whale song in human music

This inexhaustive survey of human music inspired by whale sounds took its lead from the second chapter of David Rothenberg’s ‘Thousand Mile Song’ (Basic Books, 2008), and was substantially enriched by a Facebook discussion initiated by Emily Doolittle. It primarily covers genres of which I have a reasonable acquaintance: Western ‘art’ music (and its experimental underbelly), jazz and rock/pop.

I have focused on music where the inspiration is sonic (e.g., as shown through the use of field recordings, or vocal/instrumental reference to the acoustic and other music-like aspects of whale calls and song) rather than linguistic (e.g., verbal reference to whale hunting, whale conservation or other narratives).

Where composers or performers have explicitly stated that their work is connected to whale sounds, I have taken them at their word, even if the mode of connection is not obvious in the resulting work. Genres which are substantially under-represented include Folk and Indigenous music, New Age music, and a large number of songs inspired by Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick; or, The Whale’ (1851) and the Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale.

This survey is divided into compositions where the principal output was a score for performance by others (Table 1), and compositions where the principal output was a recording (Table 2). When particular species of whales are referenced in the piece of music, these are listed using the following abbreviations:

  • Ba = Balaenoptera acutorostrata (Common Minke Whale)
  • Bmus = Balaenoptera musculus (Blue Whale)
  • Bmys= Balaena mysticetus (Bowhead Whale)
  • Dl = Delphinapterus leucas (Beluga Whale, or White Whale)
  • Ea = Eubalaena australis (Southern Right Whale)
  • Ha= Hyperoodon ampullatus (Northern Bottlenosed Whale)
  • Mn = Megaptera novaeangliae (Humpback Whale)
  • Oo = Orcinus orca (Orca, or Killer Whale)
  • Pm = Physeter macrocephalus (Sperm Whale)
  • T=Tursiops spp. (Bottlenosed Dolphin)

Table 1. Musical Scores Inspired by Whale Sounds.

