8’52”

ARCtic Fruit

Program notes – Torch

Arctic Fruit is a collection of six short movements about some tough little plants found in the

Arctic. This piece was composed as I prepared for a retreat on the island of Svalbard –

Longyearbyen is the northernmost continuously inhabited town on the planet. This piece is

inspired by three related ideas: the fruits themselves; the tough reality of life in the Arctic for all

living things; and that learning about them can help increase curiosity and care for the whole

planet. The high Arctic is a treacherous environment to grow in: the tallest tree in Svalbard is a

3 centimeter tall willow (when it’s full grown)! Not only is Svalbard bitterly cold most of the year

(and merely very cold in the summer), but the ground underfoot is almost entirely rocks, clay, or

tundra. Only a small number of these fruits can grow each year, and they start growing under

the snow, using it for relative warmth and moisture. Because resources are so lean, the mature

berries are extremely concentrated, and their flavors are bold, tart, sweet, and flavorful. The

birds and mammals are small in number, because the land can’t support many animals. These

powerful little berries help keep some of our planet’ss last Arctic creatures alive, including

reindeer, bears, and puffins. There’s something about how tenacious and resilient the plants

and animals of the Arctic are that encourages appreciation and love for them, and can translate

into care, stewardship, and action to protect them.

Curlewberries, also known as black crowberries, are purple-black drupes

that have the highest lipid content of any European fruit, perfect for

creatures needing high-calorie nourishment. This first movement feels

desolate, remote, and cool.

Bog Cranberries are found in cool, wet, northern environments, and

obtain some of their nutrients through mycorrhizal networks. The Inuit often

cook bog cranberries with fish eggs and blubber. This 2nd movement is

heavier, darker, with a thicker texture – muddy, boggy, and layered.

Reindeer Moss is not a moss, but a lichen, which reindeer love to eat. It is

tough and springy, but fragile – it grows only about 1/8 of an inch a year,

and if trampled, can take decades to recover. The third movement is

springy and bouncy, like both the lichen and the reindeer that eat it. The

notes intertwine intricately like tiny roots, finely woven into a strong mesh.

Bearberries, also known as kinnikinnick, are red oval berries that are often

eaten by bears and humans, and are also used as medicine by some

indigenous peoples. The leaves can be used as a tobacco substitute, as a

tea, and also as incense in religious ceremonies. The 4th movement is

heavy, slow, stubborn, and a bit ominous.

Spatterdock is a yellow lily with spongey rhizomes. The seeds are eaten

by turtles and ducks, or ground into flour for human use. The 5th

movement is bright and fanfare-like with a wide range both high and low.

Bilberries are a lot like our familiar blueberries, contain healthy nutrients

and a powerful staining ability. They’re often used to make jam, liqueurs,

and sorbets. The final movement presents a solid ground, resolute, while

the clarinet and trumpet twist and wind above.