A journey across the globe with City of London Sinfonia and science YouTuber Dr Simon Clark

Join City of London Sinfonia and science communicator, atmospheric physicist, and author Dr Simon Clark on a journey across the globe from pole to pole, taking in the freezing desolation of the tundra, the vast expanse of the oceans, and the humid claustrophobia of the tropics.

The soundtrack to your adventure will be a selection of classical pieces representing the cloud formations we encounter as we make our way from the Antarctica to the Arctic.

Revisit old favourites such as Vivaldi’s Summer invoking the altocumulus castellanus – small fluffy clouds often found in the tropics, which look cute but can warn of thunderstorms, with dynamic lightning.

And discover new gems like Caroline Shaw’s In manus tuas and Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s Spectra, shimmering like noctilucent clouds, the highest and most intangible of all known cloud species.

Music from Pole to Pole is part of City of London Sinfonia’s ‘Patterns of Nature’ series, which examines the relationship between nature and humanity, and this concert is part of our broader commitment to climate-aware programming and conversations around our changing planet.

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Music

Caroline Shaw In manus tuas
Webern 5 movements for string orchestra, Op. 5 (extract)
Dvořák Nocturne in B, Op. 40
Lutosławski Musique funèbre: Epilogue
Osvaldo Golijov Last Round: Movement 1
Marais Alcione: Tempest
Vivaldi Concerto in G minor Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315, “Summer” (extract)
Thomas Adès Arcadiana, Op. 12, movement 6: O Albion
Anna Þorvaldsdóttir Spectra (extract)
JS Bach Goldberg Variations: Aria