Join OFE, the WWF, and millions round the world choosing to go ‘lights out’ for Earth Hour as we play two of Richard Strauss’ most beautiful and soul-searching works by candlelight.
As accelerating climate change and staggering biodiversity loss threaten our planet, Earth Hour endeavours to spark never-before-had conversations on the loss of nature and the urgent need to protect it. OFE believes that music must play a part in making these conversations happen, which is why we are teaming up with the WWF for our Earth Hour 2019 concert. The event will begin with a short presentation by the WWF at 8pm, followed by a candlelit performance by OFE. In doing so, we will be joining millions of people choosing to go ‘lights out’ for an hour as a symbolic show of solidarity for the planet.
The music chosen for this event was written by Richard Strauss in 1945, as Europe’s darkest hour finally drew to a close. These extraordinarily beautiful pieces, written when the composer was in his eighties, show two contrasting reactions to the world around him: the Metamorphosen weeps for what has been lost, while the Oboe Concerto strives for optimism. The programme will begin with Benjamin Britten’s beguiling Metamorphoses after Ovid, itself a meditation on love, loss, hope, and the natural world.
Britten: Six Metamorphoses after Ovid (selection)
R. Strauss: Metamorphosen for 23 solo strings
R. Strauss: Oboe Concerto
Chloe Barnes: oboe
Victoria Gill: leader
John Warner: conductor
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