In the domain of soundscapes Riek’s focus rests on acoustic ecology and bio-acoustics by means of field recordings of both society and nature. In his quest after the archaic sound Riek collaborates with scientists, ecologists and musicians.

2007

Österbotten, Finland

From May to July I worked in Alajärvi. During that time I made location studies of several small places, the forests and the western coast of Österbotten. I did studies of the sound of trees in several ways, of storm/wind, and animals (like insects and birds).

Because of the perticular light conditions, I had the possibility to record many hours a day. More than 60 hours of material still await their post-editing.

I worked with stereo, mono, contact and underwater microphones.

In Finland you get the chance to find many quiet places due to its sparsely population. Moreover the majority of Finns live in tune with nature. For instance, about six bears were living in our area — neither caged nor hunted.

  1. Arctic Tern/Sterna paradisaea
    Bredskäret, Österbotten
    26th May 4:00 pm
  2. Whooper Swan/Cygnus cygnus
    Bredskäret, Österbotten
    26th May 4:50 pm
  3. Pines and Wind/Pinus
    Kristinestad, Österbotten
    27th May 1:10 am
  4. Curlew/Numenius arquata
    Alajärvi, Südösterbotten
    15th June 11:08 am
  5. Black-headed Gull/Larus ridibundus
    Alajärvi, Südösterbotten
    21th June 8:20 am

2003–2007

Listening Room

From Autumn 2003 to date I’ve been going to churches in Europe to research the situation of silence and noise in churches. I record in the time between 10:30 am and 6:30 pm. There are 70 churches recorded as yet.

I’ve been presenting the work and results in form of audio-lectures and concerts in universities, galleries and churches as well.

  1. Frauenkirche
    Nürnberg, Germany
    8th February 04 5:20 pm
  2. Marienkirche
    Rostock, Germany
    1st July 06 11:43 am
  3. Neue Kirche
    Wismar, Germany
    3rd August 06 2:45 pm
  4. Trierer Dom
    Trier, Germany
    8th October 07 08:54 am
  5. Cathédrale Notre-Dame
    Luxembourg-Ville, Luxembourg
    9th October 07 11:38 am

2006

World Cup 2006, Germany

Public recordings before and after the soccer games in towns like Hamburg, Nürnberg and Frankfurt am Main.

  1. Poland vs. Germany
    Groß Gerau
  2. Netherland vs. Argentina
    Frankfurt am Main
  3. France vs. Italy
    Frankfurt am Main

1999–2006

Harbour of Hamburg, Germany

From Spring 1999 to Summer 2006 I made mono and stereo recordings of microsounds from the Harbour of Hamburg. A lot of various gangways, tunnels, bridges, ships, boats, ferries and floating docks are making abstract sounds in the harbour.

  1. Floating Docks
    Spring, 1999
  2. Gangway Part 01
    Summer, 2006
  3. Gangway Part 02
    Summer, 2006
  4. Tunnel of Gangways
    Autumn, 2005

2005

Chalkidiki, Greece

From the 13th to the 19th of October I went to Thessaloniki, Ouranoúpolis, Ieriessos, Panagaia, Tripiti, Stratoni, Marmaras, Porto Kufo, Stagira and to the Isle of Amoliani. I recorded people, machines, animals and the landscape. There are more than 50 recordings of boats, fences, insects, birds, markets, soccer games, working machines, workers, tourists, harbours and quiet places with no names. This field report is an audio portrait of Chalkidiki, Greece.

  1. Fisherman is Working with Octopus
    Ouranoúpolis Harbour
    13th October, 2:23 pm
  2. Goats in the Hills
    Sithonia
    15th October, 4:43 pm
  3. Fishingboat, Waves and Seagulls
    Coast of Stratoni
    16th October, 8:12 pm
  4. Bees
    Sithonia
    18th October, 3:20 pm

2003

Snowdogs, Jokijärvi, Finland

Asko Karpinnen, the guard of 41 sledge dogs, has got plenty of stories to tell about the dogs of the snow, a mixture of Alaskan Malamut and Sibirian Husky. He talked a lot about the work with the dogs, about the attention and the love the dogs need. I went along with Asko feeding the dogs, harnessing them to the sladge and riding the sledge. The dogs sleep outside in small groups in enclosures. They have times of ceremonies when they sing or howl together for minutes. They have a natural hierarchy and therefore are espescially suitable for pulling loads. They run as a team and in row, at the top the leading dog.

The sledge dogs, cultivated by the Inuit for more than 2000 years, are known for their tenacity and resistance. They are very modest and hunting in the pack they show many signs of wolfish behaviour. For humans it’s a unique chance to experience and to live with such close relatives of the wolves.

  1. Very Close To
    10th February
  2. Long Way Off
    11th February