Green Awakening

Dedicated to and commissioned by Englewinds, Green Awakening musically represents the changing environment.The opening reflects the present time. We’re experiencing severe weather patterns, floods, fires and temperature swings including hotter, cold, and very windy days.

The opening notes feature a minor third followed by a tri-tone, a fourth and other unsettling intervals played together in very low and high registers of the bassoon and flute, respectively. These speak to the ‘mood swings’ of climate change.

About one+ minute into the composition, the music comes to pause on a major chord. We begin, cautiously, to feel something more positive; a hopeful transition and beginning of green re-growth! Flora and fauna are starting to grow and thrive. The music is happier one minute later (representing perhaps 10-15 years) as plant life begins to bloom! What is making this happen? What can we do to help? Well... it can begin with each of us: I can use non-plastic products/drinking straws/bags, recycle and compost. Some city and suburban groups clean up neglected/littered outdoor areas and plant new gardens in poor neighborhoods. Others have solar panels installed. The list of solutions can and will ‘blossom' even without political action. The music is optimistic and excited about turning our environment around to a green(er) awakening!

The Feb 7th, 2019 premiere of Green Awakening was performed by Englewinds. This magnificent ensemble's ecological community involvement and commitment to our environment is very inspiring!

Pamela Sklar