Cycling violist tours UK with environmental message
Sarah Small, from Brixworth, Northamptonshire, plays the viola da gamba - or viol - and undertook the journey to raise awareness of the environmental impact of traditional touring in the arts sector.
The viola da gamba is a 3ft-tall, seven-string instrument that was popular with English aristocrats during the Renaissance period.
Ms Small, 31, said: "It feels like the only way I can travel without feeling guilty."
Frustrated by the reliance on air and car travel for performances, she strapped the instrument – affectionately named Roger – to her bike and cycled to every concert.
Ms Small had previously cycled to a concert in northern Germany.
Her journey, which included a three-week round trip to one venue, sparked curiosity and important conversations.
"It's quite a large instrument and people ask me why I'm doing it," she said.
"When you think about the way we tour and travel, it's incredibly destructive, and so much of the music we play is inspired by nature, yet we bring it to audiences in a way that doesn't make any sense. It destroys our inspiration.
"It provokes those conversations. It's been great to connect the programmes that I play with the changes in the environment we're experiencing," she added.
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
More like this
Cycling cellist completes 2,000-mile musical ride
Related internet links
Sarah Small
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Onley the 'introverted extrovert' riding high
Team Picnic-Post NL describe Oscar Onley as "an introverted extrovert" who enjoys "lo-fi rap vibes", playing golf and eating risotto. Scottish Cycling reported how he "would be targeting stages, with the general classification being a secondary aim" in his second Tour de France. After finishing fourth overall in the standings, the 22-year-old from Kelso told how his achievement had sparked "a dream". By matching the achievement of compatriot Philippa York (then known as Robert Millar) in 1984, Onley equalled the best-ever finish by a Scottish rider. So who is the new exciting name in British cycling? And where can he go from here? 'Huge moment' as Onley matches Scottish record Tour fourth place Van Aert wins final stage as Pogacar seals Tour title Who is Oscar Onley? Those who follow cycling closely will know of Onley's steady progress since taking to the senior ranks in 2023 with his Dutch team. But his journey started in the Scottish Borders, when local club Kelso Wheelers' time trial route passed right by his front door and he got involved. Onley juggled lots of sports as a kid, particularly cross-country running, before committing to the bike. He described himself as "never the best" as a youngster, but as he grew physically his results picked up. His big breakthrough came at the Tour Down Under in 2024 when he won on the finish up Willunga Hill for his first professional victory. The Scot then managed second at the Tour of Britain. Amid all that he had to deal with two broken collarbones due to crashes. This year he has bounced back, and last month climbed on to the podium at the Tour de Suisse, winning stage five in the process. Forged in the rolling hills of the south of Scotland, Onley is most at home when the road gradient makes the legs strain and is based in the high mountains of Andorra. On the big behemoth mountain ranges, the Alps and Pyrenees, he has announced himself to a wider audience with a memorable Tour de France performance. 'It sparks a dream' - Onley reaction to finishing fourth in Tour Onley told ITV: "We never really had the plan to go for GC [general classification] in the beginning. It was more just see how it goes. "To be honest, I've never even thought about a top five in the Tour before, so to get it in my first try in GC is quite incredible and I'm excited for the future. "It gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming races as well as these are the top guys and in top shape in the biggest race. So if I can do it here then why not in other races? "There was no pressure from the team. They've handled that really well because I think as soon as you say you are going for GC, there's a lot more attention on you. I've just taken every day as it's come really and not made any extra stress as the Tour is already stressful enough, just to ride and compete. "I'm really happy with how myself and the team have managed these three weeks. I guess this is a really big moment in my career. I don't really realise it yet, but I think just with talking to other riders, going forward now we have something to build on and an exciting project for the future, and it sparks a bit of a dream I guess." What's next for Onley? Picnic-Post NL are entered in the seven-stage Tour de Pologne in Poland, which starts on 4 August, though a final entry list for riders is not yet confirmed. The Vuelta a Espana from 23 August is the next major event on the circuit.
