Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Music and Translation pp 343–381Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Music and the Natural World

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 803 Accesses

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Translating and Interpreting ((PTTI))

Abstract

This chapter considers the role of music in fostering communication between humans and non-human beings or their environment. It emphasises the role of ethnomusicologists and bio-musicians in mediating voices from the natural world. The challenges and limitations of these mediations are discussed, first in relation to the authenticity of the natural voices mediated, and secondly in view of the fact that non-human responses are either unknown or inexistent. The outputs of artists such as different as the classical composer Olivier Messiaen or the beat boxer Ben Mirin are examined with respect to giving a voice to animals in human music. The work of composer David Rothenberg who aims to engage in an interspecies dialogue through music is also analysed. The chapter ends on a section discussing the unique power of music in mediating stories from the non-human world that are increasingly enlarged beyond human-centred perspectives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    For the purpose of this chapter, we shall consider ‘nature’ and ‘the natural world’ as human cultural concepts referring to life forms and other reality which are neither human nor the product of human work, in spite of the fact that human beings also understand that they are part of that reality (see for instance Soper, 1995/2000, pp. 6–8).

References

  • Adams, J. L. (2009). The place where you go to listen. In search of an ecology of music. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adorno, T. W. (1941). On popular music. Studies in Philosophy and Social Sciences, IX(1), 17–18. Reprinted in Adorno, T. W. (2002). Essays on music. Selected, with introduction, commentary, and notes by R. Leppert. New translations by S. H. Gillespie. Berkeley: University of California Press, 437–469.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aloi, G. (2012). Art and animals. London: I. B. Tauris.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Anon. (2017). Music torture: How heavy metal broke Manuel Noriega. BBC News, May 30. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-40090809

  • Baker, S. (2013). Artist|Animal. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer, Y., Lacôte, T., & Brent Murray, C. (2018). Le modèle et l’invention, Olivier Messiaen et la technique de l’emprunt. Paris: Symétrie, collection ‘Symétrie Recherche, série 20–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateson, G. (1978). Steps to an ecology of mind: Collected essays in anthropology, psychiatry, evolution and epistemology. London: Paladin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer-Lechner, N. (2013). Malher on the third symphony. London: Faber & Faber.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin, W. (1923/2012). The task of the translator. In L. Venuti (Ed.), The translation studies reader (3rd ed., pp. 75–83). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berman, A. (1984). L’Épreuve de l’étranger. Culture et traduction dans l’Allemagne romantique. Paris: Gallimard.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blades, J. (2005). Percussion instruments and their history (2nd ed.). Westport, CT: The Bold Strummer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broglio, R. (2011). Surface encounters: Thinking with animals and art. Minnesota: University of Minneapolis Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carson, R. (1962/2000). Silent spring. London: Penguin Classics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clodoré-Tissot, T., Le Gonidec, M.-B., Ramseyer, D., & Anderes, C. (2009). Instruments sonores du Néolithique à l’Antiquité. Paris: Editions Société Préhistorique Française.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobley, P. (2016). Cultural implications of biosemiotics. Berlin: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Coomaraswamy, A. (1934). The transformation of nature in art. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cronin, M. (2017). Eco-translation: Translation and ecology in the age of the Anthropocene. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Debussy, C. (1913). Concerts Colonne – Société des Nouveaux Concerts. Revue Musicale, 11, 42–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Debussy, C. (1921). Gil Blas, 16 février 1903. M. F. Weingartner. Reprise de La Traviata à l’Opéra-Comique. In C. Debussy (Ed.), Monsieur Croche, antidilettante (pp. 83–86). Paris: Librairies Dorbon aîné. Nouvelle Revue Française (Les Bibliophiles Fantaisistes).

    Google Scholar 

  • Desblache, L. (Forthcoming). Music, natural history and translation. In K. Taivalkoski-Shilov (Ed.), Vita traductiva, special issue on Traduire les voix de la nature/Translating the voices of nature.

    Google Scholar 

  • Despret, V. (2016). What would animals say if we asked the right questions (B. Buchanan, Trans.). Minneapolis: Minnesota University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWeerdt, S. (2016). It’s not just noise that makes city birds sing a different tune. Conservation, May 3. Retrieved October 24, 2018, from http://www.conservationmagazine.org/2016/05/not-just-noise-makes-city-birds-sing-different-tune/

