​LONDON “Our world is on fire and we all need to wake up to this fact and do something. If music can be part of that wake up call then i will join the chorus. (BETHAN JONES, PIANIST)

​LONDON “Artists these days have far more powerful voices than many politicians and therefore we can make a real difference! The planet needs us more than ever to save it! I personally thank it every day for having all us here, giving us ‘home' in a real sense and cannot wait to connect with my audience on this special day!’ (GéNIA, PIANIST)

LONDON “Music helps us reconnect with true human nature.” (JESSICA PEVERELL, PIANIST)

LONDON “I really want to do anything I can for this important and urgent cause. I often feel helpless about what I can do specifically. So when I saw this opportunity to do what I do best in life, which is play the piano then I jumped at the chance!” (SARAH KERSHAW, PIANIST)

LONDON “I'm in ClimateKeys because culture declares a climate emergency.” (EMILY HALL, PIANIST)

LONDON "I'm in ClimateKeys because it is a simple as this: we have a responsibility to those who come after us.” (ALICE THOMPSON PIANIST)

LONDON "Humans are the worst natural disaster known to humankind” (RUPERT COLE, PIANIST)

LONDON “I’m in ClimateKeys to raise awareness of how urgent it is that the catastrophic effects of global warming are addressed now, before it is too late. The evidence is undeniable; the consequences have already been seen. The poorest people are suffering; the richest have the power to do something about it. The rest of us need to choose – do nothing, or make the difference. I want to add my voice to the pressure on politicians to keep a promise (not to do anything extra, note, just to do what they said they would do), and I am aware that individual changes do matter. The alternative to me making a change in my behaviour is me not making that change, and that’s something I can’t live with in good conscience. I want to put on a concert at a primary school because it is our children who will be affected most by the decisions that are made today. They need to be awakened to the emergency and to join the movement. How many children can the authorities lock up for demanding a future? I am honoured to be allowed to perform at the school where I taught music for many years, where three of my children enjoyed a happy and loving place and where I found my way.” (Layman Human - Singer, songwriter, pianist)

LONDON "Through ClimateKeys I feel I can make a contribution to the debate by bringing in an audience who are encouraged, gently, through music, to talk to one another. It is a very small step but if millions of people made small steps like this it could turn into a ‘giant leap’. Many people are aware of climate change but do not have an opportunity to discuss it. This will give them that opportunity. My music reflects some of the world’s indigenous people who see conservation at the forefront of their existence. Killing the earth is the same as killing themselves. Which essentially it is. The music also reflects nature in general with pieces like ‘Jacaranda’ and ‘Barton Glebe’. (JIM RATTIGAN, COMPOSER & FRENCH HORN)

SERBIA "For many years, I avoided TV and newspapers. I wanted to be at peace. The more I know about situation in this world, the more disturbed and unhappy I became. It was my choice, but was not Lola’s, who cares about people near and far away. As a participant in ClimateKeys project I started to collect some information about climate change. I was in position which no longer allowed me to be blind. I discovered that the life of all beings is in danger and we already can see victims of global warming. The future doesn’t seem to me optimistic at all. Our concert program relates to climate change in three ways. ‘Alarm is a type of warning, ‘Water Music’ is a meditative piece, some pieces (Love and Music from Fragile Light Spaces) show the beauty of life and human beings. I am not enthusiastic that there is one quick solution; I don’t believe this. And I don’t trust the people who have real power. I don’t understand how their minds work. From the other side, people with much less or no power can become powerful thanks to the faith in the justice, not wealth.”

(NADA KOLUNDŽIJA - PIANIST)

ITALY "Climate changes are more than obvious, sometimes experiencing 4 seasons in one single day. We all notice, we talk about it, but are we really taking any actions to raise the awareness even more by also working on slowing down this process? This is the reason why we got interested in this initiative of miss Lola Perrin, thanks to my sister Marija Ligeti Balint’s involvement as pianist and composer. I like the idea of giving people a chance to think about these things through music, and involving experts in the field to engage in conversation, letting everyone express their experience and exchanging ideas that might give some answers to hows and whats. The concert programme is thought to be a spontaneous ambient improvisation, reflecting the thematics through how we feel about the human impact on nature. (MELINDA LIGETI - COMPOSER AND MULTI INSTRUMENTALIST)

