Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Scored for: violin and bass
(see also 3 Songs for Violin and Bass) Duration: 15 min. 4 movements. Movements may be performed independently. Premiere: 2017, The University of Texas at Arlington Commissioned by: Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker Published by: Angelfire Press, distributed by Black Tea Music Recorded by:Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker on Albany Records. Purchase here.
Contact Trudy Chan at Black Tea Music to purchase a score.
A Dream of Trees was commissioned by violin and double bass duo Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker who performed the premiere of the work at The University of Texas at Arlington in January, 2017. The four movements are inspired by reflections on trees by three poets and a visual artist: Mary Oliver, Rumi, Pablo Neruda and Melissa Harris respectively. Although not programmatic, each movement reveals its own musical “story” – of longing, wonder, whimsy, journey, mystery, intimacy. A true duo, the two instruments sing with lyrical melodies, contrast, weave and merge together to create different textural and emotional spaces. The set takes its name from Mary Oliver’s poignant and beautiful poem on dreams of trees, life and art. The last movement is dedicated to my mentor, composer Margaret Garwood (1927 – 2015) who gifted me with Harris’ “The Blessing Tree” near the end of her life.- Andrea Clearfield
“There is a thing in me that dreamed of trees…” – Mary Oliver
Juventas Ensemble performs A Dream of Trees at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
A Dream of Trees
Scored for: violin and bass
(see also 3 Songs for Violin and Bass)
Duration: 15 min. 4 movements. Movements may be performed independently.
Premiere: 2017, The University of Texas at Arlington
Commissioned by: Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker
Published by: Angelfire Press, distributed by Black Tea Music
Recorded by:Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker on Albany Records. Purchase here.
Contact Trudy Chan at Black Tea Music to purchase a score.
See preview score pages:
I. A Dream of Trees (excerpt)
II. If A Tree Could Wander (excerpt)
III. Vastness of Pines (excerpt)
IV. The Blessing Tree (excerpt)
PROGRAM NOTE
A Dream of Trees was commissioned by violin and double bass duo Martha Walvoord and Jack Unzicker who performed the premiere of the work at The University of Texas at Arlington in January, 2017. The four movements are inspired by reflections on trees by three poets and a visual artist: Mary Oliver, Rumi, Pablo Neruda and Melissa Harris respectively. Although not programmatic, each movement reveals its own musical “story” – of longing, wonder, whimsy, journey, mystery, intimacy. A true duo, the two instruments sing with lyrical melodies, contrast, weave and merge together to create different textural and emotional spaces. The set takes its name from Mary Oliver’s poignant and beautiful poem on dreams of trees, life and art. The last movement is dedicated to my mentor, composer Margaret Garwood (1927 – 2015) who gifted me with Harris’ “The Blessing Tree” near the end of her life.- Andrea Clearfield
“There is a thing in me that dreamed of trees…” – Mary Oliver
Juventas Ensemble performs A Dream of Trees at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill