Stewart Copeland, known for his legendary drumming with The Police alongside Andy Summers and Sting, has joined forces with naturalist Martyn Stewart to create a unique album. Titled “Wild Concerto,” the album features recordings of animal sounds, some from species now extinct or endangered, blended with music.
Martyn Stewart has spent decades traveling the globe, collecting nearly 100,000 recordings of wildlife. This album uses those sounds. Copeland, inspired by the raw animal sounds, writes the accompanying music. For instance, the album includes a track based on the scream of the piha bird.
Turning Animal Sounds into Music
The duo collaborated at Abbey Road Studios, a place made famous by The Beatles. They aimed to create a concerto from animal sounds. The album highlights various animals, such as hyenas and arctic wolves, alongside orchestral music. These unique pairings let the listener experience the power of these creatures through music.
Copeland shared that the sound of wolves inspired him to pair them with a trombone in their track. This blending lets the animals’ calls transform into what he describes as operatic performances.
Copeland’s Journey from Drummer to Composer
After The Police disbanded in 1986, Copeland quickly transitioned to composing. Influential filmmaker Francis Coppola hired him due to Copeland’s sense of rhythm. His first film score was for “Rumble Fish.” Over time, Copeland wrote classical music and embraced the orchestra, discovering a new passion beyond drumming.
He explained that while his father envisioned him as a jazz musician, his mother’s influence with composers like Debussy and Ravel guided him towards orchestral music. This duality between rock and classical influences is evident in his latest work.
Martyn Stewart’s Life Mission
Martyn Stewart has recorded the sounds of nature for over six decades. Beginning in childhood, he captured sounds in Bluebell Woods, later turning this hobby into a career. His mission has always been to protect the natural world.
Stewart believes audio recordings are a planet’s barometer, conveying the environment’s health. His work has increasingly focused on highlighting the urgent need for conservation.
Facing Extinction and Mortality
Martyn Stewart’s work highlights the decline in global wildlife populations. For example, he possesses the last-known audio of the golden Panamanian frog and other endangered species.
Though recently diagnosed with cancer, Stewart remains focused on preserving his life’s work. He emphasizes “Wild Concerto” as a call to action, aiming to generate awareness and appreciation for endangered species through music.
Both Copeland and Stewart hope this project captivates listeners and inspires them to cherish and protect the natural world.