The UK premiere of Julia Wolfe's climate-focused oratorio 'UnEarth' took place at the Barbican, London, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, National Youth Voices, and the Finchley Children's Music Group. Conductor Martyn Brabbins led the performance, which also featured soprano Else Torp and visual projections by Lucy Mackinnon.
Wolfe, a member of the collective Bang on a Can, developed the text with a youth choir for its 2023 New York debut. In London, the singers performed from memory and were amplified. The first two movements were praised for their evocative use of imagery and music, including a striking depiction of the Flood and a multilingual listing of 'tree' that built into lively cross-rhythms.
However, the final movement drew criticism for being heavy-handed. With teenagers appearing on screen and children on stage reciting lines such as 'I take the bus,' the movement was described as preachy. The inclusion of climate-science buzzwords sung in thudding syllables left some questioning the artistic approach.
The concert also featured Copland's 'Appalachian Spring,' which was noted for its effortless celebration of nature's resilience, contrasting with the oratorio's more direct approach to the climate crisis.
