D35900B6-82E6-48E3-8F93-B356E1FFD7DC

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IDD35900B6-82E6-48E3-8F93-B356E1FFD7DC
TitlecodeEBM0610765
Title NameSongs the Plants Taught Us
Marketing CopyThe inspiration for Songs the Plants Taught Us comes from the shamanic practices of many Amazonian tribal cultures, where special songs called "icaros" are used for magical purposes. The shamans, who guard their icaros jealously, believe that they learn these melodies from the spirits of specific "teacher plants." While the piece is also influenced by the music of ancient and recent ritual cultures far from the Amazon basin - from the deserts of the Middle East to the dancefloors of Europe - it is about learning and singing a song that allows us to speak to the gods.
As a concert composer, Joshua Penman has received commissions from the Albany Symphony, New York Youth Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Foundation for Universal Sacred Music, Prism Quartet, Now Ensemble, Arraymusic, Bang on a Can, Lionheart, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, and Nouvel Ensemble Moderne.
Instrumentation3(d.Picc).2.2.2: 4.3.3.1: 3Perc: Str [1 Elec Bs]
CommissionCommissioned by the New York Youth Symphony, Paul Haas, Conductor
Dedication(not set)
Program NotesThe inspiration for Songs the Plants Taught Us comes from the shamanic practices of many Amazonian tribal cultures, where special songs called "icaros" are used for magical purposes. The shamans, who guard their icaros jealously, believe that they learn these melodies from the spirits of specific "teacher plants." While the piece is also influenced by the music of ancient and recent ritual cultures far from the Amazon basin - from the deserts of the Middle East to the dancefloors of Europe - it is about learning and singing a song that allows us to speak to the gods.
Title Brand0
Year Composed2004
Copyright Number(not set)
Copyright Year(not set)
Duration8
Ensemble Size0
Date Created2019-05-15 20:22:41.000000
Date Updated2025-09-30 20:22:41
Inhouse Note(not set)
Bsc Code(not set)
Text Author(not set)
Premier Performance Memo-World premiere- New York Youth Symphony, Paul Haas, Cond.- 11/21/2004, Queens College and 12/5/2004, Carnegie Hall
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Title Category7
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Set Series ID(not set)
Title Instrument Category TextFull Orchestra
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Title Sub Category31
Title Instrument Header41
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Clean Urlsongs-the-plants-taught-us-ebm0610765