ComposerTitleYearInstrumentationSpeciesPublisher/
Website
Andel, LauraWhale Singing2002Solo Voice and Large EnsembleNMUSA
Ball, DerekCeltic Whale2006Cláirseach, Fiddle [electronically modified]CMC Ireland
Blackford, Richard
(recordings from Bernie Krause)
The Great Animal Orchestra, Symphony for Orchestra and Wild Soundscapes2014Orchestra and CD recordingMnNimubus Music Publishing,
tinyurl.com/
y4c2lfcv
Blom, DianaThe Whale's Song2008Cello, PianoMnAMC
Bodman, ChristopherSongs of the Humpbacked Whale1982Trombone QuartetMnBMC
Bolliger, PhillipBenedictus Balaenarum (Benediction of the Whales)1993Trombone, PianoKookaburra Music
AMC
Bozone, JudyThe Man and the Whale2016Clarinet, PianoISCM
Soundcloud
Bright, ColinThe Last Whale2007Vocal Sextet, Chamber Ensemble, CD recordingAMC
Bruynèl, TonSave the Whale1989/91(Contra)bass Clarinet and Two SoundtracksComposer
Byrne, LukeWhale Pavane2019Cello, PianoAMC [composer]
Cage, JohnLitany for the Whale1980Vocal DuetEdition Peters
Carter, TristanTohoraha2017String Quintet and Taonga PūoroSounz
Chapman, StephenMinke Whale
(No.2 from Due East)
2008SATB ChorusBaCMC
Cionek, EdmundWhale-tronica2002Saxophone Quartet and Fixed MediaNMUSA
Cowan, ClaireWhaler2003Solo CelloSounz
Cresswell, LyellThe Kauri Tree and the Whale1983OrchestraSounz
Cresswell, LyellThe Belly of the Whale1997Unaccompanied ChoralComposer
BMC, Sounz
Crumb, GeorgeVox Balaenae1971Electric Flute, Electric Cello, Amplified PianoMnEdition Peters
Danon, NinaThe Caress of the Sea2020Alto Saxophone, PianoPmComposer
Danon, NinaAquatic Dance2020Alto Saxophone, PianoComposer
Doolittle, EmilySocial Sounds from Whales at Night2007Soprano or Solo Instrument, with Percussion and TapeMnComposer
CMC
Doolittle, EmilyBowheads2019Piano TrioBmysComposer
Ellias, RoddyWhale Spirit Rising1985Baritone Saxophone and String OrchestraCMC
Evans, RobertWhale Song Dancing, A Cantata1993Solo voice, Chorus, Instrumental ensembleCMC
Farberman, HaroldThe Blue Whale1972Mezzosoprano, Chamber Ensemble
Finney, Ross LeeLost Whale Calf1980Solo Piano
Fujikura, DaiDolphins2010Two Violas (also Two Cellos or Two Violins)Ricordi
Gonneville, MichelLe cheminement de la baleine1998Solo Clarinet, Ondes Martenot, 18 instrumentsMnComposer
CMC
Gorbos, StephenOn the Whiteness of the Whale2009Solo Bass ClarinetComposer
Sequenza21
Grisey, GerardVortex Temporum1995Flutes, Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello, PianoRicordi
Ircam
Hextall, PietaPlanet Vandal2010Solo PianoSounz
Hirs, RozalieKleine walvis en het ijs (Little Whale and the Ice)2007Large Ensemble (12 players)Donemus
Hodkinson, SydneyBlue Whale
(Sea Chanteys)
19712 x Mixed ChorusBmusCMC
Holman, DerekThe Greenland Whale1982Mixed ChorusCMC
Hovhaness, AlanAnd God Created Great Whales1970Orchestra and TapeMnEdition Peters
Kirke, AlexisFast Travel2011Tenor Saxophone, Interactive ElectronicsBmus
Knox, GarthJonah and the Whale1990/96Viola, TubaCMC Ireland
Kok, RonaldKiller Whales1978Viola and Four Double BassesDonemus
