The SymSonic Music Catalog

The Garden Suite - A Benefit for reStart

Enhanced CD for Windows or Mac*

A musical garden tour exploring our physical and and spiritual relationships with nature through the metaphor of the garden.  

Proceeds from the first pressing of this CD benefit reStart Incorporated, an interfaith ministry with the homeless.

Composer, David Olen Baird

Performed by :

• Shannon Finney, Flute and Piccolo
• Elena Lence Talley, Clarinet
• Ann Bilderback, Bassoon
• Robert Pherigo, Piano

1. June (3:48) -Weedy, verdant, vigorous growth exuberantly takes over my garden.
2. July (7:19) - The languorous dog-days of July are good for establishing a close relationship with a big shady elm tree.
3. August (4:50) - Nights in the garden are full of polyrhythmic music of crickets, frogs and other creatures of the night.
4. September (4:10) - The garden is green and cool.
5. October (3:34) - A chill brings things from the sky — leaves and rain fall on us — and frost paints his mysterious mischief.
6. November (5:15) - A month for celebrating the harvest — with reflections on things past and future.
7. December (2:10) -  Soft snow reverently muffles the echoes of our garden in sleep.
8. January (5:36) - Bitter cold and harsh reality drive the heartiest to January’s edge.
9. February (5:35) - Its plight is grievous perforce. In cold short days, long with shadow, we mourn the passing of our garden.
10. March (6:19) - Miracles occur with tendrils born at last into clearing air.
11. April (5:24) - April’s dance celebrates new growth.
12. May (8:04) - The garden is in full bloom again proclaiming the glory of God’s gift to us: His miraculous creation.

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Reviews:

 "A lovely work."

Rachel Hunter
Assistant Program Director / Classical Music Host
University of Kansas National Public Radio affiliate, KANU Radio 91.5 FM

“It is enjoyable to perform and is always well-received by audiences; concert-goers have sought me out after performances to tell me how much they appreciated it.  David’s music is very natural and enchanting and is easily embraced by listeners.”

Shannon Finney
Associate Principal Flute,
Kansas City Symphony

“Contributing reviewer Eric Hansen . . . noted these observations on the musical high points: ‘David Olen Baird's July, from The Garden Suite, has a nostalgic, modal melody with some surprise twists in the middle section.’”

Scott Cantrell
Classical Music Editor
Kansas City Star

"Thank you for sending me the CD of your wonderful work, The Garden Suite. Your music is fluent and full of imagination. The piece is good for the education program. My suggestion for improvement is that to explore more textures (figures and instrument combinations in different registers and timbre) and extend your imagination of tone color and instrumental idioms. Good job! Congratulations!!!!! Best, Chen Yi"

Chen Yi
Composer and recipient of American Academy of Arts and Letters' Charles Ives Living Award