Rivières & Étangs

Released in 1998 by the label Origins, Rivières & Étangs is a field recording album that captures the natural soundscapes of French riverbanks and ponds. It was produced as part of a specialized series dedicated to acoustic ecology, emphasizing high-fidelity capture of avian and aquatic environments. The project reflects the growing interest in environmental sound art during the late 1990s, aiming to provide listeners with a meditative, immersive experience of nature.

Jean C. Roché, an eminent ornithologist and sound recordist, collaborated with Pierre Palengat to curate this sonic document. Roché was well-regarded for his extensive archive of bird vocalizations, and his methodology prioritized scientific accuracy alongside aesthetic immersion. Upon release, the album was well-received within circles of ambient music enthusiasts and naturalists who valued the meticulous technical approach taken by the artists to isolate and present pure, unaltered bioacoustic phenomena.