蜜芽传媒

Music is thought to be a phenomenon unique to humans. But does it echo much deeper into the story of life on earth? Ben Garrod, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of East Anglia is on a mission to uncover a world of unexpected rhythm and melody across nature and in doing so, question our assumptions about the boundaries of musical expression and its role.

From melodic songbirds, to frogs chirping through the night, to whales mournfully calling across the oceans, nature is full of fantastic music. Not all of it sounds pleasant to the human ear, yet it's hard not to admire the way animals make such complex and astounding noises. In his search to discover if musicality is something with a long evolutionary history that we share with other animals, Ben begins by exploring the blurred line where noise meets music, cacophony slips into melody and racket is replaced by rhythm.

With contributions from naturalist and musician Prof. David Rothenberg from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Dr Emily Doolittle, Athenaeum Research Fellow and lecturer in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Written and presented by Professor Ben Garrod
Produced by Adrian Washbourne
Mixed by Julian Mayers
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
A YadaYada Production for 蜜芽传媒 Radio 3