A note from the composer...
Secret Flowers is a set of four songs for soprano and piano, all with a reference to flowers. TheFlower, My Star and The PassionateShepherd to his Love lead towards the last song, Secret Flowers, which relates to the first three both lyrically and musically and also contrasts by being unaccompanied.
The first song, The Flower, creates a direct imagery of the flower’s relationship with humans; its music is rich and angular. The second, My Star, is lighter in texture and associates the concept of a star with that of a flower. The Passionate Shepherd takes a lyrical approach and includes mention of a flower within the context of a love song. The final song, Secret Flowers, incorporates each of the main subject matter of the three preceding songs (‘flower’, ‘star’ and ‘love’)in its text and also borrows musical references; however, its overall style is quite different.
The songs were incorporated into a set for soprano and piano in early 2010 in response for a request for music from the soprano Belinda Evans. The last song, Secret Flowers, is written especially for her.
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