Laporte, Jean-FrançoisLe Chant des baleines2002Electric GuitarIrcam
Lewandowski, AnnieCetus: Life After Life2018Whale Song and Chimes [Carillon]MnComposer
Lewis, Robert HallNuances II1976Orchestra and TapeMnNMUSA
Lucier, AlvinQuasimodo, the Great Lover1970OpenMn
Mclean, PriscillaBeneath the Horizon I1977Tuba Quartet and Whale EnsembleMnNMUSA
Mclean, PriscillaBeneath the Horizon III1979Tuba Solo and Whale EnsembleMnNMUSA
Mikhashoff, Yvar EmilianHWALC1978Cello and Tape
Miller, JaredLeviathan2018Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano, Percussion, ElectronicsBmusISCM
Soundcloud
Morawetz, OskarThe Whale's Lament1993Solo Piano
Morrison, FrankTzinquaw1950Indigenous OperaOo
Nam June PaikDanger Music for Dick Higgins1973Open
Pécou, ThierryRorqual2013strings, harp, percussions, pre-recorded tapes and instrumental group ad libitumMn,Bmus,Dl,PorpSchott Music
Pécou, ThierryMéditation sur la fin de l'espèce2017Solo Cello, Six Instruments, Pre-recorded Whale SongPm, Mn, Oo, DISchott Music, Gaudeamus
Perkinson, Coleridge-TaylorThe White Whale1981Chamber Orchestra with Baritone SoloistNMUSA
Perkinson, Coleridge-TaylorPiano Trio2002Violin, Cello, PianoNMUSA
Perrin, RossLa baleine qui court dans le ciel du Cambodge2001Gamelan, Child’s Voice, Clarinet and HarpCMC
Perry, NinaThe Whale1959Voices, PianoOUP
Powell, KitWhale1993Trombone and TapeMnSounz
Powell, KitWhale1993SATB Choir and TapeMnSounz
Powell, KitWhale Song2007Solo PianoSounz
Powell, KitWhale Fantasy2016Solo PianoMnSounz
Redhead, LaurenThe Whale2019Open notation and fixed mediaComposer
Ritchie, AnthonyWhalesong2006Solo Double Bass and OrchestraMnSounz
Robb, MagnusDelphi1990OrchestraSMC
Searle, HumphreyThe Apollonian Whale, Op.741980Cello, Piano, VoiceWhalesound
BMC
Shapiro, AlexBelow2008Contrabass Flute and Electronic SoundscapeMnActivist Music / NMUSA
Shapiro, AlexImmersion2011Symphony for Winds, Percussion and pre-recorded SoundscapeMnActivist Music
Sharp, BarryEven Here2017Piano and any other combination of instrumentsMn
Souster, TimSpectral1972Solo Viola, Tape-delay system and Live ElectronicsMnComposers Edition
Svetlichny, AntonThe Whale (Total Loneliness)2011Violin, Cello, Double BassThe lonely whaleBabelscores
Swann, DonaldThe Whale Song (Mopy Dick)1963Voice, PianoHaWarner Chappell Music
Takemitsu, ToruToward the Sea1981Alto Flute and Guitar or
Alto Flute, Harp and Strings or
Alto Flute and Harp (1989)
Schott Music
Tavener, JohnThe Whale - A Biblical Fantasy1966Chorus plus OrchestraChester Music Ltd
Uyeda, LeslieWhales2006Soprano, Flute/Bass Flute, Piano and Pre-recorded Whale SoundsDl,OoThe Avondale Press
CMC
Werle, Lars JohanÄnnu sjunger valarna [Still the Whales Are Singing]1992S, Mez, T, B-Bar, str qt, db, perc
Whitehead, GillianPuhake ki te rangi [Spouting to the skies]2006String Quartet and Taonga PuoroSounz
Wilder, AlecElegy For The Whale1975Solo Tuba and OrchestraMusic Sales Classical / NMUSA
Xenakis, IannisPour les Baleines1982Large String OrchestraSalabert
Ircam

