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A sustainable Future
International tours, precious wood and glamorous concert halls – one might think that a classical orchestra has little to do with sustainability and the climate. But that's not quite correct. It was this thought that prompted several musician s from different German orchestras to set up the association »Orchester des Wandels« (Orchestras of Change), which some 30 orchestras have joined in the meantime. The association's work includes workshops about more sustainability in the concert hall, orchestral tours with more emphasis on green values, climate concerts and reforestation projects.
This episode was recorded in April 2022
The Power of Culture
The climate concerts in particular are a cornerstone of his work in the association for cellist and founding member Jan Bauer. He often feels powerless as an individual, but in this way he can generate attention via his profession and possibly use the power of music to convey the urgency of the situation to some of his listeners.
Olivia Jeremias, who plays the cello in the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, feels the same way. An appearance at a conference given by the German energy agency »dena« was a decisive experience for her, giving her the feeling that she was not just making a difference at a private level by reducing her energy consumption and supporting sustainable mobility; she was also sending a message through music to people who could make bigger decisions.
About »Orchester des Wandels«
Orchester des Wandels Deutschland e.V. goes back to an initiative of musicians of the Staatskapelle Berlin, who give annual climate concerts with their foundation NaturTon, set up in 2009, to promote international projects. This idea caught on with musicians from all over Germany in 2019, and resulted in the establishment of the association the following year.
Since then, the member orchestras see the issues of climate protection and conservation as part of their general cultural responsiblility, and try to reach and inspire people with the emotional power of music.
Parallel to this, the orchestras cooperate with experts and scientists to work out strategies to reduce emissions.
Text: Julian Conrad, last updated: 9th May 2022
