Celebrated as much for his human rights work as his reputation as a distinguished man of letters, Julian Burnside, QC, is also a passionate patron of classical music.

He is also an advocate of wind farms and has now combined his two passions by commissioning a classical work that takes a stab at the federal government's stance on green energy.

Julian Burnside with the Seraphim Trio, who performed the world premiere of Lyle Chan's composition. Credit:Pat Scala

Called Wind Farm Music, Dedicated to Tony Abbott, the piece had its world premiere on Wednesday in Melbourne when it was played by the Seraphim Trio.

"It's a specific response to Tony Abbott's rather fatuous statement that wind farms are ugly," Burnside said of his latest project.