The Essay: Sounds of Isolation

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The Essay: Sounds of Isolation: The Wake

Sounds of Isolation

The Wake

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, Sounds of Isolation, The Wake

The songs of invisible birds are captured in the isolation of a lake in Finland.

Inspired by a painting of Lake Keitele by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest in Finland to capture the voices of a vast isolated lake.

For many of us, isolation is disconcerting and challenging, but for wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson, it is something he actively seeks, so he can fully immerse himself in a place and capture its unique sounds in his recordings. 

In the third of five illustrated essays, Chris vividly recalls his quest to capture the voices of a black throated diver or, 'musta kuikka', on an isolated lake in Finland having been inspired by a painting of Lake Keitele by Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Surrounded by a vast forest, he experiences a powerful sense and spirit of place as he watches, waits and listens. 

Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Chris Watson recalls his quests to record sound in some of nature's most isolated places.

In a series of five illustrated essays, wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson recalls his quests around the world to record in some of nature's most isolated places.

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