This cello piece was written for my cellist friend, Katinka Kleijn, in honour of her 50th birthday. It was commissioned by our mutual friend, Claire Chase, and the commission fee was donated to the New Music Solidarity Fund in honor of Katinka Kleijn, as it was written during the pandemic in the year 2020.
While we and the entire world were more or less in lockdown, I reflected on my dear friend with whom I have collaborated on many projects, including my cello concerto. Since this piece was intended as a secret gift, I delved into my memories of the years spent with her, thinking about her personal interests.
That's when I recalled her deep passion for trees. This was an easy connection for me, as my wife shares a similar passion for trees and plants. She often expresses to me the magical nature of the plant world. I began contemplating how my composition would grow, realising that it didn't always follow the direction I had initially envisioned or planned. The music seemed to have a life of its own, telling me how it wanted to develop. Despite its subtle voice, I needed to be sensitive to capture what the music wanted to tell me. In this case, the melodies extended in unexpected directions, creating interesting shapes and lines. My role was to refine and polish what emerged.
As I contemplated the growth of the composition, I also considered the analogy of how trees grow. I thought about the deep, wooden colours and the distinctive sound of the cello as an instrument. Everything in this piece is a part of the natural world, reminding us not to oppose it.
Dai Fujikura