Italian composer to visit north-west Highlands on ‘creative residency’ to raise awareness of climate change
A renowned Italian cellist and composer will visit north-west Sutherland as part of a unique creative residency in which he will blend music and nature to raise awareness about climate change.
Funded by the National Lottery and Arts Council England, Riccardo Pes’ Music and Nature project draws from traditional folk and classical music to explore the complex emotions between place, nature, and humanity.
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Building on his international success following performances like Lament for the Tree, which gained attention from BBC News and classical music circles, from September 27 to October 20, Mr Pes will be diving deep into the beautiful intersections of folk traditions, climate action, and the natural world.
Over this 20-day period, he will immerse himself in the local environment, conducting fieldwork and creating compositions that incorporate natural soundscapes.
Inspired by the unlawful felling of the Sycamore Gap tree felling one year ago, Pes reflects on the powerful impact the event had on his artistic direction.
His composition “Lament for the Tree” was a deeply personal response, and now, one year later, he has visited the site in Northumberland to perform a new piece called “New Life Springs” - a serenade to celebrate the new shoots growing from the base of the stump.
“Music has a powerful ability to connect people with the places they live in,” Pes said. “By integrating environmental elements into my compositions, I want to inspire reflection on our relationship with the planet and the urgent need for climate action.”
In addition to new compositions, the Music and Nature project will produce a documentary that captures Pes’ creative journey across the Scottish Highlands, from Glasgow’s vibrant folk scene to the rugged shores of Cape Wrath in north-west Sutherland.
The documentary, along with recordings of his performances in natural settings, will be shared widely across digital platforms.
Pes added: “There's something about the raw beauty of the wilderness that pushes you beyond your comfort zone — both creatively and physically. Being immersed in nature not only inspires new melodies but also challenges your limits, forcing you to dig deeper into yourself.
“The north-west Highlands of Scotland have a unique scenery, an incredible UNESCO site with some of the oldest rocks in Europe.
“Rolling knolls of rock stand out on low-lying, boggy land, which is interspersed with isolated, forbidding mountains like Suilven, Ben Stack and Quinag. Lochans, waterfalls, tiny crofting communities and the occasional castle dot the landscape.
“The whole area was gouged by glaciers during the last ice age, leaving this starkly beautiful landscape behind.”
Stephen Johns, Artistic Director of Royal College of Music, said: “Riccardo was a distinguished student at the Royal College of Music between 2016 and 2018, with solo, chamber and large ensemble performances of note and distinction.
“His personal journey as a musician has seen him combine his skills both as performer and composer, and increasingly in music and performance that is inspired by location and by nature.
“His Lament for the Tree, a work and location video performance in response to the felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap, gained worldwide attention, and is typical of his imaginative and heartfelt response to the natural world.
“I have no hesitation in supporting Riccardo in his proposed project for a residency in the UNESCO North West Geology Park in Scotland.
“There is no doubt that this inspirational environment will be of great creative impetus to Riccardo, and, with his proven ability to harness a world-wide audience for his inter-disciplinary work, should find a way to share his artistic vision widely.”
