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“Hans’ Tree of Life”
Debut Performance by the Caithness Handbell Ringers
This is an extraordinary opportunity to hear the debut performance of a piece of music composed for the Carnival of Plants.
Katrina Gordon worked with Thurso resident Han Mainland to compose a piece of music for handbells, flute and plant. The piece expresses the experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder.
Han lives with this condition, and with a joy and whim which produced the idea of including a plant synthesiser in this music. The handbells set the cheerful tone of this piece, while the plant provides a subtle and unnoticeable intrusion at first. Flute comes in with a tune which is neither major nor minor but something in between, with the high airy notes symbolising the delight which Han enjoys video games and time with friends. Then the plant takes a more centralised position. The synthesiser picks up minute changes in the water content of the plant’s leaves, and the soil – these changes are converted into sound by the synth. There is noticably more sound produced when the plant is interacted with, but significantly, the sounds produced are not in time with the music: they are not predictable, they are not controllable. This mirrors the way that a health condition affects every day life. It is always there, sometimes quiet, sometimes louder, but always present.
It is an honour to be able to host this collaboration, and the performance will be a treat.
Book a ticket for a guaranteed seat, but do know that you will be able to come in and stand for the performance. Booking is not essential for a standing ticket!
The venue is downstairs, with accessible ramps, an accessible toilet on the same floor and we are happy to hear about any adjustments you may need.
The performance will be filmed, and we ask you to let us know on the day if you would not like to be filmed – we will make sure that you are not included in any publicised footage.
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