Sumatra Days, Sumatra Nights

Bernie Krause

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 2003)
• Original Release Date: January 1, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wild Sanctuary
• ASIN: B00008AIVG
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #334,931 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Renowned naturalist and sound designer Dr. Bernie Krause has traveled the world capturing the soundscapes of exotic natural environments. Dr. Krause began his groundbreaking work in bioacoustics and environmental recording in the late 1960’s, and much of his work has been accomplished with techniques and technologies that he personally developed. His "In A Wild Sanctuary" (1970) recording earned a place in history as being the first recording to use environmental sounds as both a central component of orchestration and as a statement about the environment.

Dr. Krause’s diverse achievements include 10 recordings for The Nature Company that have enjoyed over $24 million in gross sales over a period of 6 years. Development of the audio technology innovation known as the Intelligent Show System (for public exhibitions and installations), and his Music and Word Series of spoken word documents that include "Ishi – The Last Yahi." Dr. Krause recently published the book "Wild Soundscapes" (2002) that includes a full-length CD featuring a sampling of natural sounds.

Product Description
One of the few remaining areas where orangutans live, this habitat shrinks almost daily because of local population pressures. Yet, these fragile Indonesian rainforests harbor many wonderful creatures whose lives are constantly endangered. A rarely sighted clouded leopard came into view just before dusk one evening. The researcher, with whom I had been hiding on the trail, had tracked the animal for 6 months without ever catching so much as a glimpse. While sitting there quietly, the cat emerged from the forest and circled us slowly and deliberately three times before disappearing, again, into the dense undergrowth. You can almost hear us catch our collective breaths on this recording.

SUMATRA DAYS/SUMATRA NIGHTS. One of the few small biological islands left intact in Indonesia, the ever-shrinking research site where this recording was made, is under constant pressure from local populations who need access to its fragile resources for warmth and food. For a few days during our lengthy visit, we have been particularly lucky. We found a time and location within this lush forest where there was little interference from either the road or stream or other human noises – all some miles from where we hiked. This soundscape presents a vivid impression of what magic must have been conveyed in this spot as recently as the past few decades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic natural sounds, January 29, 2006

By	Deborah Hougland (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This recording of the Sumatran rain forest is wonderfully relaxing to listen to at the office, while travelling or at home. If you are looking for the authentic sounds of the rain forest this recording captures it beautifully. One can hear the subtle rustling of leaves as rain begins slowly and then accelerates into a downpour in the middle of the day. One can hear the chortling of orangatangs in the forest and other animals as they move throughtout the forest in a cacophony of sounds. Overall the effect is magical and very peaceful as we enter unobtrusively into this zone of tranquillity.