SYDNEY "Climate change is a very real issue that is seldom discussed in my life and the people around me in Australia. In each season of each year we experience record high temperatures and rainfall being set, warning the community about the devastating consequences such as bushfires and floods. However, we rarely touch on the roots of the problem and exactly WHY we are experiencing this and what WE can do to forestall this matter. My programme directly relates my thoughts and experiences in Australia – the Szymanowski and the Schubert depicting the repercussions of the scorching heat. The Ravel and Debussy represent the reality of climate change - the snow is melting and the water is rising in the Arctic…" (ROBBIN REŽA - PIANIST)

LONDON "The changing climate is a subject close to both mine and Francesca’s hearts and we are both keen to open the conversation with people wherever possible. It is alarming how much warmer this Autumn has been than previous Autumns, and I am distinctly aware of the fewer number of insects around now from when I was a child, not to mention other noticeable declines in wildlife and wild spaces. Environmental changes is a subject I frequently raise with people around me, but it’s uncommon that other people will raise it with me. If I moved away, it’d be unlikely that my friends or family would report back to me about changes in the UK unless I asked. Our ClimateKeys programme is based in conjunction with speaker Nolan MacGregor. We mainly play instrumental music from Eastern Europe and Greece, much of it inspired by migrating communities - a key theme of climate change. Our motivation for taking part in ClimateKeys is to bring the conversation around Climate Change and the environment from the fringes to the mainstream: how can we tackle climate change if we dare not talk about it?" (FRAN & FLORA)

GERMANY "We’ve heard and read a lot about climate change for years and years. But in the past two years it’s becomes more apparent for everyone in daily life. The extreme weather conditions we face all over the planet show each of us the effects, and this might only be the beginning. I want to draw the attention of my friends and colleagues, the people around me to this important issue and to make them aware that we all must act, we have to gather and put pressure on the governments to achieve worldwide and immediate action against the global warming. My son, who has just started school, and his friends shall live in a world which is at least as good as the one I know. For him and for us all I think it is my duty, it is our all duty to participate in the movement to reduce climate change." (NESLIHAN SCHMIDT - PIANIST)

UK "Musicians have been given the gift of a platform and we can choose whether or not to use it. I'm curious about exploring technological advances that might help counterbalance the potential threat of climate change." (MIKAEL PETTERSSON - PIANIST)

TURKEY “I heard about climate change about ten years ago from the radio; I still listen to the same station and it’s carrying on analysing what’s happening. Where I come from my relatives have been working in the fields for years, and they’re talking about how sudden storms are ruining crops, and about the contamination of ground water. Some of my relatives have beehives; the bees are making nectar from flowers growing from poisoned ground water. But the people who surround me in Istanbul, where I will perform ClimateKeys, are not actually aware of the consequences of climate change.” (BIRSEN ULUCAN - PIANIST)

GERMANY “I’ve organised seven ClimateKeys concerts in Munich with six pianists and one organist. The concerts will take part in different quarters in town between 8th October and 17th November. The concerts are supported by the Cultural Department of Munich and we are working with the initiative; Klimaherbst. Nature inspires me in my composition work. Spending time in nature is also an important process for relaxing. So I´m very interested to preserve nature and like the idea of ClimateKeys; bringing people together to think about climate change. I will perform Romantic Classical pieces and New Classical music too; music that connects with nature and the environment. I will also play my own compositions inspired by nature, landscapes, the seasons and, for example, the sunrise.” (CORNELIA MALECKI - PIANIST COMPOSER)

USA "ClimateKeys provides opportunities to address two issues important to me. One is the rapid change to our environment. Much of this change is life-changing and some aspects are life-threatening. It is necessary to convince a large percentage of our population that these changes are real and that science provides the factual truth. Science and scientists are to be supported and celebrated. ​The second issue is the need for performers to have the courage to allow concert locations, formats, and repertoire to evolve. This is an example of living within the present and emulating the constant change that is life. Music and environmental science is to be shared by all. The continuing education of music and environmental science for our citizens must be provided by performers and lecturers. ClimateKeys supports both of these issues and I am happy to be a part of this effort.” (JOHN HORD - PIANIST)

CAMBRIDGE "I was brought up by an extremely environmentally conscious mother. She is always careful not to throw things away unnecessarily, and is even still living with her avocado bathroom suite because there is nothing wrong with it. I try very hard to mend clothes rather than getting rid of them, and if I do need to throw things out, I will spend time working out the best places to donate them. I have a reusable coffee cup for my daily Costa and we deliberately bought a ramshackle home close to the city centre so that we can walk to most places." (PAULA DOWNES, THE CANTABRIGIANS)

