Dave and David Attenborough collaborate on new BBC Planet earth special

Sir David Attenborough and London MC Dave have collaborated on a one-off musical special of Planet Earth. 

Planet Earth: A Celebration will also feature new music from legendary film score composer Hans Zimmer in collaboration with Jacob Shea and the Bleeding Fingers collective. The special, which will air at the end of August on BBC One, compiles highlights from award winning series Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II, with newly recorded narrations from Attenborough. According to the BBC, the programme will be “a visual and musical feast designed to lift viewers’ spirits during a time of international uncertainty.”

The string section of the score is performed by the BBC concert orchestra, accompanied on piano by Mercury and Brit award winning artist Dave, who also went home with the best MC/vocalist gong at DJ Mag’s Best Of British awards in 2019. Dave and the orchestra were filmed performing their contribution to the show in Lyndhurst Hall at Air Studios, London.

Speaking about his contribution to the show, Dave said: “I’ve always been a fan of powerful natural history documentaries. This is a programme where nature and music come together, so it was only right that I lent my talent, my time, and my attention to this project. It was a pleasure to work alongside Sir David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer.”

Learn more about Planet Earth: A Celebration here. 

Last year, as part of a competition launched by Songlines magazine and PRS Foundation, music makers were invited to remix recordings captured by Attenburough in Bali over 70 years ago.