The concert “Ultrasound: The Secret Symphony of the Plants,” held on August 25, 2024, at Artpark in Lewiston, NY, was an extraordinary event that uniquely blended music, nature, and technology. Part of Artpark’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, this concert featured world premieres of five newly commissioned works by composers Brent Chancellor, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Ricardo Romaneiro, Marcus Foster, and John Kaefer. Each piece was inspired by the unique botanical environment of Artpark, incorporating plant-generated sounds recorded on-site.

The event transcended traditional concert formats, offering a multisensory experience where natural sounds were seamlessly integrated into contemporary compositions and electronic music. The projected visual elements, rooted in the natural environment from which the sounds were drawn, created a deeply engaging atmosphere. This approach not only attracted a near sell-out crowd but also demonstrated how contemporary music can captivate a diverse audience when presented thoughtfully.

Before the concert, I had a conversation with Brent Chancellor, who served as both a composer and conductor for the event. He emphasized that while contemporary composers often push the boundaries of music theory, they sometimes lose sight of the audience’s experience. Chancellor highlighted the importance of balancing intellectual rigor with emotional accessibility—a balance that was clearly achieved in this concert.

The Composer’s Challenge: Balancing Innovation and Accessibility

Contemporary classical music often finds itself at a crossroads, where the pursuit of innovation can clash with the need for accessibility. This genre frequently emphasizes exploring new techniques, pushing the boundaries of musical norms, and challenging traditional structures. However, this focus on complexity and intellectual rigor can sometimes alienate audiences who are unfamiliar with avant-garde concepts, leaving them disconnected from the music.

This dilemma—whether music should primarily serve the composer’s creative exploration or the audience’s experience—has long been a point of contention in the world of classical music. Historically, composers like Arnold Schoenberg, known for his development of the twelve-tone technique, epitomized the tension between innovation and accessibility. Schoenberg’s work was revolutionary, challenging the very foundation of tonality and pushing music into a new era. Yet, his emphasis on pure music—music that exists for its own sake, independent of conventional harmonic structures—often left audiences perplexed and disconnected. Schoenberg himself acknowledged that his music might take decades, if not more, to be fully understood and appreciated by the general public.

The debate over whether composers should prioritize their artistic vision or the listener’s experience is not new. Some argue that music should be an unfiltered expression of the composer’s intent, serving the art form itself, even if it risks alienating the audience. Others believe that the true power of music lies in its ability to connect with listeners, to evoke emotions, and to create shared experiences. In this view, the composer’s role is to serve both the music and the audience, ensuring that the innovation does not come at the expense of accessibility.

The concert at Artpark, “Ultrasound: The Secret Symphony of the Plants,” offered a compelling example of how this balance can be achieved. The composers used natural sounds recorded at Artpark as the foundation for their pieces, making the music more relatable and emotionally resonant. This approach bridged the gap between innovative composition and audience engagement, allowing listeners to connect with the music on a deeper, more personal level. By grounding their compositions in familiar, real-world sounds, the composers turned what could have been an abstract, intellectual exercise into a shared, immersive experience.

Balancing the Familiar and Unfamiliar: A Conversation with Marcus Foster

In another insightful conversation, I spoke with Marcus Foster, one of the composers featured in the concert. Foster discussed the importance of balancing the known with the unknown in his compositions. He explained that alternating between familiar and unfamiliar elements within a piece is key to maintaining the audience’s attention. Familiar motifs and sounds provide a sense of comfort and relaxation, allowing listeners to feel grounded and connected to the music. On the other hand, introducing unfamiliar or unexpected elements can pique the audience’s curiosity, keeping them engaged and intrigued by the unfolding musical narrative.

Foster emphasized that this balance is crucial in contemporary music, where listeners may be more easily disoriented by unfamiliar sounds and structures. By carefully alternating between these elements, composers can guide the audience through the music, providing them with both moments of reassurance and excitement. This approach not only enhances the listening experience but also helps to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility, making contemporary music more approachable for a wider audience.

Marketing and Presentation: The Key to Audience Engagement

The success of “Ultrasound: The Secret Symphony of the Plants” was not solely due to the quality of the music but also to its effective marketing and presentation. The event was marketed as a unique and exclusive experience, directly tying the music to the natural environment of Artpark. This strategy attracted a diverse audience, from contemporary music enthusiasts to nature lovers.

The integration of visual elements like plants and flowers around the instruments and on the stands and the natural surroundings of Artpark deepened the audience’s engagement. By using plant-generated sounds and linking them to the physical environment, the composers created a concert that felt both innovative and grounded. This approach demonstrated that when music is presented in a context that audiences can relate to, it becomes more than just a performance—it becomes an experience.