New music for ancient trees

DORSET musicians Emily Burridge, cello, and Karen Wimhurst, clarinet, join sound artist Adrian Newton for All Trees Are Clocks, a multi-media performance celebrating ancient trees and woodlands, at Dorchester Corn Exchange on Sunday 21st April at 2.30pm.

The musicians play live, accompanying field recordings and video curated byAdrian Newton, documenting how ancient woodlands are changing over time. All Trees Are Clocks was recently featured on the Cerys Matthews show on BBC Radio 6.

The piece follows ancient trees as they change through the seasons, but also explores the potential impacts of climate change. “For many people, climate change is something remote that doesn’t affect them personally,” says Adrian Newton, who is producing the event. “Yet many of our ancient trees, which people love to see, are already suffering because of it. We hope that this piece will remind us just how special ancient trees are, not least because of their great age. Perhaps they experience time differently from how we do.”

Emily is a virtuoso cellist, whose improvisational skills create exquisite and spiritual music, fluidly crossing classical and contemporary genres. Her recent work has explored the soundscapes of the Amazon rain forest and the legacy of JS Bach.

Karen is a widely commissioned composer, whose work ranges from chamber pieces to music theatre, embracing folk and jazz influences alongside classical music. Recent compositions include Jump, in which she plays the clarinet alongside the sounds of insects and amphibians.

The performance will employ the Corn Exchange’s surround sound system, providing an immersive listening experience. Tickets are available from Dorchester Arts.