Michael Begg is an award winning composer, sound artist, and musician based in East Lothian, Scotland. Known for his experimental and evocative work, Begg blends formal composition with electronic manipulation, field recordings, and data-driven soundscapes, often exploring themes of environmental change and solastalgia—the distress caused by environmental decline.
Begg’s work increasingly engages with science and climate issues. Notable residencies include:
* European Marine Board (2021): Produced Light Water Is Black Water, using data on sea ice decline, performed during COP26.
* Ocean ARTic Partnership (2021): Collaborated with scientists to create music from polar research.
* Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute (2024): As the first musician in residence, Begg spent two months in Antarctica, capturing sounds to inform his latest works.
His data composition process transforms scientific data into music, aiming to engage audiences with climate science without overt activism.
During his residency with the European Marine Board his work was recognised as an action towards achieving the objectives of the European Commissions "Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters", specifically contributing to the enabler "Public mobilisation and engagement".
Website: https://michaelbegg.studio
