Karen Tanaka

Lavender (1989 Version)

The composer writes: In 1989, I composed Jardin des herbes, a set of three pieces for solo harpsichord. My intention was to evoke the colour and delicate aromatic qualities of three herbs - rosemary, sweet violet and lavender. Rosemary is a bush with pale blue flowers glowing in the moonlight, Sweet Violet is described as early spring flowers with seductive scent, and Lavender with tranquility and purity. Lavender was revised in 1995. This score represents the original, 1989 version.
Jardin des herbes was written for Akiko Kuwagata, who gave the first performance in Tokyo in March 1989.