  • Dingle, C. (2016). Messiaen’s final works (p. Routledge). London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eco, U. (1979/1989). The open work (A. Cancogni, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feld, S. (1991). Voices of the Rainforest. Salem, MA: Rykodisc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, T., & Cory, L. (2015). Animal music: Sound and song in the natural world. London: Strange Attractor Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fudge, E. (2012). Renaissance animal things. New Formations, special issue on The Animal Turn, 76(Summer), 86–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gide, A. (1950). Littérature engagée. Paris: Gallimard.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gifford, T. (1999). Pastoral. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Glennie, E. (2005). Foreword. In D. Miell, R. MacDonald, & D. Hargreaves (Eds.), Musical communication (pp. v–viii). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, I., Logan, J., Harrison, M. B., Straus, S. E., Tetroe, J., Caswell, W., et al. (2006). Lost in knowledge translation: Time for a map? Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 26(1), 13–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haraway, D. (2008). When species meet. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartama-Heinonen, R. (2015). Herding together: On semiotic-translational branches, fields & disciplines. Punctum. International Journal of Semiotics, 1(2), 39–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Healy, G. (2013). Messiaen’s musical techniques. The composer’s views and beyond. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heesen, R., Hobaiter, C., Ferrer-i-Cancho, R., & Semple, S. (2019). Linguistic laws in chimpanzee gestural communication. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Publishing, 286, 20182900. Retrieved February 15, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.2900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hegel, G. W. (1979). Aesthetics. Lectures on fine art (T. A. Knox, Trans.). Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendy, D. (2013). Noise. A human history of sound and listening. London: Profile Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, M. (1996). Olivier Messiaen, the musical mediator. A study of the influence of Liszt, Debussy and Bartók. Madison, WI and London: Associated University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, D. (2010). The jukebox in the garden: Ecocriticism and American popular music since 1960. Amsterdam: Rodopi.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. (2019). Local volcano infrasound monitoring. Challenges in middle atmosphere dynamics and societal benefits. In A. Le Pichon, E. Blanc, & A. Hanchecorne (Eds.), Infrasound monitoring for atmospheric studies (pp. 989–1022). Berlin: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Julia Minors, H. (Ed.). (2013). Music, text and translation. London: Bloomsbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, D. (2013). Earth sound earth signal. Energies and earth magnitude in the arts. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kalia, A. (2018). Pet sounds: Why your dog loves listening to Bob Marley. The Guardian, November 2. Retrieved December 21, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/nov/02/pet-sounds-why-your-dog-loves-listening-to-bob-marley

  • Kraft, D. (2013). Birdsong in the music of Olivier Messiaen. London: Arosa Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, B. (2012/2013). The great animal orchestra. London: Profile Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laufer Krebs, B. (2015). Ron Howard interview: In the Heart of the Sea. Couch Potato, December 14. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from https://www.couchpotato.com/blog/ron-howard-interview-in-the-heart-of-the-sea/

  • Lestel, D. (2001). Les origines animales de la culture. Paris: Flammarion.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mâche, F.-B. (1972). La musique est une fonction biologique. Entretien de G.-J. Faccarello. Nouvelles littéraires, 2336(July), 20–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marais, K., & Kull, K. (2016). Biosemiotics and translation studies. In Y. Gambier & L. Van Doorslaer (Eds.), Border crossings: Translation studies and other disciplines (pp. 169–188). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Martinelli, D. (2007). Zoosemiotics: Proposals for a handbook. Imatra: International Semiotic Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinelli, D. (2009). Of birds, whales and other musicians: An introduction to zoomusicology. Scranton, PA: University of Scranton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melson, G. (2003). Child development and the human-companion animal bond. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 31–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1944/1956). Technique de mon langage musical. Paris: Alphonse Leduc. Translated by Satterfield, J. The technique of my musical language. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1994). Music and color. Conversations with Claude Samuel. Cleckheaton: Amadeus Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (2005). Traité de rythme, de couleur et d’ornithologie (Vol. 7). Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mithen, S. (2005). The singing Neanderthals. The origins of music, language, mind and body. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morley, I. (2013). The prehistory of music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Morton, T. (2009). Ecology without nature. Rethinking environmental aesthetics. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morton, T. (2013). Hyperobjects: Philosophy and ecology after the end of the world. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mourer-Chauviré, C. (1979). La chasse aux oiseaux pendant la préhistoire. La Recherche, 106(10), 1202–1210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrika, J. (2015). The anthrobscene. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinker, S. (1997). How the mind works. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reibel, E. (2016). Nature et musique. Paris: Fayard.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reybrouck, M. (2015). Music as environment: An ecological and biosemiotic approach. Behavioral Science, 5(1, March), 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, W. J., Greene Jr., C., Malme, C., & Thomson, D. (1995). Marine mammals and noise. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricoeur, P. (1978). The metaphorical process as cognition, imagination, and feeling. Critical Inquiry, special issue on Metaphor, 5(1), Autumn, 43–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricoeur, P. (1986). Fragile man (C. A. Kelbley, Trans.). New York: Fordham University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothenberg, D. (2005). Why birds sing. A journey into the mystery of bird song. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothenberg, D. (2008). Thousand mile song. Whale music in a sea of sound. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothenberg, D. (2014). Bug music. How insects gave us rhythm and Noise. London: Picador.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sillito, D. (2012). Animal art: Exhibition of painting by apes and elephants. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-16860961/animal-art-exhibition-of-paintings-by-apes-and-elephants

