The Internet Loves That Jaw-Dropping Arctic Ocean Piano Performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DLnhdnSUVs
Earlier this summer, Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi put on the show of his lifetime on a floating platform in the Arctic Ocean – and the internet has fallen in love with it.
Einaudi played one of his own compositions to raise awareness for climate change, and the various versions have of it have already been watched millions of times.
About a minute and a half into the Greenpeace video, a piece of the melting Wahlenbergbreen glacier audibly crashes into the ocean while Einaudi plays his emotional Elegy for the Arctic on a grand piano.
“Absolutely incredible how the calving glaciers add to this wonderful piece of music,” YouTube user ‘Bitover rate’ commented. Climate change and the resulting early retreat of sea ice allowed for the construction of the floating stage, or “artificial iceberg” as Greenpeace calls it.
Einaudi travelled to the location north of Norway on the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise ahead of a crucial meeting of the international Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR).
Jaw Dropping
“Jaw dropping,” former UN climate chief – and UN secretary general candidate – Christiana Figueres called the performance, urging her followers not to miss it.
Jaw dropping. Do not miss this! https://t.co/jSLyyUkyhG
— Christiana Figueres (@CFigueres) August 16, 2016
Let’s put it this way, “What happens in the Arctic, doesn’t stay in the Arctic!” Italian medical student Nicola Mastrogiacomo posted on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG6YwDZKKEA/?hl=en
Location, Location, Location
“Location, location, location,” Seattle-based journalist Michael Dare quipped.
Location location location. https://t.co/RK9jj5Z9Ae
— Michael Dare (@michaeldare) July 14, 2016
“I cannot stop watching this video,” tweeted Kristian Teleki, an adviser with the International Sustainability Unit founded by Prince Charles.
I cannot stop watching this video – mesmerizing & terrifying @Greenpeace @RemiParmentier @figuerescr @_richardblack https://t.co/DHXgNCfqBq
— Kristian Teleki (@kristianteleki) June 23, 2016
He Must be Freezing!
Artistic duo Richard and Amanda Johnson observed: “He must be freezing!”
He must be freezing! https://t.co/3AdBHSlvdY
— Kidology Arts (@KidologyArts) June 22, 2016
Erik Pragt, a software developer, deployed reverse psychology, tweeting “Please ignore this video, it’s only awareness for the future of the Arctic.”
Please ignore this video, it's only awareness for the future of the Arctic: https://t.co/oTZZmFSbXY #einaudi #Greenpeace #notacatpicture
— Erik Pragt (@epragt) June 21, 2016
“I’m Really Sceptic”
Some were (climate?) sceptic, however. YouTube user ‘Me Garbage’ said “I’m really sceptic about this video: It’s strange that they brought a pianist to the Arctic and they did not make any behind the scenes.”
But a video by CopterClouds, the Spanish aerial filming company responsible for filming the performance, put the rumours to rest with some stunning behind-the-scenes footage.
Check out SkyTango’s interview with drone pilot Roberto Ferndandez for more behind-the-scenes footage and photos from the shoot.
Least Protected Ocean
Greenpeace, meanwhile, stressed that despite the significance and scale of the Arctic problem, it is actually the least protected ocean.
The continuing loss of sea ice caused by rising temperatures not only puts the region’s rich biodiversity at risk, but is also having a direct impact on the rest of the planet, Greenpeace pointed out.
Also: don’t miss how a scientist communicates complex climate data through… paintings.