About the compositions | Musical Remedies

The set of pieces known as Musical Remedies were created in lead sheet format in the period March – December 2004 by Andrew Morris

Inspiration

The inspiration behind the Musical Remedies is the set of 38 Flower Remedies discovered by Dr Edward Bach (1886 – 1936). Each piece of music aims to convey something of the mental, emotional and spiritual state of the corresponding Flower Remedy. The intention behind each piece of music is that is transformational rather than merely reflective, i.e. it involves the shifting of energy from one place to another.

The lead sheets give a clear indication of the melodies and harmonies. They do not always give a clear indication of the rhythmic grooves, the dynamics, the articulation, the phrasing, and indeed the musical structures. Many of the Musical Remedies have developed this more precise musical identity by the process of a group of musicians working together to create a performance realisation of a particular Remedy. So far the composer Andrew Morris has been centrally involved in this process.

Performances

Performing versions of the Musical Remedies could be created by other groups of musicians, but it is the composer’s hope and intention that any musicians working on the Musical Remedies will have some knowledge of and a broad sympathy with the history and philosophy of the Flower Remedies themselves.

The instrumental group that has worked on the Musical Remedies to date has included flute, alto sax, piano, bass and drums. There are some Musical Remedies that could use violin and others that could use trumpet. Other possibilities can be suggested and explored by other performers.

The musical remedies

The Musical Remedies pieces have been registered as a composition with the PRS by Andrew Morris (CAE number 265531466)

The following Musical Remedies have become songs with lyrics by Harriet Edwards. Harriet is named as the lyricist of these pieces in the registration with the PRS :

Crab Apple
Gentian
Rock Water
Aspen
Pine
Centaury
Red Chestnut
Chestnut Bud
Mimulus
Wild Rose

All these have been realised in performance with the exception of Mimulus. Recordings are available of Gentian, Rock Water, Aspen, Centaury, Red Chestnut and Chestnut Bud.

The remedies in realisation

The following Musical Remedies have been realised as instrumental pieces for flute and piano (often with the addition of bass and drums):

Willow
Scleranthus
Vine
Rock Rose
Impatiens
Cerato
Holly
Walnut

All these have been realised in performance.
Recordings are available of Scleranthus, Rock Rose and Holly.

The following Musical Remedies have been realised as instrumental pieces for alto sax and piano (with the addition of bass and drums) :

Elm
Larch
Vervain
Cherry Plum
Chicory (with flute as well)
Clematis (with flute as well)

All these have been realised in performance.
Recordings are available of Elm, Larch, Vervain and Cherry Plum.

The following Musical Remedies have been performed as piano solos :

Gorse
White Chestnut
Star of Bethlehem

The following Musical Remedy has been performed in a version for melodica and piano :

Sweet Chestnut

The following Musical Remedy has been performed in a version for piano, bass and drums :

Olive
A recording is available.

The following Musical Remedies have been performed in versions for trumpet with piano bass and drums :

Beech
Hornbeam
Wild Oat
Honeysuckle
Clematis (with clarinet as well)
Oak(with clarinet as well)

Recordings of live performances of Beech, Hornbeam, Honeysuckle, Clematis and Oak are all available for download from this website.

The following Musical Remedies have been realised in versions for violin and piano :

Gorse
Heather

Recordings are available on the new CD and from this website

The following Musical Remedies have been realised in versions for clarinet and piano :

Star of Bethlehem
White Chestnut

Recordings are available on the new CD and from this website