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The Arctic

Andy Kershaw and Lucy Duran explore the music of Arctic communities, visiting Greenland, Norway, Canada and Siberia.

For this major series to accompany Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One's 'Human Planet', Andy Kershaw and Lucy Duran go in search of music from some of the world's remotest locations.. This week: the Arctic.

Greenland: Lucy greets the New Year with music, and hears the mighty voice of Greenland's greatest singer, Rasmus Lyberth.

Norway: Andy goes reindeer-herding under the midnight sun with Human Planet's May-Torril, who also happens to be an accomplished singer in the Sami tradition of yoiking.

Canada: Inuit singer Tanya Tagaq introduces us to her village in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and sings the intensely soulful music of the western Inuit.

Siberia: Andy meets musicians from Yakutsk, the coldest city on earth, where long winter nights are whiled away with the help of a Jew's harp.

Producers Roger Short and James Parkin.

Available now

1 hour

Last on

Sat 29 Jan 2011 15:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Clips

See all clips from The Arctic (9)

Music and featured items

  • Into

    Duration: 02:23

  • Ayarkhaan

    Breath of North

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Recording made on-location by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

  • Greenland

    Duration: 19:10

  • Rasmus Lyberth

    I see a light in your eyes

    Composer: Lyberth Performers: Jane Clark (violin); Christian Sogard (accordion)

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording made on-location at Det Gronlandske Hus, Copenhagen, Denmark by Sound Engineer James Birtwistle on 11th January 2010.

  • Rasmus Lyberth

    Inuuneq nutaaq (The New Life)

    Composer: Rasmus Lyberth Performers: Jane Clark (violin); Sogard (accordion)

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording made on-location at Det Gronlandske Hus, Copenhagen, Denmark by Sound Engineer James Birtwistle on 11th January 2010.

  • Erinarsoqatigiissuit

    Seqineq nuilereersoq

    Composer: Anthon Tellesen Performers: Conducted by Berteh Sandgreen

    • Erinarsoqatigiissuit 3.
    • ULOCD-160.

  • The townsfolk of Ilulissat, Greenland

    Unknown hymn

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording made on-location in Ilulissat, Greenland, on 13th January 2010 by Sound Engineer James Birtwistle..

  • Leif Immanuelsen

    Drum Dance Song

    Composer: Trad

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording made on-location in Ilulissat, Greenland, on 13th January 2010 by Sound Engineer James Birtwistle.

  • Leif Immanuelsen

    Polka: Tamatigooq

    Composer: Immanuelsen

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording made on-location in Ilulissat, Greenland, on 13th January 2010 by Sound Engineer James Birtwistle.

  • Leif Immanuelsen

    Drum Dance Song

    Composer: Trad

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording made on-location in Ilulissat, Greenland, on 13th January 2010 by Sound Engineer James Birtwistle.

  • Norway

    Duration: 15:09

  • Johan Sara

    First improvised joik at river

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording on-location in Maze, Norway, on 5th July 2010 by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

  • Johan Sara

    Second improvised joik at river

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording on-location in Maze, Norway, on 5th July 2010 by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

  • Johan Sara

    Second improvised joik in hills near Maze

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording on-location in Maze, Norway, on 5th July 2010 by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

  • May Torill

    Yoik for calling Reindeer

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording on-location in Maze, Norway, on 5th July 2010 by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

  • May Torill

    Improvised joik in hills near Maze

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording on-location in Maze, Norway, on 5th July 2010 by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

  • Canada

    Duration: 12:01

  • Tanya Tagaq

    Improvisation

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording.

  • Tanya Tagaq & Donna Lyall

    Geese

    Artist: Donna Lyall

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording.

  • Tanya Tagaq & Donna Lyall

    Love Song

    Artist: Donna Lyall

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording.

  • Tanya Tagaq & Donna Lyall

    Song of the Puppy

    Artist: Song of the Puppy

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording.

  • Tanya Tagaq

    Improvisation

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ recording.

  • Michael Red

    The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is grateful to Michael Red for assistance with natural sound recordings in Cambrid

  • Siberia

    Duration: 10:08

  • Ayarkhaan

    My Horse

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Recording made on-location by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

  • Ayarkhaan

    Dedication to the Blacksmith's Patron Kudai Bakhsy

    • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Recording made on-location by Sound Engineer Marvin Ware.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 27 Jan 2011 21:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Sat 29 Jan 2011 15:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3