Jean-Paul Dessy: Voices of the Animals

A selection of animal sounds was collected and sampled as if they were notes on an orchestral score. This 'animal music' was then reproduced and human instrumentalists played their classical score in dialogue with it. In this way, the animals become musicians and a fusional dialogue is created with the human musicians. The Bat's song used the bats' ultrasounds and slows them down extremely to bring those within the range audible to humans. These 'songs of the inaudible' are then combined to create a real choir, blending with the discreet voice of the cello. Fable Ineffable features the songs of whales, dolphins and wolves, accompanied by a string orchestra. This work explores the spiritual connection between humans and animals. Rest Forest is an ode to our mammal brothers and uses their voices to create a peaceful atmosphere. It includes sounds of bears, jackals, elephants and lynx, among others. The Prey's Prayer is an imaginary aviary made up of sampled songs and incognito flutes. The piece is akin to a bird's meditation on the human condition. Or the other way round