The piece "Emerald Creatures" by Marco Nussbaumer is an approx. 13-minute piece written for an extended wind orchestra. It thematizes the emerald region of Oberaargau and the animal world that is native to it. The programming of the piece focuses mainly on the large sections, leaving enough space for the listeners to create their own ideas and thoughts.
In the first part, a lively soundscape emerges, describing the beauty and power of nature. The area is rich in small streams and ponds, which provide habitats for special species of animals such as the glöggli frog or the kingfisher. The air is filled with humming and buzzing sounds, and one experiences the flight of an azure damselfly, a rare dragonfly species, at close range.
The second part addresses the many threats facing this unique natural area. These include the spread of invasive plant species, rising temperatures, long periods of drought, and the decline of biodiversity - all consequences of human activity.
Thanks to the committed and coordinated efforts of the "Smaragd-Gebiet Oberaargau" association, various projects have already been implemented to preserve this habitat and its species. The joy about these successes is expressed in the third part of the composition.
Marco Nussbaumer, the composer of the piece, has created with "Emerald Creatures" a sonic journey that captures the nature of the Smaragdgebiet Oberaargau and reflects the challenges as well as the positive efforts for its preservation.
