Sounds Of Isolation

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

The Great White Silence

20211101

20231225 (R3)

In the first of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls a trip to Antarctica, to a landscape which has been described as The Great White Silence' to record one of the greatest transitional events on the planet; the sounds of a glacier being transformed over the Antarctic summer from a solid mountain of freshwater ice into the salt water of the Ross Sea.

Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol. Photo courtesy Chris Watson.

Chris Watson vividly recalls how he captured the sounds of 'The Great White Silence'.

In the first of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls a trip to Antarctica, to a landscape which has been described as ‘The Great White Silence' to record one of the greatest transitional events on the planet; the sounds of a glacier being transformed over the Antarctic summer from a solid mountain of freshwater ice into the salt water of the Ross Sea.

Wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest to capture the sounds of a glacier calving in 'The Great White Silence' of Antarctica.

Island Isolation

20211102

20231226 (R3)

In the second of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls an exhausting and chilling climb to the pinnacle of Skellig Michael, an isolated rock which rises over 700ft out of the Atlantic Ocean off the south west coast of Ireland to capture the wailing cries of the inhabitants which return here at night under the cover of darkness.

Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol.

A quest for nocturnal sounds at the pinnacle of an isolated sea rock as sirens sing below.

Lured first by sirens at its base, sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest to capture the wild nocturnal cries at the pinnacle of an isolated sea rock.

The Wake

20211103

20231227 (R3)

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.

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.

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 a 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.

Voices In The Dark

20211104

20231228 (R3)

In the fourth of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls his quest to record wild voices in the darkness and isolation of Dryburn Moor in Northumberland. It can be a real challenge to find a truly isolated place in the UK, but here on the high Pennines, Chris was rewarded with a serenade of birds, which he can hear but can't see until the night evolves into day.

Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol.

As wreathes of mist lift from a moorland, birdsong is captured in the darkness.

Wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest to record wild voices heard in the darkness and isolation of a Northumberland moor.

05 LAST

Journey To The Centre Of The Earth

20211105

20231229 (R3)

In the last of five illustrated essays, Chris vividly recalls his quest to capture the sounds of isolation when he goes in search of the entrance to the centre of the earth. Inspired by Jules Verne's novel he travels from sea level to volcanic crater drawn by the unique sounds of Iceland.

Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol.

From sea level to volcanic crater in search of the entrance to the centre of the earth.

Inspired by Jules Verne's novel, sound recordist Chris Watson recalls his quest to capture the sounds of isolation as he searches for the entrance to the centre of the earth.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	The Great White Silence	20211101	20231225 (R3)	In the first of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls a trip to Antarctica, to a landscape which has been described as The Great White Silence' to record one of the greatest transitional events on the planet; the sounds of a glacier being transformed over the Antarctic summer from a solid mountain of freshwater ice into the salt water of the Ross Sea. Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol. Photo courtesy Chris Watson. Chris Watson vividly recalls how he captured the sounds of 'The Great White Silence'. In the first of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls a trip to Antarctica, to a landscape which has been described as ‘The Great White Silence' to record one of the greatest transitional events on the planet; the sounds of a glacier being transformed over the Antarctic summer from a solid mountain of freshwater ice into the salt water of the Ross Sea. Wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest to capture the sounds of a glacier calving in 'The Great White Silence' of Antarctica.
02	Island Isolation	20211102	20231226 (R3)	In the second of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls an exhausting and chilling climb to the pinnacle of Skellig Michael, an isolated rock which rises over 700ft out of the Atlantic Ocean off the south west coast of Ireland to capture the wailing cries of the inhabitants which return here at night under the cover of darkness. Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol. A quest for nocturnal sounds at the pinnacle of an isolated sea rock as sirens sing below. Lured first by sirens at its base, sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest to capture the wild nocturnal cries at the pinnacle of an isolated sea rock.
03	The Wake	20211103	20231227 (R3)	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. 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. 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 a 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.
04	Voices In The Dark	20211104	20231228 (R3)	In the fourth of five illustrated essays, Chris recalls his quest to record wild voices in the darkness and isolation of Dryburn Moor in Northumberland. It can be a real challenge to find a truly isolated place in the UK, but here on the high Pennines, Chris was rewarded with a serenade of birds, which he can hear but can't see until the night evolves into day. Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol. As wreathes of mist lift from a moorland, birdsong is captured in the darkness. Wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson vividly recalls his quest to record wild voices heard in the darkness and isolation of a Northumberland moor.
05 LAST	Journey To The Centre Of The Earth	20211105	20231229 (R3)	In the last of five illustrated essays, Chris vividly recalls his quest to capture the sounds of isolation when he goes in search of the entrance to the centre of the earth. Inspired by Jules Verne's novel he travels from sea level to volcanic crater drawn by the unique sounds of Iceland. Produced by Sarah Blunt for BBC Audio in Bristol. From sea level to volcanic crater in search of the entrance to the centre of the earth. Inspired by Jules Verne's novel, sound recordist Chris Watson recalls his quest to capture the sounds of isolation as he searches for the entrance to the centre of the earth.