A Forest Unfolding is a collaborative cantata about people and trees (2018)
for Soprano and Baritone Soloists, Narrator, and Flute (& Alto flute), Clarinet (& B.Clarinet), Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano (35′)
RECORDING (as of May 15, 2026): https://newfocusrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/a-forest-unfolding
WEB PAGE: https://davekgarner.wixsite.com/aforestunfolding (Includes information on the texts, about the process, the performance history, and on how to obtain the score and parts)
INSIDE A FOREST UNFOLDING, a collaborative cantata about trees, 26′ movie by David Kirkland Garner. How did A Forest Unfolding develop? What’s its relationship to The Overstory by Richard Powers? Why did we choose and set these texts? Includes interviews with Richard Powers, Laura Gilbert, Jonathan Bagg, and the four composers (Eric Moe, David Kirkland Garner, Melinda Wagner and Stephen Jaffe); excerpts of musical scenes featuring Rachel Calloway, soprano and Tom Meglioranza, baritone, and Powers himself as narrator. The footage also emphasizes arboreal scenes (Arboreal was one working title!), and a spirit of collaborative music making that make the work so unique and important for the composers and audiences.
PROMOTIONAL VIDEO: promo video on YouTube
