Robert Saxton

Hortus Musicae

Robert Saxton 's Hortus Musicae, Book 1 was commissioned by Ian Richie for the 2013 City of London Festival with funds provided by the John S. Cohen Foundation. The first performance was given by Clare Hammond on June 24th 2013 at the church of St Mary Le Bow. The title, less 'literal' in Latin than in the vernacular, refers to the idea of an allegorical/metaphysical garden (reference to a 'real', or existing, garden might be implied by Hortus Musicus) with various facets. The titles of the individual pieces/movements, with their respective garden image, are as follows: 1) Hortus Somniorum: a fleeting vision of a 'magical' garden 2) Hortus Temporis: a reflection of/on the floralclock described by Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) in his [metaphysical] poem The Garden: How well the skilful gardener drew Of flowers and herbs this dial new Where from above the milder sun Does through a fragrant zodiac run; And, as it works, the industrious bee Computes its time as well as we. How could such sweet and wholesome hours Be reckoned but with herbs and flowers! 3) Hortus Cantus: A garden in which nature 'sings' (praises), in the manner of a 'chorale prelude' and ending with the cantus firmus transformed into bells. 4) Hortus Infinitatis: A meditative/formal garden representing Time suspended, in the form of a palindromic prolation canon combined with a harmonic ground (chaconne). 5) Saltatio Hortensis: A (summer) garden of dancing, celebratory nature. Its essence (and that of the entire cycle, both metaphorically and structurally/formally) is summed up in words spoken by Miranda in WH Auden's 1944 Tempest [Shakespeare]-inspired poem The Sea And The Mirror; So, to remember our changing garden, we Are linked as children in a circle dancing. Duration: 15 minutes.