Earth Month is celebrated annually in April to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainability. It is a time for individuals, organisations and communities to come together and take action to protect the planet.

Earth Day, which falls on April 22, is the highlight of Earth Month and is observed by people all around the world.

During the month itself, people participate in various activities such as planting trees, cleaning up litter and conserving energy.

Earth Month is an opportunity to learn about the impact of human actions on the environment and to take steps towards a more sustainable future.

The history of Earth Month dates to 1970 when the first Earth Day was celebrated in the US. The idea of Earth Day was proposed by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to create a day of environmental education and activism.

The first Earth Day was a huge success, with millions of people participating in rallies, protests, and other events across the country.

This led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of numerous environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.

In 1990, Earth Day went global, with over 200 million people in 141 countries participating in events and activities to promote environmental awareness.

This sparked the idea of Earth Month, which was first celebrated in 1991.

Since then, Earth Month has become a worldwide event, with millions of people participating in activities such as beach cleanups, tree plantings, and recycling drives.

In honour of Earth Month, let’s explore some of the best scores from nature documentaries.

‘LIFE ON EARTH’ – EDWARD WILLIAMS

Life On Earth is a landmark natural history documentary series that premiered in 1979. It was written and presented by David Attenborough, who travelled around the world for three years to film it.

The series featured never-before-seen animal behaviours and impressive photography, which included groundbreaking special effects and time-lapse footage that propelled the BBC Natural History Unit to become leaders in natural history filmmaking.

Life On Earth was a pivotal project for composer Edward Williams and his experimental score provided a fresh backdrop to the cinematography.

His original score was released in a private pressing of 100 vinyl copies and only made public in 2009 by Trunk Records. William’s score was innovative for its use of the VCS 3 synthesiser in addition to classic orchestral instruments.

The opening fanfare, “Life On Earth Begins In The Sun’s Energy” is a stirring, agitated piece reminiscent of something British composer Gustav Holst might have sketched for his symphony The Planets.

Paired with ecstatic imagery of solar flares, the short, punctuated motifs of the woodwinds and brass sections elegantly welcome us to the story of life on earth.

‘PLANET EARTH II’ – HANS ZIMMER

Planet Earth II is a highly acclaimed documentary series presented by Attenborough.

It was produced by the BBC and first aired in 2016. The series is a follow-up to the original Planet Earth series that was released in 2006.

Planet Earth II is a visually stunning masterpiece that explores the diversity of life on our planet. It features breathtaking cinematography that captures the natural habitats and behaviours of a wide range of animals, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.

Hans Zimmer's score for Planet Earth II is a masterpiece of orchestration and mood-setting. It is both subtle and powerful, seamlessly blending electronic and orchestral elements to create a powerful sense of wonder.

The score perfectly captures the drama, excitement, and beauty of the natural world, evoking a range of emotions in viewers.

One of the most memorable pieces in the score is "Planet Earth II Suite", which features soaring strings, pulsing percussion and ethereal vocals.

This piece perfectly captures the majesty and grandeur of the natural world, with its sweeping melodies and epic crescendos.

‘BLUE PLANET’ – GEORGE FENTON

Blue Planet is a BBC nature documentary series that explores the world's oceans and their inhabitants. The series is hosted by Attenborough and has been praised for its stunning cinematography and in-depth exploration of the world's marine ecosystems.

The show's focus on the impact of human activity on the oceans has made it a powerful tool for raising awareness about the dangers of pollution, overfishing and climate change.

It has inspired many people to take action to protect our oceans, from reducing plastic waste to supporting sustainable fishing practices.

Blue Planet has also helped to shed light on the fascinating and often mysterious world that exists beneath the waves. From the bioluminescent creatures of the deep sea to the playful antics of dolphins and whales, the show has captured the incredible diversity and beauty of marine life.

George Fenton's score for the Blue Planet perfectly complements the stunning visuals of the ocean's depths, adding an emotional weight to the natural beauty on display.

The use of orchestral instruments, such as strings and brass, creates a sense of grandeur and wonder, while the inclusion of electronic elements adds a futuristic and otherworldly feel.

