By Isabel Scott
From all genres and corners of musical history, plenty of composers have used the concept of gardens as a starting point for theor works. Here are some of our favourite pieces of classical music inspired by gardens.
PHOTO: Francis C. Franklin
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: ‘The waltz of the flowers’ (The Nutcracker)
The first piece in our survey of classical music inspired by gardens comes from the second act of Tchaikovsky’s ever-popular ballet The Nutcracker. ‘The waltz of the flowers’ draws inspiration from gardens with a wintry feel to close the Nutcracker. The harp solo towards the start of the piece evokes a daintiness which gives way to a delicate waltz, personifying the quality of flowers. The piece has been adapted several times, once for the piano by Percy Grainger who himself took inspiration from gardens.
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Percy Grainger: Country Gardens
Percy Grainger’s 1918 revival of Country Gardens for both orchestra and piano is another classic. When reworking the piece for orchestra, Grainger deliberately used ‘wrong’ notes, remarking that ‘the typical English country garden is not often used to grow flowers in; it is more likely to be a vegetable plot. So you can think of turnips as I play it.’ The result is a lively piece that nods to the imperfections and natural beauty of a country garden.
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Jasmine Morris: Magnolia Galaxy
Inspired by the magnolia galaxy tree, this 2024 piece by Royal College of Music student Jasmine Morris was commissioned by Kew Gardens, in partnership with the Royal College of Music, for their ‘Sounds of Blossom’ exhibition in spring earlier this year. As a young composer Morris is interested in musical experimentation and pushing boundaries, and this piece is a fine example of both. Morris looked to combine recorded sound with live sound, creating an immersive sound experience within the setting of Kew Gardens.
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Dmitri Shostakovich: ‘In the garden’ (Hamlet Suite)
Composed for Kozintev’s 1964 film adaptation of Hamlet, Shostakovich’s piece accompanies the lovers ‘in the garden’. It opens with a sense of grandiosity, reflecting the mood of Hamlet, whilst the prominent use of strings pick up on the garden motif.
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Frederick Delius: In a summer garden
Last on our list of classical music inspired by gardens, this orchestral piece, written in 1908 by English composer Frederick Delius, perfectly evokes the feel of a clear summer’s day. With a nod to Rossetti in the published score: ‘All are my blooms; and all sweet blooms of love. To thee I gave while Spring and Summer sang’, Delius gives us some insight into the emotional tone of the orchestral piece. Delius intersects his lover, the summer and the garden resulting in a piece that epitomises the pleasure of romance in summer.