Butterfly Weed 

During the pandemic Kathleen Blackwell-Plank found joy and solace in walks in nature and gardening. Her awareness of trees, birds and plants grew on her neighborhood strolls. The impact of climate change has become apparent even on the local level inspiring a desire to take steps personally to establish and nurture gardens that will attract and support pollinators, birds and wildlife. The commitment to biodiversity is now an inspiration for her original composition for pedal or lever harp, “Butterfly Weed: Asclepias.” This beautiful piece explores the many tone colors of the harp using techniques such as sons xylo, where fingers of the left-hand mute strings to create the sound of a xylophone or pincé where the string is pinched and pulled by the index finger and thumb. Près de la table (p.d.l.t.) or playing with the hand near the soundboard provides another voice for the melody. Images of nature and the movement of butterflies are suggested by the musical motifs utilized.