UK Premiere

To read a feature about the project from the Guardian click here.

To see a BBC film interview click here.

Internationally acclaimed French artist and composer, Pierre Sauvageot (Lieux publics, France) will create an 'interactive musical soundscape' on Birkrigg Common, near Ulverston from 3-5 June.  

500 Aeolian instruments (after the Greek god, Aeolus, keeper of the wind) will be installed for 3 days upon the common. The instruments will be played and powered only by the wind, which will create an enchanting musical soundscape which you can experience as you rest or move amongst the instruments. 

The installation uses a mixture of conventional and purpose built instruments for example, metal and wood cellos, strings, flutes, Balinese scarecrows, sirens, gongs, harps and bamboo organs. They will be organised into four sections, each named after different types of winds from around the world. The sounds that they create, and the tempo of the music, will depend entirely upon the strength and the direction of the wind.

This is the first event that we have produced that relies entirely upon the wildness of the elements for its success. Birkrigg Common, with its open landscape and stunning views of the sea, will be the perfect environment to immerse yourself in the beauty of the sounds created, driven by the natural elements. Harmonic fields promises an extraordinary musical and visual experience. 

Pierre Sauvageot is Artistic Director of Lieux publics, the National Centre of Creation in Marseilles (France). He composes and creates music with conventional orchestras as well as using these more innovative techniques. His previous projects have included a version of Bartok's Allegro Barbaro with 100 people on the streets of Marseille, blending traditional instruments and sounds of the city including klaxons, motorbikes and broken bottles!

Pierre will be giving a talk about the project on Saturday 4 June at Lanternhouse, for further details click here

Snacks, drinks and ice creams will be available at the event. Please also feel free to bring a picnic and settle down amongst the instruments for the afternoon!

Parking and Shuttle Bus:

We very strongly recommend you use existing town centre parking in Ulverston and take the free shuttle-bus which will be running continuously to and from the site from Ulverston, via Bardsea, from 11am-8pm daily. Pick up/drop off points will be Lanternhouse, the bus stop outside the Rose and Crown pub on King Street and Ulverston Railway Station. There will be a request stop outside the Lancastrian Hotel on Mountbarrow Road as well as a further pick up point at Bardsea, from the car park on the A5087 Coast Road, where Roy's Quality Ices is situatedill (just further west than the Chill and Grill), approximately 3 miles from Ulverston. We estimate the entire round trip will take approximately 30 mins. The bus is free and no booking is required. 

Full details of car parks in Ulverston can be found here.

Access:

Please note that the ground on the Common is uneven and will be unsuitable for many wheelchair users. However some of the installation will be able to be seen and heard from the road.

There is very limited parking on-site, however this will be clearly sign-posted from Ulverston. There is an uphill walk to the installation from the parking areas.

 

With thanks to The Crown Estate

In Partnership with South Lakeland District Council

 

In Association with

 

Media Partners

Image Gallery

 

Video Clip

 

Performance dates and booking information