Cities and Memory - remixing the world

Paris isn't just Notre Dame when it comes to churches and cathedrals - Saint Sulpice is also really impressive, and here we listen to the pealing bells at midday, then take a walkthrough around the whole of this stunning cathedral. 

Recorded in Paris, France in February 2026 by Cities and Memory. 

The Folies were designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi for the Parc de la Villette in Paris. 

These metal structures are placed around the park, and take the form of red metal structures that stand out from a distance. While their square bases are all identical (10.8 metres per side), their shapes vary according to their purpose. Each Folie is identified by a name and a code composed of a combination of letters and numbers. 

This is a vibrational recording made with a Geofon from Folie L5, which has a walkway overhead and a tower with steps - we can hear the sound of children running overhead, and percussive knocks on the metal. 

Recorded in April 2026 by Cities and Memory. 

A collage of musical patterns based on birdsong.

Birdsong in Shipley, England reimagined by Janae Jean.

"The recording was chosen as I was due to visit that very departure lounge a few weeks later.

"That trip to Valencia was taken at a significant time of reflection following the death of my father and the clearing out of my parents house, a place redolent with memories of my childhood. I found an old, battered Spanish Guitar in a cupboard which makes an appearance, it seemed appropriate. My piece also includes EMF recordings of my Smart Watch, no longer does ticking mark a time of waiting, neither watch nor airport clock."

Valencia airport departures reimagined by Paul Watson.

"On first listen to this field recording of Lisbon’s tram (elétrico), I was struck by the prominence of a musical note contained in the hum of the system’s wires. This ghostly tone resonates like a singing bowl as the tram and its passengers navigate the city’s narrow, hilly streets. I imagined it as the centrepiece of a film score, and this is the result."

Lisbon tram reimagined by Anne Pope.

This one recording doesn't have a unique sound in general, but the setting is quite unusual from my perspective, and it has the nice mix of restaurant sounds, messages over the loudspeaker, and people talking in multiple languages, which I think creates a soothing chaos.

Recorded in Valencia airport by Tomasz Buga.

Birdsong at 8.00 am in the morning in a back garden in Shipley, England, with a plane overhead and a dog whimpering inside the house who wants to come out.

Recorded by Alice Gilmour.

After a long and eventful trip in Lisbon, one of the final activities I did was ride the famous 28 tram passing through the narrow corridors of the city with the wooden windows down, reminiscing on the streets trekked and the landmarks of the city before embarking on the journey home. Until next time. 

Recorded in Lisbon, Portugal by Andrew Ramsey.

El Badi Palace is one of the most historic buildings in Marrakesh, and today is famous for the storks that choose its towers and turrets as prime nesting spots - in this recording, as well as the general sounds of people exploring the palace grounds, you can hear several instances of the famous and unforgettable clacking sounds of storks as they throw their heads back and exclaim to one another. 

Recorded in Marrakesh, Morocco, January 2026 by Cities and Memory.

"This piece traces the European stork’s migratory routes - there is an eastern route and a western route. Recordings from various countries the storks pass through on their way are combined with some spoken words."

Storks in El Badi Palace, Marrakesh reimagined by Sophie Oldenbourg.