Composer Joshua Pearson. Photo: Supplied / Joshua Pearson
Joshua Pearson often thinks about the plight of the planet.
In 2020, the then Composer-in-Residence for the NZSO National Youth Orchestra wrote "When a pale blue dot breathes, a crowd of cacophony begins" - music inspired by the astronomer Carl Sagan's description of our tiny Earth seen through the vastness of space.
The Samoan-Kiwi composer has won this year's Tarling Trust SOUNZ commission to write a new work that will be performed by four of the country's regional orchestras, and he's chosen the possible fate of the low-lying atoll nation of Tuvalu as his focus.
His work, “Digital Fenua: Fakatili Te Kiloga Fou”, takes its inspiration from Tuvalu's decision to make itself the world's first "Digital Nation".
Speaking to RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump, Pearson says the title "Fakatili Te Kiloga Fou” came from a slogan for Tuvalan Language Week in 2020. Translated to English, it means 'navigating the changing environment'.
"It speaks powerfully to what Tuvalu is facing now."
Tuvalu's decision to create a digital version of itself is a response to the threat posed by sea-level rise: its highest point above the current mean sea level is less than five metres. Depending on how global greenhouse gas emissions track, it's possible the entire nation will be under water by 2150.
Tuvalu: not much option to move to higher ground. Photo: ©UNDP Tuvalu/Aurélia Rusek
"It's really frustrating to see that climate change has been known for a really long time. The science is clear. The solutions exist, but progress to this day is still very slow."
Pearson says nations like Tuvalu, which contribute the least to climate change, stand to suffer the most.
"That's why I wanted to write this piece, and connect with our audiences and raise an awareness and support the Tuvalan community."
Pearson has until next June to complete the work, for performance by the Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington, and the Christchurch and Dunedin Symphony Orchestras.
However, the South Auckland-based composer has to acknowledge he himself has a habit of putting things off until deadline pressure really gets his creative juices flowing.
Pearson came to composing through the piano, having taken lessons at his high school, Aorere College in Mangere, where he also played saxophone in the school band.
"I was pretty average," he says.
But it must have been obvious that the young man had a pretty good ear, as one of music teachers, Brent McGarva, introduced him to the music of composers like Iannis Xenakis from Greece, and New Zealander John Psathas, suggesting Pearson might be able to write music himself.
The contemporary classical works were a little different to Pearson's musical tastes at the time (soul, and R&B) but they made an impression.
Ten years later, Pearson is establishing his own distinct voice, and there's no doubt he'll have the SOUNZ Tarling Commission ready for performance by the middle of next year.
Whether humanity can reach its own deadline is another matter.
