Bass-baritone's Sound Installation Concert Showcases Care for Nature

Bass-baritone and sound installation artist Andrew Munn will present the China premiere of his very special concert "postWinterreise: Cyclical Sound Environment" in Shanghai this week.

The performance is part of the Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall's "Digi Muse" music and technology festival, which aims to explore new music, tech, and performance industry possibilities.

Munn's work integrates vocals, piano, electronics, ice, and natural elements, offering an eco-conscious contemporary reimagining of Schubert's classic song cycle "Winterreise."

A block of ice is suspended in the center of the stage. The sounds of the bass-baritone and piano are converted into physical vibrations via transducers, which are then transmitted into materials such as ice, metal, and wood.

These vibrations are picked up and amplified by contact microphones and hydrophones, allowing the audience to "hear" the faint sounds of the ice layers resonating.

"Just like the content in the music, I want to express grief and sadness in today's world, the mutual influence of nature and our lives, and the relationship between humanity and the earth," said Munn.

The visuals in the background were created by artist Daniele Lucchini, who traveled to Hallstatt, Austria – where Schubert composed "Winterreise" – and filmed footage of the glaciers in 2025. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, he overlapped and projected this footage with the landscape from 200 years ago, giving the audience an intuitive sense of the profound impact of climate change.

While preparing for the performance in China, Munn also collected sounds and images along the Yangtze River and incorporated them into his work.

Meanwhile, the Digital Image And Sound Interactive Exhibition is being held on the 4th floor of the Concert Hall from April 3 to May 5.

Six digital art works employ cutting-edge technologies such as VR (virtual reality), AI, and interactive installations, integrating the city's history, culture, and individual emotions to create a sensory space that invites audiences to immerse themselves and explore.

Performance info

Dates: April 4, 2pm/7:30pm

Tickets: 120-180 yuan

Venue: Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall 上海音乐厅

Address: 523 Yan'an Rd E. 延安东路523号