For Canadian harpist and composer, Sharlene Wallace, trees are silent lifelines for humans and the world around us.
"These beautiful living sculptures in our landscapes patiently wait for us to stop and listen to their ancient secrets and wisdoms," Wallace said.
To kick off the University of Guelph's Arboretum Expo 2024, the world concert premiere of Trees.Listen by Wallace and fellow composer Frank Horvat, brings together the Celtic harp and electronics to celebrate 'the wisdom of trees.'
Inspired by the writings of Ontario-based author, scientist and climate change visionary Diana Beresford-Kroeger, Trees.Listen premieres with a concert at 7 p.m. Friday at the OAC Centennial Arboretum Centre.
“Canadian composers Frank Horvat and Sharlene Wallace listened with their hearts and turned my words into the music of the harp. This is a universal language that sees no barriers of comprehension. It is understood immediately by everyone," Beresford-Kroeger said.
"This music gathers our consciousness to heal all that has passed. It reveals a healthy future for our planet, our only home. The Trees. Listen project is a sound quest envisioned to reconnect us to trees since they are a fundamental part of human existence and survival on this planet."
Throughout her musical career, Wallace has always had a special connection with Guelph.
"I thought what better place for the world premiere than the arboretum? It offers a supportive environment for this project," Wallace said.
"At the arboretum, the idea of trees and of forests is very profound, especially with Dianna Bereford's writings and life work. And so, this is a very supportive environment, one that we have written musically about, and just immersed ourselves in, for the last few years."
Wallace is well-known for her music in classical, folk and contemporary genres and in performing, recording and teaching on both pedal and lever (Celtic) harps. The winner of two international competitions, she has released seven albums and has toured and performed in festivals and concerts across North America and Europe.
Trees.Listen began with the two composers just wanting to work together.
"This project, it's not just Frank and I writing pieces about trees. There's many layers that we approach this with," Wallace said.
"We've worked together before, writing pieces for harp. But this is a completely different realm that we both wrote together. Trees.Listen is very unique."
Through his music, Horvat has explored a wide array of themes including love, the environment, mental health and social justice issues.
His works have been featured on over 20 albums and on various labels. He has received commissions from around the world and his compositions have premiered on concert stages worldwide through theatre, feature film and the airwaves.
"It's been a really great experience for Sharlene and I to work together musically, and on such a large scale and immersive type project. From the perspective of trees and the idea of how can you translate the feeling, the spirit and the energy that trees evoke, as well as Dianna's writing about our relationship with trees, we translated that with the sound of instrumental music. I am really happy with the outcome," Horvat said.
"When Sharlene and I were brainstorming, trying to figure out the most appropriate place to have the world premiere performance, it was sort of a no-brainer that it would be in an institution dedicated to the study and enjoyment of trees. In our musical world, it is standard practice that when you put out new music, you have a concert in a traditional venue. But to have this in a place dedicated to trees, that makes it extra special, especially at the Guelph arboretum."
Also, beginning Saturday, people can wander the arboretum to discover the 9 Trees.Listen trees that have QR-coded signs allowing visitors to listen to these tree-dedicated music soundtracks, right in the park.
"We wrote nine compositions. But beyond just a cd experience, which is very insular, we wanted to share this in a bigger way. With this project, we wanted there to be installations of sound," Wallace said.
"So, there will be external speakers among the trees so people can walk through and experience music for each tree with all of the nature sounds around you and with people. You will hear it while you are immersed in the presence and vibe of that tree. There's something very real about that."
Trees.Listen features music based on different letters from the ancient Celtic Ogham script, a medieval alphabet that named each letter for a type of tree, proving how important trees were to the ancient Celts.
Wallace said trees can remind us life is much bigger than ourselves.
"I've been immersed in trees for a few years. I guess that's just it. It's brought me back to noticing, to listening with my eyes, listening with my ears, to knowing more. All my life I've been drawing and photographing, I lived up in a forest environment for a few years And now I live in downtown Toronto. But, there's actually a lot of trees here," she said.
"Seeing the trees, its like a breathing moment. We don't notice how much these experiences affect us in real-time because we are so rapidly thinking of everything else."
For Horvat, working on the project has also been a therapeutic experience.
"I love going for hikes and walking, whether it's in the city or out in nature. But before this project, I sort of took trees for granted. I've always loved them, but to look at a specific tree, see what makes them unique, it has been special throughout this project," Horvat said.
Tickets to Trees.Listen on Friday cost $35 each and can be purchased online, here.
If not in Guelph, people can hear Trees.Listen when the album releases on audio streaming services worldwide this fall.
"First and foremost, we are musicians. What really motivates us and inspires us in our craft is creating music and putting it out there. I think it's always a big bonus when our music has a message that resonates and connects people," Horvat said.
"And in the world we live in now, dealing with climate change, the health of trees is so important. In fact, having more trees is important. I always feel like music has a bigger calling than just me. And that it has the power to inspire people and motivate people to take action."
In this case, the musical message is to protect trees.
"This project has brought me back to noticing and to just stop and have a 'smell the roses' kind of moment," Wallace said.
"The layers of this project are in the message of the importance of trees, of experiencing them, and literally, just listening to them."
