Our guide to gardening with music
Olga Kern, Photo credit: Chris Lee
Spring has come to bloom and we have been inspired by our gardens in this challenging moment. There is consistency to nature that is calming, and we’re getting our hands in the dirt! As we have been inspired by our gardens, we wish to share with you three musical works inspired by the idea that we can create our own joyful islands outside and find happiness in the flowers around us.
If pianist Olga Kern wasn’t a pianist, she would spend her time immersed in nature. In an interview with San Francisco Classical Voice, Kern shared “I love nature and I love to paint nature … it is so unique and different. There is the green field in the sun and the sun goes into clouds and it’s a totally different green, and you can mix colors. I love to paint nature, landscapes, flowers.” Her passion for life is palpable, and it translates wonderfully with her vibrant piano recordings. There are a few tracks on her album Rachmaninov: Transcriptions - Corelli Variations that bring the listener into the garden. Her rendition of Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream sets the scene for "Lilacs", "Daisies", and "Flight of the Bumblebee". These works inspired by flowers are the perfect soundtrack for gardening and enjoying spring.
When gardening, we are creating our own personal joyful islands to connect with the beautiful world around us. In this spirit, we wish to share Kathryn Selby’s recording of Debussy’s L'isle joyeuse. Allegedly inspired by a Rococo era painting by Jean-Antoine Watteau, it is the most exuberant of Debussy’s works. This feeling of joie de vivre is what we wish to bring into our lives through our connection with the outdoors during this difficult time.
Perhaps the most beautiful thing on our personal islands is when the roses bloom. In this moment, when the beautiful flowers blossom, we have a deep appreciation for the steadiness of nature. Pianist Uri Caine was equally inspired by the beauty of the rose, which he expressed in his recording of Honeysuckle Rose. Every rose has its thorn, and in this trying time we are learning to still appreciate the beautiful natural gifts around us.
We wish that you all are tending to yourselves and would love to hear from you. If you have your own personal garden, please send us a photo! We would love to see what is in bloom for you. We are thinking of you now and always, our dear community.