This vibrant half-hour documentary portrays an extraordinary musical experience inspired by and performed at the edge of Oregon's legendary Crater Lake.
Nominated for two regional NATAS Emmy Awards!
In 2016, the Britt Music & Arts Festival brought more than 130 musicians to Crater Lake National Park to perform the world premiere of a bold new orchestral work— “Natural History” composed by Michael Gordon (Bang on a Can, NYC) and conducted by charismatic music director Teddy Abrams.
The powerful, organic score, commissioned in honor of the centennial of America's National Park Service, celebrates Crater Lake's natural wonders and the communities that surround it through the combined forces of the Britt Orchestra, the Klamath Tribe drum group Steiger Butte Singers, and regional vocal, brass, and percussion ensembles.
Crater Lake, known as giiwas to the Klamath people, has been a source of inspiration to humans for thousands of years.
Evoking the dynamic and historic interaction between human beings, nature and art at this breathtaking place over time, "Symphony for Nature” takes audiences on a multifaceted journey through the sound, vision, and spirit of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Underlying this collaboration is the connection originally forged by 19th century photographer, Peter Britt, who the music festival is named after, and whose former estate in Jacksonville, Oregon now serves as home for the summer concert series.
Peter Britt took the first photograph of Crater Lake, an image that played a major role in the creation of the national park, and forever linked Crater Lake with the Britt Music & Arts Festival.
As the film reveals, Crater Lake has been a source of inspiration to humans for thousands of years. Fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the U.S. and one of the most pristine on earth.
Gordon researched and worked on his composition over the course of a year, culminating in the premiere of "Natural History” at Watchman's Overlook on the rim of Crater Lake in July 2016, with repeat performances in a nearby grove.
Gordon’s captivating, organic music celebrates the park’s natural wonders and the communities that surround it: he envisioned his composition as “an experiential spectacle.” “It’s about our relationship to the natural world," said Gordon in the film. “There’s a Crater Lake symphony going on all year long, we’re just going to add our voices to it.”
Gordon met with the Steiger Butte Singers during his artist-in-residency at Crater Lake, also known as “giiwas” to the Klamath people, which translates to “spiritual place.”
Meeting the Klamath drum group, along with his research about how historical figures like Henry David Thoreau and early Oregon pioneers thought about nature, influenced both the music and the text of “Natural History.”
To create the documentary, Director Anne Flatté and her crew recorded rehearsals, interviews and performances.
"It was essential to show the dynamic interaction between this extraordinary work of musical art and the spectacular setting, and also include historical photos and stories that help reveal the eternal power of Crater Lake," said Flatté. "The movie will allow many more people to experience the vision, sound, and spirit of this once-in-a-lifetime musical collaboration."
A FILM BY OWSLEY BROWN PRESENTS
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