Pianist Performs at Landfill Site for Environmental Campaign

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. composition / ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən / (n) – a written musical piece
    Example:

    His composition is now being played in different radio stations.


  2. disposal / dɪˈspoʊzəl / (n) – the act of throwing something
    Example:

    Children should be trained in proper garbage disposal, so they can keep the environment clean.


  3. unconventional / ˌʌnkənˈvɛnʃənl̟ / (adj) – not usual
    Example:

    Her unconventional style in singing makes her stand out in the music industry.


  4. draw / drɑː / (v) – to get or attract a response
    Example:

    The strange video he uploaded drew mixed reactions from people on social media.


  5. heighten / ˈhaɪtn̩ / (v) – to increase the intensity of something
    Example:

    The seminar aims to heighten students’ appreciation toward music.


Article

Read the text below.

A Russian pianist performed at a landfill site to raise awareness of an environmental problem.


The pianist, Pavel Andreev, played an original piano piece in the middle of a garbage lot in the northern Leningrad [LEN-in-grad] region of Russia. He performed his original composition titled “Breath of Nature” and uploaded a video of the performance on social media. In the video, which is called “Royal on Garbage,” viewers can see Andreev playing the piano against the backdrop of garbage and seagulls.


To set up for the shoot, seven men helped Andreev carry the grand piano to the landfill site. It took them six hours to successfully record the video.


The video aims to encourage millions of people to nurture the environment. Andreev specifically targeted the government, public organizations, mass media, the online community, and businesses for the video’s message. The pianist hopes to encourage these sectors to undertake proper garbage disposal and recycling.


Andreev has performed in other unconventional settings like on mountains and in canyons. In fact, he drew inspiration from his previous performance at a canyon in Russia’s beautiful Ruskeala natural park for the “Royal on Garbage” video.  He said he wanted to show how beautiful nature is from another perspective through “Royal on Garbage.”


Similar to what Andreev has done, another pianist also performed at an unusual location to promote an environmental campaign. In 2016, Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi performed beside the melting glaciers in the Arctic Ocean to heighten awareness of the effects of climate change. In Einaudi’s video, the sound of falling pieces of glacier can even be heard against his piano playing.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think Pavel Andreev’s campaign for the environment is effective? Why or why not?
• If you were to produce a musical video campaigning for the environment, where would you do it? Explain.

Discussion B

• What causes or campaigns should artists support or promote? Discuss.
• What do you think is the best art form to use in promoting a cause (e.g. song, literary composition)? Why?