Chiara Schmidt Takes Music — and Climate Action — to New Heights

by Brian Field

In 2022, I launched a musical initiative to raise global awareness of the climate crisis and to support the Union of Concerned Scientists and their vital advocacy work. This journey began with Three Passions for Our Tortured Planet — a piano suite in three movements: "Fire," "Glaciers," and "Winds."

At the time, I had no idea how far the project would reach. Since then, it has grown beyond anything I imagined, bringing together over 125 artists from around the world. The work has been performed in concert halls and countryside festivals, remixed in nightclubs from China to North Macedonia, and incorporated into multimedia performances.

Among the many remarkable artists who have embraced this project, pianist Chiara Schmidt stands out as one of the most dynamic and multifaceted. Born in Italy, Schmidt has performed the suite in both traditional concert settings and innovative collaborations with modern dancers. Last year, she took her commitment even further: an experienced mountaineer, she led a crew up Austria’s Dirndl Mountain, where she performed the entire suite at the summit. The performance, captured on film, will be featured in a documentary scheduled for release later this year.

Environmental stewardship is woven deeply into Schmidt’s life and artistry. Her passion shines through in her newly released commercial recording of Three Passions for Our Tortured Planet, now available on all major streaming platforms and for download on Apple Music and elsewhere. You can stream or download it here.

I invite you to join me in celebrating Chiara Schmidt’s extraordinary contributions to this cause. All royalties I collect from the composition are donated in full to the Union of Concerned Scientists, helping to fund their efforts to protect our fragile planet.