Wonderful World was an ode to nature. A musical and visual reflection on the world’s beauty and a heartfelt artistic plea from cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca who is on a mission to awaken people’s awareness of environmental destruction and encourage them to take planet-friendly action.

Stunning visual imagery by cinematographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand was projected onto the back of the stage while the festival’s elite team of string players, dubbed an All-Star Orchestra, surrounded soloist and narrator La Marca.

This multi-media show packed a punch and disconcerted the audience with its occasional harrowing footage of extreme industrial pollution.

Christian-Pierre La Marca and ensemble: Wonderful World. © Frontrow Foto

Overall, this was a moving, mixed genre event with an easy listening playlist. The cameo presentations of 15 brief pieces were ideal to demonstrate La Marca’s astonishing instrumental voice, a miracle of eloquence and luxurious lyricism.

La Marca favoured a subdued aesthetic which was honoured by the ensemble’s crystal clear translucent accompanying lines and especially so by pianist Kristian Chong because the piano has such a potentially intrusive voice.

Chong’s discreet figurations developed into a more pronounced extroversion and fire in Fazil Say’s wonderful Sonata for Cello...