FRANCE "Near Paris, the winter is more and more warm. The climate seems to be even more temperate, and it causes some problem for nature; winters that are too warm bring more parasite for vegetation afterwards… So, people are tempted to use more chemical products to eliminate diseases on vegetables, flowers… In the South of France, the drought during summer is stronger this year, a big problem in Corsica which is suffering with huge forest-fire. Here in Paris in summer, when the temperature is high, air-pollution, because of industry (even more than cars), reaches a very high level very fast. This is getting problematic for children and old people. A lot of people are talking here about climate change, because of the proximity of the big Forest to the big city, we all see some change. Where I live, we have a lot of agriculture and the Fontainebleau Forest; all of us now want to find way to protect the beauty and the integrity of the Forest and take care over what we produce with farming and agriculture. People who moved to Paris from different parts of the world talk a lot about the pollution back home, too many chemical product in agriculture, and lack of water, problems they didn’t have in the past.

I tried to find pieces to perform that will stimulate the imagination of the audience and get them more aware of the UN climate change conference, COP23. Music has the power to enter mind, creating windows into the soul and the spirit. It can put the listener in a state of consciousness and concentration, to give the listener the opportunity to participate actively in the conference, and go back home with accurate information. We are working to communicate with young people to encourage them to come to the concert, by working with school. We also expect people who come naturally to classical piano concerts. The purpose is to have a mix of ages and sensibilities and hope to have between 400 and 500 people. I discovered the concept by Lola Perrin I was convinced by her energy, her sensibility and real sincerity to make things move!" (ALEX LENARDUZZI - PIANIST)​

GERMANY “Tomsk, Siberia, where I come from, is showing signs of climate change. I’ve also noticed the signs in Bavaria where I live. I can see that the climate is getting more extreme, the winters are much shorter in Siberia, and warmer. We’re very concerned about climate change. I read a lot about it in the newspapers too. For my concert I chose compositions by Debussy, Ravel, Grieg, Villa Lobos and Schumann that were inspired by nature. The titles are descriptive and eloquent: for example, “Memories of the Brazilian Forests”, “Water games”, “Moonlight”, “Little Bird”. I’m in ClimateKeys because I love nature and animals and it is great to express my concerns about nature issues through the language of music. For me the occupation with nature is essential. It is a bridge between music and spirituality.” (ANNA SUTYAGINA)

OREGON & NEW MEXICO "When Lola Perrin invited me to become a part of ClimateKeys I felt an immediate desire to contribute to this effort to bring the discussion about climate change to our audiences. I thought it was a novel and well-conceived idea with only the best possible outcomes: inspired music and dialogue on the critical topic of climate change. I am premiering important new works of my own on my two concerts in November in Oregon and New Mexico.” (ALEXANDER SCHWARZKOPF - PIANIST AND COMPOSER)

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INDIA "I'm in ClimateKeys because the power of this format lies in the unique capability to attract both music lovers and environment enthusiasts, and then engage in a language that is less jargon ridden and more public”. (SHRUTI SCHIVA -SPEAKER)

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SERBIA "We're witnessing the changes in temperatures, much warmer summers, colder winters, rains either too heavy, or no rain at all... just to mention a few most obvious ones. I was born and still live in Pancevo, one of the most polluted cities of Serbia. Part of my life is the constant worry about what we do to our planet and the effort to make it a better, healthier place to be. ClimateKeys takes this effort to a global level. We need to open people’s minds and hearts to see what’s going on and to take steps to change what we all can – still we can. My ClimateKeys concert is focused on bringing the five elements into sound: Fire, Earth, Metal, Wood, Water, through a programme of music by me, Debussy, Scriabin, Cage, Tan Dun and Bach . It’s great to be a part of this global project initiated by Lola Perrin and supported by many great musicians and guest speakers worldwide. I hope that together we can make the change, to leave our children a planet of hope and joy of life!” (MARIJA LIGETI BALINT - PIANIST COMPOSER)

UK "Although musicians and artists have a history of dissecting (and criticising) political and current affairs, climate change is noticeably absent from contemporary cultural discourse. ClimateKeys is valuable in providing a platform for performers and audiences to reflect upon and discuss issues which may not otherwise feature in daily conversation.” (HANNAH GILL - PIANIST)

UK “We need to keep banging on about climate change to remind everyone that it's real and it's happening – that’s my reason for being part of ClimateKeys.” (NATALIE BLEICHER – PIANIST)

