Miguel Kertsman Unveils Monumental 'Amazônia: Music for a Changing World' with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, Championing Global Environmental Stewardship

Brazilian-American composer Miguel Kertsman officially premiered his latest monumental work, titled «Amazônia: Music for a Changing World,» on November 7, 2025. This ambitious and deeply resonant project, which encompasses five distinct, large-scale orchestral canvases, represents a significant contribution to contemporary classical repertoire. The entire recording process was meticulously executed under Kertsman’s personal supervision and artistic direction, ensuring the integrity of his vision. The performance featured the internationally acclaimed Bruckner Orchestra Linz, with the esteemed Dennis Russell Davies leading the ensemble as conductor. Furthermore, the release was elevated by the exceptional contributions of several distinguished soloists, including the virtuoso flutist Wolfgang Schulz, the celebrated soprano Katarzyna Dondalska, and the accomplished violist Krista Ratzenböck, all of whom lent their considerable talents to bring this complex score to life.

The album was released globally by Navona Records, making it accessible to audiences worldwide in both digital streaming and physical CD formats. Kertsman has deliberately positioned this creation as far more than just a significant musical event; it functions, rather, as a powerful and immediate artistic response to some of the most pressing global challenges facing humanity today. The entire composition serves as an extensive and profound musical tribute dedicated specifically to the preservation of the Amazon rainforests, thereby underscoring Kertsman’s unwavering, long-standing commitment to the critical cause of environmental protection and sustainability. The composer, who has established his primary residence in Vienna for well over a decade, maintains a highly visible and influential position within the landscape of contemporary academic music.

Kertsman’s distinctive creative signature is celebrated for its rich and sophisticated synthesis of diverse musical influences. His compositions seamlessly incorporate sophisticated elements drawn from jazz, high-energy rock-fusion, and modern electronica, building upon his extensive professional background composing scores for films. Kertsman himself clearly articulated that his core objective in creating this work was to transform the critical, urgent necessity of preserving the fragile Brazilian forests into tangible, emotionally resonant sonic imagery. In doing so, he aimed to offer direct artistic reinforcement and advocacy for this vital global mission. This specific methodology, where high art directly engages with and responds to complex global dilemmas, effectively opens up new and crucial avenues for understanding the contemporary artist’s evolving role in addressing societal and ecological issues.

This is not the first instance of the composer demonstrating his profound involvement with ecological themes. For example, in 2022, Kertsman actively participated in a specific project focused on conserving biodiversity across South America. During this initiative, his musical compositions were strategically utilized as a tool to attract the necessary attention and secure crucial funding from various international foundations. The successful launch of «Amazônia» now stands as a powerful example of how individual artistic mastery and technical skill can be channeled effectively to amplify collective global awareness regarding the health and future of our planet.

Born from a deep, visceral emotional response to the current precarious state of the global environment, this expansive musical work serves as an immediate and compelling call to action for listeners everywhere. It actively urges the audience to feel a profound resonance with the necessity of careful stewardship and respectful handling of the delicate ecological balance that fundamentally defines our shared global habitat. By successfully merging high-level orchestral performance with an unambiguous, urgent environmental message, Kertsman has delivered a piece that is simultaneously aesthetically rich, intellectually stimulating, and socially relevant, prompting essential reflection on our collective responsibility toward the natural world.