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
Lebanon mourns iconic composer Ziad Rahbani as mother Fayrouz makes rare appearance
BEIRUT — Hundreds of people in Lebanon paid tribute Monday to iconic composer, pianist and playwright Ziad Rahbani , who died over the weekend. His mother, Fayrouz, one of the Arab world's most esteemed singers, made a rare public appearance. Rahbani, also known as a political provocateur, died Saturday at age 69. The cause of death was not immediately known. His passing shocked much of the Arab world, which appreciated his satire, unapologetic political critique and avante-garde, jazz-inspired compositions that mirrored the chaos and contradictions of Lebanon throughout its civil war from 1975 until 1990. He also composed some of his mother's most famous songs. The Rahbani family was a cornerstone in Lebanon's golden era of music theater that today is steeped in idealism and nostalgia in a troubled country. Top Lebanese political officials and artists paid tribute after the death was announced. Rahbani, a leftist Greek Orthodox, often mocked Lebanon's sectarian divisions in his work. Hundreds of people holding roses and photos gathered by Khoury Hospital near Beirut's busy Hamra district, solemnly singing some of his most famous songs and applauding as a vehicle carrying his body left its garage. Reem Haidar, who grew up during the civil war, said Rahbani's songs and their messages were what she and others associated with at a time when there was 'no nation to belong to.' The vehicle made its way to a church in the mountainous town of Bikfaya before burial in the family cemetery. Fayrouz, 90, had spent many years away from the public eye. Wearing black sunglasses and a black veil, she greeted visitors who came to pay respects. She had not been seen publicly since photos surfaced of her meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited her residence in 2020 to award her France's highest medal of honor. In recent years, Rahbani also appeared less in the public eye, yet his influence never waned. Younger generations rediscovered his plays online and sampled his music in protest movements. He continued to compose and write, speaking often of his frustration with Lebanon's political stagnation and decaying public life. Rahbani is survived by his mother and his sister Reema and brother Hali.
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Lebanon mourns iconic composer Ziad Rahbani as mother Fayrouz makes rare appearance
BEIRUT (AP) — Hundreds of people in Lebanon paid tribute Monday to iconic composer, pianist and playwright Ziad Rahbani, who died over the weekend. His mother, Fayrouz, one of the Arab world's most esteemed singers, made a rare public appearance. Rahbani, also known as a political provocateur, died Saturday at age 69. The cause of death was not immediately known. His passing shocked much of the Arab world, which appreciated his satire, unapologetic political critique and avante-garde, jazz-inspired compositions that mirrored the chaos and contradictions of Lebanon throughout its civil war from 1975 until 1990. He also composed some of his mother's most famous songs. The Rahbani family was a cornerstone in Lebanon's golden era of music theater that today is steeped in idealism and nostalgia in a troubled country. Top Lebanese political officials and artists paid tribute after the death was announced. Rahbani, a leftist Greek Orthodox, often mocked Lebanon's sectarian divisions in his work. Hundreds of people holding roses and photos gathered by Khoury Hospital near Beirut's busy Hamra district, solemnly singing some of his most famous songs and applauding as a vehicle carrying his body left its garage. Reem Haidar, who grew up during the civil war, said Rahbani's songs and their messages were what she and others associated with at a time when there was 'no nation to belong to.' The vehicle made its way to a church in the mountainous town of Bikfaya before burial in the family cemetery. Fayrouz, 90, had spent many years away from the public eye. Wearing black sunglasses and a black veil, she greeted visitors who came to pay respects. She had not been seen publicly since photos surfaced of her meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited her residence in 2020 to award her France's highest medal of honor. In recent years, Rahbani also appeared less in the public eye, yet his influence never waned. Younger generations rediscovered his plays online and sampled his music in protest movements. He continued to compose and write, speaking often of his frustration with Lebanon's political stagnation and decaying public life. Rahbani is survived by his mother and his sister Reema and brother Hali.