LONDON “For civilisation to survive into the 22nd century, we need an urgent shift in cultural consciousness! Yes to art, no to fossil fuels. Yes to sustainability, no to consumerism. Yes to creativity, no to society's suicidal status quo.” (BENJAMIN COMEAU, COMPOSER PIANIST)

LONDON "I want to express through music, the swansong of our Earthly paradise and the lament of the sixth mass extinction." (TOM MATOS, SCHOOL STUDENT)

LONDON “I'm in ClimateKeys because I care about our planet present and future.” (MARIA, PIANIST)

LONDON “I think that climate change is an important problem to solve.” (ANGELA TURSI, PIANIST)

LONDON “I believe music is a great way to make your individual voice, and the voice of many, heard and able to effect change.” (KIRSTY CHAPLIN, PIANIST)

LONDON “Contributing to the wellness of the Planet makes me proud and happy. I think it is a great privilege to use music as a factor to protect our Planet.” (NIL MLADIN, PIANIST)

LONDON “Music can save the world.” (EVGENY KUZNETSOV, PIANIST)

LONDON “Music is the language of the soul and our planet needs to heal, let music lead the way.” (GILLY BEAN, PIANIST)

LONDON "We have to do everything we can to draw attention to the emergency we are in right now. I play the piano, so… that’s what I’m doing! Music has the power to connect and us with emotions. It gives us time to reflect. So my hope is that people stop for a moment, listen to the music and think about the seriousness and poignancy of the climate crisis. Maybe from there people will be more inclined to take their own action. Who knows. But we have to do something.” (OK BERTIE, COMPOSER PIANIST)

LONDON "I’m playing to show my support for Extinction Rebellion. There’ll be no pianos on a dead planet. (STEFAN LINDON, PIANIST)

FLORIDA "Conservatives are talking about climate change. The winter tides in the beaches of southern Brazil, where I’m from, are flooding the streets in cities such as Santos. We’ve included specific music in our programme as a way to engage the audience; we expect people from all ages and backgrounds to come.” (PIANO DUO BEZERRA GASTESI)

UK "I’m part of ClimateKeys because I know the arts and creativity are tools for positive global change.. It’s time for us to change the climate song, and only by coming together can we do that. ClimateKeys is a great way to be part of global environmental action.” (BECCA FARNUM - SPEAKER)

