Sir Richard Branson Environmental Symphony CD

ABC Classic presents The Environmental Symphony, an ambitious and epic work that spans five billion years, from the formation of the planet through to the devastation of our current age.

Released on United Nations World Environment Day, Wednesday June 5, The Environmental Symphony sounds a warning of what will happen if we don't act boldly and decisively to address our climate crisis, but ends with an optimistic vision of a greener, cleaner future.

With music by the genre-bending Dr.Allan Zavod, words by Australia's chief scientist Dr.Alan Finkel, narrated by Sir Richard Branson, and performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestraand conductor Benjamin Northey, this recording is a major international release that lends some musical muscle to the ongoing political and environmental fight against climate change.

Known for his unique creative blend of improvised jazz and classical music, Dr.Allan Zavod wasone of Australia's most exciting pioneers of fusion music –a pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and conductor, he broke down barriers between genres alongside international superstars such as Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, Sting, Nigel Kennedy and many more. The Environmental Symphony was his last major work before his death in 2016.