  • Simmonds, M. P., Dolman, S. J., Jasny, M., Parsons, E. C. M., Weilgart, L., Wright, A. J., et al. (2014). Marine noise pollution—Increasing recognition but need for more practical action. Journal of Ocean Technology, 9(1), 71–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soper, K. (1995/2000). What is nature? Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szendy, P. (2009). Listen: A history of our ears (C. Mandell, Trans.). New York: Fordham University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tagg, P. (1982). Nature as a musical mood category (pp. 1–25). IASPM Internal Publications, no. 8206. Göteborg: Institute of Musicology, University of Göteborg. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from http://tagg.org/articles/xpdfs/nature.pdf

  • Wallin, N., Merker, B., & Brown, S. (Eds.). (2000). The origins of music. Minneapolis: The University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, W. (2016). Expecting the earth. Life, culture, biosemiotics. Chadwell Heath: Lawrence and Wishart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woese, C. (2001). Translation: In retrospect and prospect. RNA, 7(8), 1055–1067.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yates, J. (2017). Of sheep, oranges, and yeast. A multispecies impression. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwart, H. (2008). Understanding nature. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

Creative Works

  • Adams, J. L. (2004/2006). The place where you go to listen. Fairbanks: University of Alaska Museum of the North.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adams, J. L. (2014). Become Ocean. New York: Cantaloupe Music.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anon. 13th century. Sumer Is Icumen In. Retrieved December 21, 2018, from http://www.sectioaurea.com/scuola/SUMER.htm

  • Ayres, R. (2005). The Cricket Recovers. Mainz: Schott.

    Google Scholar 

  • Björk (Björk Guðmundsdóttir). (1995/2011). Cover Me. Post. London: One Little Indian, arranged by Sen, J. for the Icelandic TV show Átta raddir, aired on February 27, 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackford, R., & Krause, B. (2014). The Great Animal Orchestra: Symphony for Orchestra and Wild Soundscapes. Wyastone Leys/Ganarew, Herefordshire: Nimbus Records.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boulez, P. (1985). Répons. Vienna: Universal Edition.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cage, J. (1975). Child of tree for solo percussion using amplified plant materials. Leipzig: Peters.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daquin, L. C. (1735). Le coucou. Paris: Durand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, J. (2003). Bird concerto with piano song. London: Faber Music.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, J. (2008). Speakings. London: Faber Music.

    Google Scholar 

  • In the heart of the Sea. (2015). Howard, R. (Director). New York: Warner Brothers/Village Roadshow Pictures/RatPac-Dune Entertainment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janequin, C. (1528/2003). Le Chant des oiseaux (J. Barbier, Ed.). Lyon: Editions A cœur joie.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levi, P. (1961). Survival in Auschwitz. The Nazi assault on humanity. New York: Collier Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mâche, F.-B. (1986). Eridan, Op. 57. Paris: Durand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahler, G. (1910). Symphony n°3 in D minor. Vienna: Weinberger and Doblinger/Universal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mda, Z. (2005). The whale caller. London: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1937). Oraison. In Fête des Belles Eaux, for six Ondes Martenot. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1953). Réveil des oiseaux, for piano solo and orchestra. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1959/1964). Catalogue d’oiseaux. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1983). Saint François d’Assise. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1986). Un vitrail et des oiseaux, for piano, wind ensemble and percussion. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiaen, O. (1987). La ville d’en haut, for piano and small orchestra. Paris: Alphonse Leduc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polwart, K., & Murphy, P. (2017). A Pocket of Wind Resistance. Sheffield: Hudson Records.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prokofiev, S. (1936). Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67. London: Boosey & Hawkes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quignard, P. (1996). La haine de la musique. Paris: Calmann-Lévy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rameau, J.-P. (1724/2014). Le Rappel des oiseaux. In Pièces de clavecin avec une méthode pour la mécanique des doigts. Montréal: Les Éditions Outremontaises.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rautavaara, E. (1972). Cantus Arcticus, Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, Op. 61. Helsinki: Fennica Gehrman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renard, J. (1925). Journal 1905–1910, 161–162. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from https://www.atramenta.net/lire/oeuvre4462-chapitre-4.html

  • Respighi, O. (1924). Pini di Roma. Vienna: Universal Music.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenberg, A. (1914). Pierrot lunaire, Op. 21. Vienna: Universal Music.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Revenant. (2015). González Iñárritu, A. (Director). West Hollywood: Regency Enterprises et al.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, C. (2013). Whispering in the Leaves. Retrieved October 25, 2018, from https://vimeo.com/76902842

Video/Radio Interviews and Performers’ Websites

Websites

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Media, Culture and Language, University of Roehampton, London, UK

    Lucile Desblache

Authors
  1. Lucile Desblache
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucile Desblache .

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Desblache, L. (2019). Music and the Natural World. In: Music and Translation. Palgrave Studies in Translating and Interpreting. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-54965-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-54965-5_9

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-54964-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-54965-5

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation