Sometimes it takes dramatic efforts to convince people to check out classical music. Thus the Philharmonia Orchestra has placed several players in the bottom of an aquarium full of sharks as an advertisement for the group's January 22 performance of The Blue Planet soundtrack at the Royal Festival Hall. The performance-advertisement is taking place at the SEA LIFE Aquarium in London (from Classical-Music.com) .
Has the orchestra "jumped the shark"? Not really, considering the popularity of underwater Santa Clauses that have been appearing all over the world at aquariums this time of year. If anything, the SEA LIFE stunt is even more impressive: Real instruments, real sheet music and real tuxedos underwater. Now of course to clarify some frequently-asked-questions: No, if you were to swim up next to them, you wouldn't hear beautiful music. The physical differences in playing underwater versus in open air would cause difficulty for even the best-trained of musicians. Of which these performers are not. The odds that members of the Philharmonia are also licensed scuba divers is low. The idea that they'd bring their professional grade instruments underwater? Laughable.
Still, kudos for the excellent imitation. The view of the string trio playing while sand tiger sharks swim overhead is certainly the most steampunk thing we've seen this year.
The actual event will feature music from the BBC documentary The Blue Planet, written by composer George Fenton (who will also serve as composer). Imagery from the documentary will be project on screens as the orchestra plays. Fenton has contributed music to nature-themed footage before, including for Planet Earth and Frozen Planet.