Sources include

  • AMC=Australian Music Centre
  • BMC=British Music Collection
  • CMC=Canadian Music Centre / Centre de Musique Canadienne
  • CMC Ireland=Contemporary Music Centre Ireland
  • ISCM=International Society for Contemporary Music
  • NMUSA=New Music USA
  • SMC=Scottish Music Centre

Table 2. Recorded Works of Music Inspired by Whale Sounds.

Artist (Performer)Title (Album)AlbumRelease YearGenreLabel / Website
Anderson, LaurieLife on a String2001ElectronicNonesuch
Barnes, Andy
(Sheena Wellington)
The Last Leviathan
(Kerelaw)
1983 (1986)FolkDunkeld Records
Bush, KateMoving
(The Kick Inside)
1978Electronic, RockAmiga
Chapin, TomSing A Whale Song
(Moonboat)
1993FolkSony Kids' Music
Claquer with
Catriona McKay
Blackfish
(Remembrance Species 2018)
2018ExperimentalBandcamp
Cocteau TwinsWhale's TalesVictorialand1986Rock4AD
Collins, JudyFarewell to Tarwathie
(Whales and Nightingales)
1970Folk songElektra
Crosby, David
(Crosby & Nash)
To the Last Whale
(The Two of Us)
1975RockABC Records
Danon, NinaPearlsThe Dragon and the Golden Flower2016ClassicalBandcamp
Dean, Roger
(Lysis)
Wings of the Whale
(The wings of the whale - You-yangs)
1985JazzSOMA Records
AMC
Dirty Projectors with BjörkMount Wittenberg Orca2011Electronic, PopDomino
Downes, KitLast Leviathan
(Obsidian)
2018Contemporary classicalECM Records
Sequenza21
Fahres, MichaelCetacea2007Electroacoustic
with video
michael-fahres.com
Fraser, Al with Sam Leamy, Neil JohnstoneRorqual (Panthalassa)2019ExperimentalBandcamp
Fraser, Al with Sam Leamy, Neil JohnstoneWhale Time (Panthalassa)2019ExperimentalBandcamp
Gluck, BobJonah under the Sea
(Stories Hear and Retold)
1997ElectroacousticElectronic Music Foundation
Haden, Charlie
(Old and New Dreams)
Song for the Whale
(Old and New Dreams)
1979JazzECM Records
Interspecies MusicWhalescapes1977ExperimentalMusic Gallery Editions
Jaffrennou, Pierre-AlainDeuxième passage de la baleine1984ElectroacousticIrcam
Jaffrennou, Pierre-AlainOcéane ou Troisième passage de la baleine1984ElectroacousticIrcam
Jethro TullWhaler's DuesRock Island1989RockChrysalis Records
Kings of the South SeasKings of the South Seas2014FolkD. Wink
Lawrie, BunnaWhale Dance Song; Sound of the Whale (Rhythm of Nature/ Coloured Stone)1998IndigenousCAAMA
Lawrie, BunnaJeedara (White Whale Song)2016Indigenoustinyurl.com/
yxttfkaq
McDonald, Joe
(Country Joe McDonald)
Save the Whales!
(Paradise With An Ocean View)
1975RockFantasy
McMillan, AnnWhale - Wail, In Peace, En Paix: For Voice and Tape Structures of Whale and Other Animal Sounds1986ElectroacousticFolkways Records
Morris, DavidWhale Song1980Electroacoustic
Neil, FredThe DolphinsFred Neil1966RockCapitol Records
Nollman, JimOrca Reggae1979Interspeciesinterspecies.
com
Nollman, JimPlaying Music with Animals: The Interspecies Communication of Jim Nollman with 300 Turkeys, 12 Wolves, 20 Orca Whales1982Field recording, ExperimentalFolkways Records
Nollman, JimOrca's Greatest Hits1985Field recording, ExperimentalInterspecies Communication
Reed, LouLast Great American Whale
(New York)
1989RockSire
Robertson, Harry
(Alex Hood)
Ballina Whalers
(Whale Chasing Men: Songs of Whaling in Ice and Sun)
1971FolkMFP records
Rothenberg, DavidWhale Music2008JazzTerranova Music
Rothenberg, David
(Various)
Whale Music Remixed2009ElectronicTerranova Music
Seeger, PeteSong of the World's Last Whale
(At 89)
2008FolkAppleseed Recordings
Swann, Donald
(Flanders & Swann)
The Whale Song (Mopy Dick)
(The Bestiary of Flanders and Swann)
1963Children’sParlophone
Tarshito & Murray Burns
(Bunna Lawrie)
Nullarbour Journey
(Whaledreamers)
2006Film soundtracktinyurl.com/
y5845lmw
Tom Waits / Kathleen BrennanStarving in the Belly of a Whale
(Blood Money)
2002RockANTI
Toop, DavidThe Divination of the Bowhead Whale
(New and Rediscovered Musical Instruments)
1975ExperimentalObscure
VariousBelly of the Whale2006VariousImportant Records
VariousPod Tune2016Electronicbrightcolors.
com/podtune
Wendt, LarryIn the Beginning was the Whale1976Electroacoustic
Winter, PaulOcean Dream
(Common Ground)
1978JazzA&M Records
Winter, PaulLullaby from the Great Mother Whale for the Baby Seal Pups
(Callings)
1980New AgeLiving Music
Winter, Paul
(Paul Winter / Paul Halley, Leonard Nimoy)
Whales Alive1986New AgeLiving Music
South, Alex with Katherine WrenEntanglement (Remembrance Species 2020)2020ExperimentalBandcamp
Inner Child (various artists)Canticum Megapterae - Song of the Humpback Whale2019PsychedeliaBandcamp

Genres have been taken from the relevant listing on the website discogs.com.