Stewart Copeland, the renowned drummer from the legendary rock band The Police, has ventured into a unique musical project that combines the sounds of wild animals with orchestral music. His latest album, “Wild Concerto,” is a collaboration with naturalist Martyn Stewart and features recordings of hyenas, owls, howler monkeys, and many other creatures. This album is not only a musical experience but also a call to raise awareness about endangered species and the ongoing loss of wildlife.
“Wild Concerto” is based on Martyn Stewart’s extensive archive of nearly 100,000 recordings collected over decades of traveling across the globe. Stewart’s dedication to capturing the voices of animals—some now extinct or endangered—provides the raw material for Copeland’s compositions. The album was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios, where Copeland transformed these natural sounds into a symphonic experience, treating the animals as soloists and letting their calls guide the choice of instruments.
Copeland explained that animal sounds dictated the orchestration. For example, arctic wolves’ howls were paired with trombone sections, creating a haunting blend that captures the spirit of these wild creatures. The album highlights various species, including rare and unusual birds like the screaming piha and marbled frogmouth, as well as powerful mammals like hyenas. Copeland even shared how he and his wife have incorporated hyena love sounds into their relationship, showing the deep connection he developed with the animal kingdom through this project.
Martyn Stewart’s life work has been driven by his passion for nature since childhood when he first began recording birds near his home in England. Now based in Florida, he continues to monitor wildlife daily, using sound as an indicator of environmental health. Stewart fears that mass extinction is imminent if humanity continues its current path but hopes that “Wild Concerto” will inspire listeners to appreciate and protect nature’s fragile beauty.
The album serves as both an artistic tribute and an urgent message about conservation. By merging music and natural soundscapes, Copeland and Stewart aim to reach audiences who might not otherwise pay attention to wildlife sounds or environmental issues. Their collaboration brings a fresh perspective on how music can connect us emotionally to the natural world and encourage action to save it.
Copeland’s transition from rock drummer to composer demonstrates his evolving musical journey influenced by jazz, classical composers like Stravinsky, and rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix. This diverse background allowed him to approach “Wild Concerto” with creativity and respect for both music and nature. The project also honors Martyn Stewart’s lifelong dedication to preserving animal voices before they disappear forever.
In sum, “Wild Concerto” is a groundbreaking fusion of wildlife recordings and orchestral music that celebrates Earth’s biodiversity while highlighting urgent conservation challenges. It invites listeners to hear the planet through its creatures’ voices and appreciate the complex beauty of nature’s own orchestra.
