Apples, Branches, Body

Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, violin, cello

Duration: 8 minutes

Apples, Branches, Body was inspired by Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree.” In the story, a tree gives itself up little by little for the boy that it loves, offering its leaves to play with, its shade to rest under, its apples to sell, and its branches to build a house with, but all the while the boy drifts farther apart from the tree as he grows. When the boy is a man, the tree tells him to “Cut down my trunk and make a boat” so that he may travel the world, a gift that is selfless, generous, and undeserved. The man lives his life and doesn’t visit for many years. Upon returning as an old man, the tree offers its stump for him to rest on. Many view this story to be upsetting, and it certainly is, but it is also beautiful. In my eyes, this is the purest expression of love: to make sacrifices for others without expecting things in return.

This piece is dedicated to my father – my “Giving Tree” – who has generously and selflessly helped me throughout my life, and who has given me the gift of an education and support for my journey as a composer.

Written for Hub New Music, this composition was recorded by them at the Del Mar International Composers Symposium in August, 2022 and premiered by students at the Peabody Conservatory in September.

Score to View: https://drive.google.com/file/d/127OwEtrTW1Dnh2nTcCawSkcPEztGNx9S/view?usp=drive_link