Go to the skating rink in Sergiyev Posad on a Saturday morning and you’ll hear something like this. Sorry for the loud music – it’s a sort of compulsory entertainment one can’t escape from.

Recorded Januard 2nd, 2010
Published January 4th, 2010 (1.4 mb).

Every year has its bright moments to be unveiled. The launch of this blog was the one of those moments to me in 2009. I’ve made my first field recordings even before I knew how to spell those two words, with my dad’s reel-to-reel recorder. A lot of things have changed since then but the simple pleasures of field recording are pretty much the same. This is the sound of grasshoppers on a very hot sunny summer afternoon, train whistles in the distance. Definitely something to be enjoyed on a cold winter night. Merry belated Christmas, see you in 2010!

Recorded July 20th, 2009.
Published January 31 st, 2009 (1.9 mb).

It has been snowing all night, and we got loads of snow in the morning – for the very first time this winter. This is the sound of a snow-plough, grinding spades and workmen chatting. Recorded early morning at the town centre today.

Recorded December 21st, 2009.
Published December 21st, 2009 (1,9 mb).

Next to the railway station a barker is using a loud-hailer in the rain promoting a newly opened butcher’s shop. Suddenly she founds a sort of an assistant – an old lady is joining her voice on a voluntary basis.

Recorded November 7th, 2009.
Published December 13th, 2009 (1.1 mb).

Tennis players in Sergiyev Posad, Dvoynikh tournament.

Recorded September 1st, 2009.
Published December 6th, 2009 (2.2 mb).

Cold deserted beaches have always been something of a mystery to me. The place once full of joyful voices is of no interest to anyone now, completely. Empty sands under the grey skies, lonely lifeguard station, a few fishermen in the distance and the wind – a bleak Saturday morning in November.

Recorded November 28th, 2009.
Published December 6th, 2009 (2.1 mb).

A nice day in Vyborg. The first days of October, Monrepos park, birds crying upon leaving the town. My old voice recorder. This is the story of how insignificant tech specs may be when it comes to capturing a wonderful moment. Even now, two years after I feel how wonderful it is – amazed by the solemn beauty of this park way back in 2007.

Recorded October 1st, 2007
Published October 25th, 2009 (1 mb).
Since it’s not a binaural one, you don’t need headphones here.

P.S. Spot those birds at the upper-left corner of the enlarged photo.