We’ve just been made aware of a special performance which took place in New York on United Nations Day back in October this year of Australian musician and composer Allan Zavod’s Environmental Symphony. The work was first performed publicly on Sunday December 20, 2015 at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. On October 24 this year at the New York City, United Nations Assembly Hall, Allan’s Environmental Symphony was played by the acclaimed New York Orchestra Ensemble (members of the symphonies around New York) and conducted by Julien Benichou.
The Environmental Symphony performance was a multi-media symphonic experience featuring a live orchestra, thought provoking narration, and mesmerizing synchronized visuals. The origin of Environmental Symphony was a passionate composition by Dr. Alan Zavod as a live performance masterpiece with five narration roles that continue in the tradition of ‘Carnival of the Animals’ and ‘Peter and the Wolf’. An ambitious and epic work that spans billions of years, from the formation of the planet through to the devastation of our current age, and a chance of hope for the future.
Allan Zavod broke down barriers in the 70s and 80s, pioneering classical jazz fusion with Jean Luc Ponty and also spent a year touring and recording with the great Frank Zappa band. Esteemed USA jazz magazine Downbeat named Zavod one of the top 10 keyboardists of the 80s. From studying at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, he later became a Professor there.
Allan wrote for theatre and orchestras worldwide and composed film scores, one with rock legend Eric Clapton. He performed with superstars like George Benson, Sting, Nigel Kennedy and so many more.
Allan also played an integral part in making Australian Musician an internationally recognised publication through his quarterly jazz piano lessons in the magazine. Those lessons have since been compiled into a 10 part series which you purchase via Allan’s website.
The live-streamed performance of the Environmental Symphony from October 24 can be viewed here, with Allan’s Symphony portion beginning at 44 minutes, 35 seconds
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Instagram : @environmental_symphony
Twitter : @EnviroSymphony
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https://www.allanzavod.com