I often hear that there’s no point in comparing animal emotions to human emotions, because animals act and feel instinctively, whereas humans act consciously. Science uses the term "instinctive behavior" to describe actions that are carried out unconsciously, without being subjected to any thought processes. These actions can be genetically determined or learned, but they all share one thing: they happen very quickly, bypassing the brain’s cognitive processes. Often, these actions are the result of hormones, which then trigger physical responses. So, are animals nothing more than biological automatons?

Feelings, thoughts, and actions - there you have all you need to describe the essence of an animal. Thinking is problem-solving. According to this definition, thinking is part of the skill set, at least for those animals whose behavior makes sense to us: ravens that greet other ravens by name, rats that reflect on their actions and regret what they have done, roosters that lie to their hens, and magpies that risk a bit on the side. Would anyone deny that problem-solving processes are going on in their heads?

Peter Wohlleben, Inner Life of Animals (excerpts)
Released October 2, 2025

Nokturno is a 60-minute field recording album by Martina Testen and Simon Šerc, guiding listeners through the mysterious soundscapes of the nocturnal world. The recordings were gathered over a period of ten years, during which the authors spent countless nights in the forest.

Divided into eight chapters – Sunset, Twilight, Dusk, Nightfall, Midnight, After Midnight, Predawn, and Dawn – the album traces a natural arc from the fading light of day to the awakening chorus of morning. From twilight frogs and nocturnal beetles to the haunting calls of owls, the roar of stags, and the distant howls of wolves, the album reveals the hidden symphony of the night.

Nokturno continues the work of Biodukt, an audio project that captures the natural sounds of forests and gained international recognition with features in major media outlets such as The Guardian and the BBC. While Biodukt follows the rhythm of the day, Nokturno begins at sunset and carries listeners through the night until the first light of dawn.

Beyond sound alone, Nokturno invites reflection on the inner lives of animals - creatures that think, feel, and navigate their world with subtle intelligence. It is an intimate, immersive celebration of nocturnal realm, a journey into the fragile ecosystems that sustain life under the veil of darkness.

Immersive and atmospheric, Nokturno captures the beauty, mystery, and fragility of nocturnal life. It is both a celebration of nature’s hidden orchestra and a reminder of the importance of protecting the habitats where these sounds still resonate.
 
Recorded by Martina Testen and Simon Šerc
Recording locations in Slovenia and Italy, 2015-2025
Edited, mixed and mastered by Simon Šerc
Photography: Martina Testen, Simon Šerc
Supported by the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia

Format: CD Digipak
The scent of pine tree essential oil on the CD.
℗ & © 2025

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Nokturno is dedicated to our beloved cat Lemma, named after Stanisław Lem. She passed away as we finalized this album. Thank you for everything, dear Lemma - for your wisdom, kindness, and gentleness.
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Martina Testen / Simon Šerc | Nokturno | CD