缘起 Paṭicca-samuppāda is a piece deeply inspired by the Buddhist teaching of dependent origination, which speaks to the idea that everything in life is interconnected, arising from a web of causes and conditions. It’s a reminder that nothing exists in isolation.Each moment, each experience, is shaped by countless influences. In this composition, I chose the harp for its ability to echo the sound of the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument. The harp, though Western, carries a resonance and warmth that can evoke the essence of the guzheng, blending Eastern and Western sound worlds. Through techniques that bring out delicate glissandos and cascading notes, the music reflects the ebb and flow of life’s interconnectedness—just as a single pluck of a string ripples out, affecting everything around it. I hope this piece feels like a quiet reflection, like watching how a drop of water meets the earth or how the wind carries a leaf. It’s a reminder of how everything touches everything else, in the most natural and gentle way.

Harpist: Beth Henson