Episode 1

Read by Nigel Lindsay.

A fascinating and unique exploration of nature's music, from plants and animals to wind and rain

Bernie Krause is the world's leading expert in natural sound. He has spent the last 40 years recording ecological soundscapes and has archived the sounds of over 15,000 species - half of the wild soundscapes he has on tape don't exist anymore because of human actions.

In The Great Animal Orchestra he invites us to listen through his ears to all three as he showcases singing trees, contrasting coasts, and the roar of the modern world. Just as streetlights engulf the stars, Krause argues that human noise is drowning out the sounds of nature, but that our focus on the visual today is blinding us to this.The Great Animal Orchestra shows why it is critical to preserve what remaining soundscapes we have, and will make you hear the world entirely differently.

Written by Bernie Krause
Adapted by Polly Coles

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.