INDIA"The monsoon pattern in my area used to be regular and something to look forward to. There would be two months of summer, then fierce pre-monsoon thunderstorms making the “rain smell” that we all know and love. Around two weeks later the rains would come, largely constant, with occasional breaks and heavier spells. In the last few years this pattern has been disrupted significantly. The arrival of the monsoon is slowly pushing forward, the thunderstorms are vanishing, and a one-off dry spell that occurred in the midst of the season several years ago is threatening to become a regular occurrence. The summers have changed here as well. I have been told by older residents that about four decades ago, a fan was a luxury as opposed to a necessity. These years, the summers are often unbearable without air conditioning. I’m not sure how much of the increase in heat is due to climate change and how much is due to the clearing away of the once-extensive green cover, and the unsuitable architecture of modern apartments.ClimateKeys brings together two of the interests closest to my heart: communication through music and care for the environment. From a young age I have thought that there is more to explore in the power of music to communicate, incite discussion, and bring people together, than we know even today. The platform that ClimateKeys is creating relies upon the very same quality of music that I was trying to understand, and the intent is to bring awareness to an issue that I care deeply about. Like nearly all of us, I have a personal, powerful connection with the environment that is both beauty and strength; with ClimateKeys, I can bring the urgent discussion of its survival to a broader audience.Even five years ago, talking about climate change was not such a common topic. People talk more now, mainly around the need for sustainability than the effects of climate change, but the discussion is active and genuine. In my concert I will be choosing a mix of familiar and newer music. I want to give concertgoers something well known to look forward to, while also playing music that speaks of the urgency of action required and the current context." (SACHIT AJMANI - PIANIST) NEW ZEALAND "I've performed many recitals to raise funds for Friends of the Earth and other environmental organizations. Playing for Climatekeys is consistent with what I have always done. One concert I will play is in Waiheke; home to several of the crew of the Rainbow Warrior who settled here after the ship was bombed in Auckland in 1985. They are all personal friends of mine, and more particularly, of my partner, Hilari Anderson, who was a cook on the Warrior when she first sailed out of London for the North Sea campaign in 1978. They are still active in environmental affairs. It is also the home of one of the founders of Friends of the Earth in New Zealand, a close friend. In fact, the island is a hotbed of environmental activity. Some of these people should come to the ClimateKeys event. Most are knowledgeable on climate change." (DENYS TRUSSELL - PIANIST & SPEAKER) UK "I'm performing in Climate Keys as I feel that there is nothing more important to any of us than our planet, and I am very excited to be part of a project that combines music, which reflects nature in all its forms, and gives us a reason to want to save our planet, with the revolution we all need to make this happen!All proceeds from my concert will go to the environmental department of The Vegan Society to raise awareness for the biggest individual, but the least discussed cause of climate change- the meat / dairy industry. As the UN have stated in their 2010 report:A global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel poverty and the worst impacts of climate change.
We all have to take as much responsibility as we can for all that affects our planet, and to understand that we have to work with nature, as well as the rest of the 8.7 billion species that we share the world with, not against it! It is great to have this opportunity to raise awareness from so many angles, and to show that we should never underestimate the power we each have to make a "difference, by making informed choices, and to do the very best we can to keep inspiring change! (ELLI SPACKOVA - PIANIST) ONTARIO "Where I now live in Canada, and in Italy, my country of origin, climate change has drastically affected the lives of the people. In Italy, this summer in particular, a serious heat-wave and drought with fires in the South and unusual storms in the North have divided the country. People seem to be aware of the actuality of the issue of a climate change, but at the same time I found also a lot of resistance on this topic, arguing that the climate has always been unusual -for example, fires in the South are not unusual. People have been remembering other storms and other droughts, claiming that the issue is just being "dramatised" because of the media. Part of the reason I am interested in this project is to be able to bring an informed discussion to the fore: it seems to me that many people form an opinion without exploring the topic and I welcome the opportunity to inform, myself first, on what I feel is an issue that effects every single person who shares this planet. (ERIKO CRINO - PIANIST) COLORADO “The weather has gotten more severe in the past three years and I hear about climate change on the radio all the time. I’m in ClimateKeys to do something positive and encouraging about how we need to adapt for the sake of our kids. I chose my concert programme for pieces that celebrate four elements of our planet; fire, air, water, and animals. I’m expecting over 400 people to come, people from the local area who usually attend concerts.” (HSING-SY SHU - PIANIST)​RUSSIA “Ten years ago, after reading Al Gore’s "An Inconvenient Truth" I started to think more about the issue of global warming... Just this summer I was witnessing a climate change in Russia. June and July in Kazan, my hometown (824 kilometers East of Moscow) were usually hot in summer months. Then during the summer, it felt like a fall-like weather with a constant rain, meanwhile in Siberia there was a heat wave and a drought. NASA Images shown on TV news captured "worst Siberian wildfires in 10 000 years"; these burned 538 square kilometers of forest in southern Siberia this summer. "Climate change has been increasing temperatures across the globe, but northenmost regions, like Siberia, are experiencing temperature inclines at twice the rate...Not to mention, these wildfires can hasten the melting of Arctic ice, which is disappearing at alarming rate not just in Russia, but in Canada and Alaska" ( ScienceAlert). I strongly believe that now is the time for all of us to participate in saving our planet by creating awareness and raising the funds for that cause.” (HALIDA DINOVA - PIANIST) UK - "Historically, music and art has contributed to awareness and change, and I'd like to be part of that change in our culture. I've chosen Brighton for my concert because of its connection to Caroline Lucas, who may take part in the concert if her diary allows. I'm inspire by the idea of using our skills as pianists to engage in climate issues." (CAROLINE TYLER – PIANIST) MUNICH - German/English short questionnaire1.Have you noticed Climate Change where you currently live?Ja, durch andersartige Wetterphänomene und durch neu angekommene Insekten aus südlichen Ländern. / Yes, by different weather phenomena and by newly arrived insects from southern countries.2. Do you ever hear anyone talking about climate change in normal life? Ja/Yes3. What is your motivation for performing a ClimateKeys concert?Zum Bewußtseinswandel beitragen. /Contribute to consciousness change.4. How does your choice of pieces relate to climate change? Durch den Bezug auf die natürlichen Jahreszeiten und auf die verstärkte Hurrikan-Aktivität(„Meeressturm“) / By referring to the natural seasons and the intensified hurricane activity ("sea storm") (PROF. KLEMENS SCHNORR -ORGANIST)