The opening theme, “The Blue Planet”, is a prime example of the possibilities of scoring nature films. It opens with a stirring choir melody and finally reaches a dramatic and powerful climax with the full power of the brass.

‘FROZEN PLANET’ – GEORGE FENTON

Frozen Planet is a British nature documentary series co-produced by the BBC and The Open University.

Narrated by Attenborough, this seven-part series focuses on life and the environment in both the Arctic and Antarctic, showcasing the changing seasons and wildlife behaviours in the polar regions.

The series was filmed by the BBC Natural History Unit and is a sequel to the award-winning series The Blue Planet and Planet Earth.

The aim of the team behind Frozen Planet was to film a comprehensive record of the natural history of the polar regions, as climate change is affecting landforms such as glaciers, ice shelves, and the extent of sea ice.

The documentary series presents intimate stories and surprising truths about nature, science, and the human experience. Attenborough travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic to discover magical new ice worlds inhabited by the most extraordinary animal survivors on Earth.

Fenton's score for Frozen Planet seamlessly blends with the stunning visuals of the documentary, creating an immersive experience for the viewer. His use of strings, brass, and percussion evokes a range of emotions from wonder and awe to tension and suspense.

One of the standout pieces in the score is "Leaping Penguins", which features a buoyant string section punctuated by playful interjections by the trumpets accompanied by none other than the leaping penguins of the polar ice.

‘KOYAANISQATSI’ – PHILIP GLASS

Koyaanisqatsi is a non-narrative film directed by Godfrey Reggio that explores the relationship between nature, technology, and society. The title comes from the Hopi language and translates to "life out of balance".

Through a series of visually stunning time-lapse and slow-motion sequences, the film contrasts the beauty and harmony of nature with the chaos and destruction caused by human progress.

The film's stunning cinematography and haunting soundtrack by Philip Glass make for an immersive and thought-provoking viewing experience.

Koyaanisqatsi challenges viewers to reflect on the impact of modern society on the natural world and to consider the consequences of our actions.

Despite being released in 1982, Koyaanisqatsi remains relevant today as concerns about climate change and environmental degradation continue to grow. It serves as a powerful reminder of the delicate balance that exists between humanity and the natural world – and the importance of preserving that balance for future generations.

‘OPÉRA SAUVAGE’ – VANGELIS

Opéra Sauvage is a French documentary series produced by Frédéric Rossif in the late 1970s to early 80s. It explores the relationship between man, music and animals from various regions around the world.

The series has a total of 21 episodes featuring several exotic locations such as Peru, Venezuela, India, and Indonesia.

Despite being an underrated gem, the series was a unique production, focusing on the beauty of nature and animals, and the connection between man and the wild.

The musical score for the series was provided by Greek musician Vangelis Papathanassiou. The album Opéra Sauvage also includes some of the music from the series.

The Greek composer's electronic music perfectly captures the essence of the natural world that the film depicts. From the opening track, "Hymne", with its soaring synths and ethereal vocals, to the haunting "L'enfant", Vangelis's music creates a sense of wonder and awe.

THE NATURE OF IT ALL

While the cinematography of nature documentaries continues to expand thanks to the exponential development of camera technology, the scores of nature documentaries remain an integral component.

The ability to capture the brilliant spectrum of drama in the natural world and transform it into music is nothing short of magical.

Spend some time this month exploring the wonders of film music composed for nature documentaries and enjoy the wonderful environments of planet Earth.

For more articles celebrating music and nature, read:

• Nicholas Dallwitz on Making Music Inspired by Nature as Florigenix
• Exploring The Beauty And Mystery Of Whale Songs, Nature’s Greatest Hit

Cover Credit: Jenc Loo/Sound of Life

Celebrate nature’s world of sound at Soundtrack: Earth

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Writer | Edward Bond

Edward Bond is a multi-instrumentalist composer, performer, and writer currently bouncing between Trondheim and Berlin. He apparently has the eyes of the devil, enjoys leopard prints, and will read your tarot, but not your future.