Program Note:
Intended for performance in the Fern Room of Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory, Spring Song is a soundscape that derives its materials from Felix Mendelssohn’s Song Without Words, op. 62, no. 6. Jens Jensen, the chief landscape architect behind the Conservatory’s construction between 1906 and 1908 claimed this short Mendelssohn piano work as inspiration for the design of the Fern Room. In fact after having his stone masons rip out the construction of the waterfalls several times he insisted that they would not get it right until they listened to this piece.
Spring Song is intended for performance in the Fern Room but can be performed anywhere. The performers are split into 4 separate groups throughout the room. It is best performed in a setting where audience can walk around the space during the performance.
Instrumentation: string orchestra & 2 percussionists on crotales
Duration: 6 minutes
Date: 2012