impressive showcase of public broadcasters' creativity, programming quality and solidarity in music, and WDR Cologne is proud to take part in it.” 

Originally programmed by the WDR Symphony Orchestra, the works have been arranged for chamber ensemble, to respect sanitary measures during the current crisis. 

Influential figures concerned about the environment have also been invited to share their own playlists that feature messages about the natural world. 

What musicians are saying about the role of artists and music to promote climate care 

Jean-Michel Jarre, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador: “How can artists impact climate care? They can have an impact on protecting the climate through their artistic creation. They can act as whistle blowers. Through my music, I consider myself an environmental activist. We can also have an influence through our concerts at a venue which, for one reason or another, serves to spotlight an ecological issue… Why is World Environment Day so important? To remind us that all the other days when we don’t talk about it must be taken into account, if we want our children to outlive us. See Jarre’s exclusive playlist related to Nature and the environment. 

Tan Dun, composer and conductor: "Harmony in life and harmony in music both need a delicate balance. To me, all life in our world is one. We must protect this balance, protect our earth and thus, ourselves. This is a special time in our history and as the world changes around us, moments like these where we are able to come together for one cause is incredibly important. I am so proud of the musicians and the team that are making this broadcast possible. We must remember that nature also has a voice, and who best to help our earth speak…but, the universal language of music!”

Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor 
In the exclusive playlist shared by him with public broadcasters, he refers to Sting as “one of the first artists to campaign for protection of the Amazon forest. He has shown to what extent we artists can help change mentalities more quickly. For me, this makes him an exemplary artist. I have selected his song Fragile for its refrain: ‘On and on the rain will fall, Like tears from a star, On and on the rain will say, How fragile we are’.” 

More information on the UNESCO World Environment Day can be found here. 

EBU radio channels broadcasting the concert (LIVE broadcast at 18.04 UTC): 

Tan Dun writes about The Tears of Nature:

I wrote this piece for my dear friend, a true percussion artist, Martin Grubinger. Upon conclusion of this work, I made a video demonstration for Martin, sharing the methods I used to draw out the many colours of percussion, using the video to show the unique techniques such as finger flicking, rubbing, scraping, etc. While composing, I thought about nature and focused on the passion of Martin Grubinger. 

Nature is the only suitable illustrator for the richness of percussion sounds and instruments. Nature does not just represent four seasons in a year, it also can depict the many animals it holds such as lions or tigers, animals that can take on many forms, that can be beautiful, threatening, friendly or loving. My Percussion Concerto is divided into three movements, each one representing a different colour of nature; the colour of nature’s thunder, the colour of nature’s passion and the colour of nature’s energy – each united with the human spirit. 

Please find the source of this quote and more information here