Dr. Bernie Krause is an acclaimed musician and influential naturalist — think Pete Seeger meets David Attenborough, in a field, with a tape deck. In fact Krause took over as guitarist of the Weavers when Seeger retired from the band, as he shares not only Seeger's love of iconic folk tunes but also his spirit of activist justice in defense of the natural world. The unique and inspirational way in which Krause has blended those passions is an archive 40 years in the making. The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World's Wild Places is a “sound lecture” derived from Krause's international archive of field recordings, which capture the majestic and strangely emotional sounds made the world over by some 15,000 species, and the noises of elements like trees, wind and water. The man has spent more than 4,000 hours recording in the wild — a collection that tragically has come to include now-extinct creatures and disappeared places. Tonight's sound lecture is more Martin Denny than NatGeo, as Krause turns to the power of this “music” to make his plea for action on behalf of the planet and all its inhabitants. Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., dwntwn.; Tues., March 12, 7:15 p.m.; free. lfla.org.

Tue., March 12, 7:15 p.m., 2013

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