Nature inspired composition?

The Passing of the Year (Any of the songs in the cycle... especially "Ring out... Wild bells!") by Johnathon Dove.

I think Rautavaara's Cantus Arcticus, a concerto for orchestra and recorded songs of Arctic birds, would be most suitable for the occasion. It's a beautiful work and the element of nature is most evident. If you could somehow find the taped material, it would be great. There is also Messiaen's "Oiseaux Exotiques" if there is a pianist available. I don't know the exact instrumentation of the above works so I can't tell whether the classical orchestra you have available can play these or not. Jules Massenet "Meditation" from his opera "Thaϊs" or "The Lark Ascending" by Vaughan Williams would also be suitable pieces, but you need a violinist...

Alexandros

Mahler--"Das Lied Von der Erde" (Song to the earth)

Sibelius, Brahms, and Mahler all composed very nature-inspired music. Their symphonies I would especially recommend.

Originally Posted by Zetetic

Hmmm. I was going to suggest lots of things, but then I read that the childrens' choir needed to be incorporated.

It doesn't need to. But they are available.
So could you elaborate on "lots of things" ?

Mahler "Das Lied Von der Erde". I just listened to it. Wonderful, I love it!

Vivaldi "Four seasons" is great, but I think it is TOO popular, and there is no way I can match the recorded performance that people here are used to listen on CD

I wonder where can I find Cantus Arcticus

Any suggestion for an organ work?

Messiaen would be an obvious choice for gorgeous organ works with strong references to nature (bird calls etc.)

Look into Sue Hopkins.

She has written a couple of pieces which have been arranged for dozens of different settings.

She did a recording with the Dalai Lama's Tibetan Monks where they chanted their sacred chant and she had didgeridoo and cello accompanying.

She loves the Harmonic Series - Virtually obsessed with them.

Interesting music. For what you want, this is possibly THE best place to start.

Chris :-)

Sorry... Mental slip. SARAH Hopkins. Not sue.

Mahler "Das Lied Von der Erde". I just listened to it. Wonderful, I love it!

Glad you liked it fauzie