About two years ago, I had blogged about a rare concert by Brian Eno and friends and family members at the Acropolis in Athens which took place under very concerning circumstances. So far unseen wildfires had approached the outskirts of Greece’s capital amidst a massive heatwave. Taking place at the origin of civilization witnessing its possible end, Eno mused. The concert was broadcast by ARTE for a couple of months. And, after a year-long hiatus, it seems to be accessible again, for at least another four days!

Greece has experienced this year new devastating heat waves and floodings. The first of at least two floodings was caused by cold air from the arctic crashing into the extremely hot surface waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the early days of September which led to the slow development of a medicane, a now no longer rare subtropical cyclone in the Mediterranean. That Medicane, called Daniel, then hit Libya with even more death and destruction.

Eno who is soon being awarded the Golden Lion on the occasion of La Biennale di Venezia for his lifetime achievement has published in the meantime a highly acclaimed new song album. Its final piece, Making Gardens Out of Silence in the Uncanny Valley, is, according to liner notes, premiered as an audio installation as

Eno’s contribution to the London Serpentine’s long-term interdisciplinary programme addressing the ongoing climate emergency, Back to Earth. Incorporated in this work is a recording of a Yellowhammer, recorded by A. J. Williams, Gloucestershire, England, April 1977. Courtesy of the British Library with thanks to Cheryl Tipp. (Emphasis added.)

Brian Eno. Foreverandevernomore. Opal Limited 2022

How does a yellowhammer actually sing? Where in this piece, Making gardens …, can you hear its call? Well, it’s a simple song. You may identify the little bird in the haunting second part of Making gardens several times, for example at 8:20 in the below video.

7 October 2023 @ 5:51 pm.

Last Modified October 7, 2023.