2022-24 – suite for acoustic lever harp and fixed electronics – 51:00

Performances

World Premiere: September 6, 2024, The Arboretum at the University of Guelph, Canada
Sharlene Wallace (harp)

Installations

Installation Premiere: Fall 2024 at The Arboretum at the University of Guelph, Canada

Recording

Album: Trees.Listen
Date: October 4, 2024
Musician: Sharlene Wallace (Celtic lever harp)
Composers: Frank Horvat and Sharlene Wallace
Producers: Frank Horvat, Jean Martin and Sharlene Wallace
Label: I Am Who I Am Records

Programme Notes

Trees.Listen is a nine-piece suite for amplified acoustic lever harp and fixed electronics inspired by the enlightening book To Speak for the Trees by acclaimed medical biochemist and botanist, Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger. Diana possesses a unique combination of Western scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom from the ancient world. Orphaned in Ireland during her youth, she was educated by elders who instructed her in the Brehon knowledge of plants and nature.



The music that Sharlene and I co-composed is based on different letters from the ancient Ogham script, a medieval alphabet that named each letter after a type of tree, emphasizing the significance of trees to the ancient Celts. The predominant musical note heard in each piece corresponds to the note named after a particular tree. For example, you will hear a lot of Ds in Oak because the Celtic word for oak is dair, which is the name for D in their alphabet. This approach creates an additional spiritual connection between each piece, the tree, and its designated letter. The overall tone of each piece is also inspired by the information and stories shared by Diana about each tree, each having its own unique musical character, just as each tree does.

Sharlene and I implemented a unique multi-phase process to create this new music with the help of our good friend, Jean Martin. In Phase 1, Jean recorded Sharlene playing samples/loops on her harp. In Phase 2, I used these samples as the foundation for composing electronic bed tracks. Then in Phase 3, Sharlene composed a live harp part on top of those bed tracks. In Phase 4, we convened to fine-tune the compositions and record demos. All this led to the 5th and final phase where we produced an album recording of the suite while continuing to make revisions along the way. This was truly a collaborative effort.

Sharlene and I hope that Trees.Listen supports Diana’s vision: that trees are a fundamental part of our existence and survival on this planet, and they deserve to be worshipped and protected. We are fortunate to have received Diana’s enthusiastic support for our endeavour. She is a passionate individual who envisions a better world with more trees!

– Frank Horvat

Learn more about the making of this album.

Creation of this work financially supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and a community of harp students.