Bach Versus The Climate Crisis

Composed in Leipzig at the dawn of European industrialization, "The Goldberg Variations" shows us the future, in which mankind’s leap forward in art, math, science and engineering propelled civilization from a rural/agrarian existence to that of modern industrial economies. We can hear it all in this piece of music.

Leipzig, the hometown of Bach's genius, is also the center of German brown coal.

In spite of the climate crisis, Germany, as does most of the world, still gets 30% of its electricity from coal, the most polluting and climate-damaging way to generate energy.

This is a multi-media performance created from these thoughts. See the full video at jhenryfair.com/goldberg

Bach: Goldberg Variations played by Sophia (Shuhui) Zhou.

Premiered September 18, 2022 at The Stissing Center, Pine Plains NY, USA

“Bach versus The Climate Crisis” is a live performance of the Goldberg Variations by Bach with a dynamic mix of haunting and abstract aerial imagery from industrial sites and close-ups of the performing musician, it creates a unique sensory multi-media experience while increasing awareness of the environmental crisis we all face.

Leipzig, the hometown of Bach's genius, is also the center of German brown coal.

In spite of the climate crisis, Germany, as does most of the world, still gets 30% of its electricity from coal, the most polluting and climate-damaging way to generate energy.

The pairing of the awe-inspiring "Goldberg Variations" and the surreal abstract aerial images of our destruction of nature thus creates a jarring juxtaposition.

Leipzig and coal