PINNA 2

Patterns of Plants, composed between 1996 and 2011, is Mamoru Fujieda’s magnum opus. Working with the “Plantron,” a device created by botanist and artist Yūji Dōgane, the composer measured electrical fluctuations on the surface of the leaves of plants, and converted the data thus obtained into sound using the Max programming system. Through a process he has likened to searching “in a deep forest” for “beautiful flowers and rare butterflies,” he listened for musical patterns, and used them as the basis for composing short pieces, which he then grouped into collections reminiscent of Baroque dance suites.

The resulting music is as varied and lovely as any garden. But it is more than ornamental; as pianist Sarah Cahill notes, these are pieces of great depth and expressivity.

The Patterns have been arranged for a variety of instruments and ensembles. This two-disc set is the first solo piano recording of this music to be made available outside Japan, and features the “unabashedly gorgeous” The Olive Branch Speaks, commissioned by the pianist for her A Sweeter Music project.

This lavishly packaged set is accompanied by essays from both the composer and performer.