A Requiem for Meters: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra showcase their unique talents by performing with makeshift instruments made from disused gas and electricity meters
- Skilled musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played a three-minute piece on the makeshift instruments
- One-of-a-kind concert saw orchestra play electric meter violins, empty gas meter cellos and a custom timpani drum
- Musicians played to mark passing of analogue meters, coming of smart meters and the end of estimated energy bills
- The final product was fittingly dubbed 'A Requiem for Meters' and a recording of it was made at Abbey Road Studios
A group of skilled musicians showcased their unique talent by performing an unusual and quirky recital with old gas and electricity meters.
The musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played a three-minute piece on the makeshift instruments at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London to mark the passing of analogue meters, the coming of smart meters and the end of estimated energy bills.
The one-of-a-kind concert saw the orchestra play electric meter violins, empty gas meter cellos and a timpani drum made from 18 meters welded together.
The musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played a three-minute piece on the makeshift instruments at Abbey Road Studios
Unique sound: Percussionists from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform using analogue energy meter instruments in Studio Two
Percussionist Gillian McDonagh performs on an analogue meter instrument during the recording of the one-of-a-kind track
Cellist Roberto Sorrentino performs on a cello made from a disused analogue meter to mark the coming of smart meters
The final product was fittingly dubbed 'A Requiem for Meters' and a recording of it was made at the studios, which were made famous by The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Kate Bush.
Chris Egan, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's conductor, said: 'Abbey Road Studio Two has been the site of some extraordinary experimental recordings over the years.
'But this recital played entirely with instruments made from old gas and electricity meters is perhaps one of the most unusual.
'It has been great fun to conduct and I think we have ended up with the perfect soundtrack to mark the passing of old meters and the coming of smart meters.'
Howard McGill plays a gas meter flute while performing the track, which was fittingly dubbed 'A Requiem for Meters'
The track was composed to raise awareness of the rollout of smart meters, which are set to replace gas and electricity meters in every UK home by 2020
Howard McGill plays a wind instrument while performing the track, which marked the passing of analogue meters and the end of estimated energy bills
'A Requiem for Meters' was composed to raise awareness of the rollout of smart meters, which are set to replace gas and electricity meters in every UK home by 2020.
The piece of music, written by award-winning British musician and filmmaker Gary Tarn, has been released as a free track on Spotify.
National campaign Smart Energy GB, which organised the stunt, said smart meters will bring an end to estimated energy bills.
They will also let people see exactly how much they spend on power and heating in pounds and pence.
Cellist Roberto Sorrention and Bassist Benjamin Cunningham (back) perform the track written by award-winning British musician and filmmaker Gary Tarn
The fab four: Members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra copy the famous Beatles album cover on the zebra crossing outside Abbey Road studios
National campaign Smart Energy GB, which organised the stunt, said smart meters will bring an end to estimated energy bills
Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Smart Energy GB, said: 'I'm very excited to be part of this project.
'It's fantastic to see and hear these incredible instruments made from old analogue meters.
'This project has brought together the skills of some of the best instrument makers in the country with our finest musicians to record this beautiful and unusual piece of music.'
She concluded by saying that the track 'will mark a momentous transformation, taking place in every home in the country.'
Percussionist Gillian McDonagh plays the unique piece of music, which has been released as a free track on Spotify
Chief executive of Smart Energy GB said the project has brought together the skills of some of the best instrument and finest musicians
Smart Energy GB will let people see exactly how much they spend on power and heating in pounds and pence
Most watched News videos
- Shocking moment woman is abducted by man in Oregon
- British Army reveals why Household Cavalry horses escaped
- Moment escaped Household Cavalry horses rampage through London
- New AI-based Putin biopic shows the president soiling his nappy
- Prison Break fail! Moment prisoners escape prison and are arrested
- Ammanford school 'stabbing': Police and ambulance on scene
- Wills' rockstar reception! Prince of Wales greeted with huge cheers
- Shadow Transport Secretary: Labour 'can't promise' lower train fares
- All the moments King's Guard horses haven't kept their composure
- Columbia protester calls Jewish donor 'a f***ing Nazi'
- Helicopters collide in Malaysia in shocking scenes killing ten
- Shocking moment pandas attack zookeeper in front of onlookers