Violinist Creates Music Inspired by Moth Flight Data to Raise Awareness of Insect Decline
Music and science gently intertwine in Moth x Human, a beautiful composition by musician Ellie Wilson that transforms moth flight data into a serene tribute to these often-overlooked pollinators.
This thought-provoking collaboration, blending music and nature, illuminates the quiet beauty of the nocturnal world of moths. Violinist Ellie Wilson drew inspiration from moth flight data collected at a biodiversity monitoring station to create Moth x Human, a heartfelt piece that premiered on 7 June at the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture New Music Biennial. Wilson expressed, “Moths often remain unnoticed as they come alive at night, while we are asleep. Yet, as pollinators, they carry a remarkable significance, just like bees and butterflies. I aimed to honor them for the extraordinary beings they truly are.”
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The essence of Wilson’s composition began with a detailed dataset revealing the ebb and flow of 80 moth species within a safeguarded habitat on Salisbury’s Parsonage Downs. Each species was given a unique sound, triggered by their delicate landings on the monitor at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Upon experiencing the initial playback of her insect collaborators’ melodies, Wilson was enthralled by the results. “It was a truly wonderful surprise. The moths ended up crafting a fascinating composition for me,” she shared. The graceful movements of the moths inspired the music she created, accompanied by violin, cello, trombone, piano, and synths.
The resulting piece exudes an ethereal quality, beautifully reflecting the challenges faced by UK moth populations due to habitat decline. The composition poignantly transitions to a section using data from a farmland monoculture, showcasing only 19 moth species. “It starts quite euphorically, but the atmosphere changes significantly by the end,” Wilson noted. “You can genuinely perceive the difference.”
Moth x Human was nurtured for the PRS Foundation, Southbank Centre, and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture New Music Biennial, with Ellie Wilson’s heartfelt premiere in Bradford on Saturday, 7th June.
Free tickets are currently available for Bradford (6-8 June) and Southbank Centre (4-6 July).
Main image: Dmitri Djuric
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