Gaian Variations
Encyclopedia
Gaian Variations is an environmental oratorio by classical composer Nathan Currier
, an abruptly terminated premiere of which took place at Avery Fisher Hall
, Lincoln Center, New York on April 21, 2004.
The work focuses on the Gaia Theory of James Lovelock
. Currier spent several years writing the large work; he feels the urgency of climate change makes raising awareness of Gaia Theory important, and has given talks on climate change for Al Gore’s The Climate Project
. When two institutions involved in the premiere, the Brooklyn Philharmonic
and Earth Day Network, failed to raise the funds needed, Currier used personal funds to prevent its cancellation.
During the premiere, the Brooklyn Philharmonic orchestra suddenly stopped in the midst of the performance. It claimed it was headed into overtime, although Currier has disputed that. The Allan Kozinn, music critic for the New York Times, said that the composer “seemed unable to end the work,” claimed that the texts were “pseudoscientific,” and harshly criticized the composition. Currier was given a pro bono lawyer through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
shortly after the performance. The Executive Vice President and Director of the Hess Oil Company, J. Barclay Collins II, also a client of the same firm and Chairman of the Board of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, complained to the law firm, and Currier lost legal representation. On the New York Times Arts Beat Blog, Collins (who retired in January 2010 from the multi-billion dollar company) was also quoted as saying that Currier’s lawsuit was "totally without merit." Since 2008, Currier has been represented by Alex T. Roshuk, and the case was filed against the orchestra in Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County, in 2009. An archival website about "Gaian Variations", and its premiere, gaianvariations.com, still exists.
Nathan Currier
- Biography :Coming from a musical family, composer Nathan Kind Currier is son of composer Marilyn Currier and brother of composer Sebastian Currier ....
, an abruptly terminated premiere of which took place at Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall is a concert hall, in New York City and is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. It is the home of the New York Philharmonic, with a capacity of 2,738 seats.-History:...
, Lincoln Center, New York on April 21, 2004.
The work focuses on the Gaia Theory of James Lovelock
James Lovelock
James Lovelock, CH, CBE, FRS is an independent scientist, environmentalist and futurologist who lives in Devon, England. He is best known for proposing the Gaia hypothesis, which postulates that the biosphere is a self-regulating entity with the capacity to keep our planet healthy by controlling...
. Currier spent several years writing the large work; he feels the urgency of climate change makes raising awareness of Gaia Theory important, and has given talks on climate change for Al Gore’s The Climate Project
The Climate Project
The Climate Project was founded by Nobel laureate Al Gore in June 2006 and is a non-profit organizationdedicated to calling attention to what it believes are global problems associated with climate change...
. When two institutions involved in the premiere, the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Brooklyn Philharmonic
The Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, commonly known as the Brooklyn Philharmonic, is an American orchestra based in the borough of Brooklyn, in New York City...
and Earth Day Network, failed to raise the funds needed, Currier used personal funds to prevent its cancellation.
During the premiere, the Brooklyn Philharmonic orchestra suddenly stopped in the midst of the performance. It claimed it was headed into overtime, although Currier has disputed that. The Allan Kozinn, music critic for the New York Times, said that the composer “seemed unable to end the work,” claimed that the texts were “pseudoscientific,” and harshly criticized the composition. Currier was given a pro bono lawyer through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts is both a generic term for legal service organizations located throughout the United States and the proper name of the organization in New York City. Founded in 1969, that organization is the oldest VLA in the country.-Programs:Chicago-based lawyers for the Creative...
shortly after the performance. The Executive Vice President and Director of the Hess Oil Company, J. Barclay Collins II, also a client of the same firm and Chairman of the Board of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, complained to the law firm, and Currier lost legal representation. On the New York Times Arts Beat Blog, Collins (who retired in January 2010 from the multi-billion dollar company) was also quoted as saying that Currier’s lawsuit was "totally without merit." Since 2008, Currier has been represented by Alex T. Roshuk, and the case was filed against the orchestra in Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County, in 2009. An archival website about "Gaian Variations", and its premiere, gaianvariations.com, still exists.
External links
- Nathan Currier website.
- GaianVariations.com