Vivaldi’s Four Seasons reimagined through climate data — the sound of a changing world.
Our Role Sound Concept, Algorithmic Score Editing // Client NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra // Production Company Merkenfilm Crossing // Creative Agency Jung von Matt AG // PR / Marketing Segmenta Communications / Hamburg // Sound Partner Markenfilm SPACE // Year 2019
Awards // CANNES LIONS - Gold - Creative Data // CANNES LIONS - Bronze - Radio & Audio // ONE SHOW - Gold - Creative Use of Data / Storytelling // ONE SHOW - Best of Discipline - Creative Use of Data / Storytelling // ONE SHOW - Silver - Craft / Use of Sound // ONE SHOW - Green Pencil // D&AD Graphite Pencil - Sound Design & Use of Music // D&AD - Wood Pencil - Radio & Audio // NEW YORK FESTIVALS - Gold - Best Use of Music // NEW YORK FESTIVALS - Gold - Sound Design // NEW YORK FESTIVALS - Bronze - Live Experience // NEW YORK FESTIVALS NEW YORK FESTIVALS Live Experience - Bronze // ADC GERMANY Gold - Digital Communication - Data-Driven Creativity // ADC GERMANY Silver - Audio - Innovative Use of Audio // ADC GERMANY Silver - Event Experience - Craft - Music /Sound // ADC GERMANY Silver - Next Level // ADC GERMANY Silver - Craft - Innovation in Production
For Seasons makes climate change audible through the musical language of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
More than ten environmental datasets — from temperature anomalies to CO₂ levels and species decline — were mapped directly onto the score, turning scientific data into something that can be felt as well as understood (read more in our article The Poetry of Data).
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The concept unfolds on two levels. Global climate datasets — rising CO₂, shifting temperatures, and changing vegetation cycles — reshaped the overall structure of all four concertos.
Notes lengthened, harmonies transposed, and motifs appeared earlier or disappeared altogether, mirroring how the seasons themselves arte shifting.
At the same time, local ecological datasets transformed the musical motifs within. Bird calls thinned with population decline, insect passages eroded through species loss, and storm themes broke in with growing intensity.
To preserve the historical reference, the solo violin remained untouched — an anchor line of stability amid growing dissonance.
Even the orchestration was driven by data: the number of hot days determined how many instruments were added beyond Vivaldi’s original score, making the music literally swell in intensity with the rising heat.
Premiered at Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and streamed to a worldwide audience, For Seasons reached millions and was covered in more than 130 countries.
Now part of the United Nations Development Programme — the sound of climate change goes global.
