Cosmic Rhapsody

This article first appeared in our Earth Day 2025 issue of My Green Pod Magazine, published 22 April. Click here to subscribe to our digital edition and get each issue delivered straight to your inbox

Main image: Cosmic Rhapsody conductor Robert Ziegler and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios

British astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle hit the nail on the head when, in 1950, he wrote: ‘Once a photograph of the Earth, taken from outside, is available – once the sheer isolation of the Earth becomes known – a new idea as powerful as any in history will be let loose.’

22 years later the first photograph of Earth from space exposed the fragility and finitude of our ‘Blue Marble’ so powerfully that it was dubbed ‘the picture that launched a thousand environmental movements’.

For Susan Lim, creator, songwriter and storyteller behind ‘Lim Cosmic Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra’, space exploration has had an important role in our response to the climate crisis ever since.

‘Viewing Earth from a cosmic perspective fosters a sense of shared responsibility and urgency in protecting our home’, she tells us.

‘Cosmic Rhapsody’, a new 49-minute orchestral work premiering with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Barbican in May, was inspired in 2020 when the global pandemic and devastating wildfires exposed the fragility of our planet – and our vulnerability on it – in a new way.

Yet amidst feelings of defeat, NASA astronauts returned to space aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, symbolising human ingenuity and resilience.

‘‘Cosmic Rhapsody’ juxtaposes these realities’, Susan shares, ‘highlighting our challenges while showcasing our potential to overcome them.’

Inspiring collective action

‘Cosmic Rhapsody’ emphasises the urgency of addressing environmental challenges while seeking solutions in the cosmic space.

The music tells a compelling story about climate change, highlighting its relevance by raising awareness about environmental issues.

‘It weaves in themes of climate change, referencing real-life events such as the wildfires of 2020 and the exploration of cosmic solutions’, Susan explains. ‘It promotes collective experiences, uniting communities around climate action, and inspires hope through uplifting themes that inspire listeners to envision solutions and a sustainable future.

‘Ultimately, our hope is for the music to inspire a sense of possibility, even in the face of daunting challenges like climate change, that there is room for hope, innovation and collective action.’

The power of music

Susan, a pioneering transplant surgeon with a love for the outdoors and nature, acknowledges that the topic of climate change can be overwhelming and, at times, alienating.

She sees music as the answer: it transcends language and cultural barriers, data and statistics, and instead connects with the human heart to evoke empathy.

‘Research, including brain imaging studies, shows that listening to music activates multiple areas of the brain, including those involved in emotion, memory and motor control, releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine, associated with feelings of pleasure and reward’, Susan tells us.

As a result, music therapy is increasingly recognised for its efficacy in treating various psychological and neurological conditions.

It can help reduce anxiety, improve mood – even aid in recovery from trauma – and can be beneficial in contexts such as stress reduction or motivation.

‘Music possesses a unique ability to connect with human emotions in ways that words alone often cannot’, Susan shares. ‘It transcends linguistic and cultural differences, tapping into the core of the human experience. Music can evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to sadness and nostalgia.’

Fostering connection

Specific melodies, harmonies and rhythms can stir deep feelings, often bringing listeners to tears or inspiring them to dance.

Music also fosters social bonds, whether through shared experiences at concerts, communal singing or collaborative music-making.

This social aspect enhances feelings of belonging and connection – both of which are crucial to solving the climate crisis.

‘Music helps us understand complex challenges like climate change by simplifying the complexity, distilling intricate scientific concepts into relatable narratives and making them accessible to audiences at large’, Susan explains. ‘It enhances emotional engagement, evoking emotions that foster empathy and motivating listeners to connect with complex challenges.’