The natural world is a never-ending source of fascination and inspiration for composers. From the datura plant in southern China to a rare bird in the wilds of Australia to strange animals that exist only in the composer’s imagination, we’re featuring music inspired by the boundless creativity of nature.
Flora and Fauna
Playlist
Anthology of Fantastic Zoology (excerpt), by Mason Bates
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Riccardo Muti, conductor
Night Butterflies: Volante, Adagietto, Vivo meccanico, by Alexander Raskatov
Seattle Symphony; Ludovic Morlot, conductor; Tomoko Mukaiyama, piano
There is Often No Pressure to be a Giraffe If You Are Not One, by Don Freund
Amos Gillespie Quintet
“The Olive Branch Speaks”: Pattern A, by Mamoru Fujieda
Sarah Cahill, piano
And Birds are still?, by Takashi Yoshimatsu
Manchester Camerata; Sachio Fujioka, conductor
Invisible Lilacs: Very Fast, by Tobias Picker
Keir GoGwilt, violin; Nathaniel LaNasa, piano
Anthology of Fantastic Zoology, by Mason Bates
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Riccardo Muti, conductor