2. LIFE IS FLASHING BEFORE MY EYES... from OUR PLANET, OUR FUTURE by Uno Vesje

LIFE IS FLASHING BEFORE MY EYES AND I REALIZE THAT IT ALL STARTED WITH A BLACKBIRD from OUR PLANET, OUR FUTURE.

OUR PLANET, OUR FUTURE is a six movement solo piece for acoustic pedal harp and electronic elements composed by myself. With this project I want to use the harp to get attention around one of our times most important issues - the environmental crisis!
The electronic elements (backing track) consist of samples of speeches, statements, and discussions from the news and media by some of the most characteristic voices in the climate discussion, including; Dr. Jane Goodall, Greta Thunberg, and Donald Trump. It includes abstract recordings of nature, birdsong, public demonstrations, and horrifying undercover recordings from a pig slaughterhouse. Even though this work consists of some depressing facts and thoughts, dangerous political statements, suffering and torture, this project also conveys hope. The hope is represented by the voice and courage of a young woman standing against the most powerful men, who inspires children and young people all around the globe to fight for their future. My only goal for this harp project is to challenge and inspire my audience to reflect. Reflect on how you live your life and how everything you do is a vote or a direction for the future of our planet. I want to say through the harp what thousands and thousands of children and young people have shouted on the streets; We Need Change!

Harpist and Composer - Uno Alexander Vesje
Director - Marius Freitag Granholt
Producer - Uno Alexander Vesje
Videographer and Sound engineer - Manuel Madsen
Lighting design - Peter Høie
Recorded at Hvelvet Sentralen in Oslo, Norway, March 28th 2021.

Funded by
the Dutch Harp Festival
the Norwegian Society of Composers

Bio
Uno Alexander Vesje (1989) is a Norwegian harpist and composer. Uno holds a Masters Degree in performing harp from the Norwegian Academy of Music and a Masters Degree in Composition from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Uno has won a number of prizes and scholarships, his accolades include Winner of the World Harp Competition (2021), Silver Medal at the 5th Manhattan International Music Competition (2020), third prize in the Harp Column New Music Contest (2020), Winner of the 6th USA International Harp Competition Composition Contest (2018), third prize in the International Edvard Grieg Composition Contest (2014). In 2021 Uno received the Government Work Grant for Artists for developing his political voice as a harpist. Uno has performed as a soloist with professional orchestras such as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera, and the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra. As a soloist of his own compositions he has performed in venues like Carnegie Hall, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheater, TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, Oslo Concert Hall and Helsinki Music Center. Uno has released two solo albums; “Oslo(ve)” and “Poems From a City”.

www.unoharp.com