A collaboration between Jason Eckardt, Distinguished Professor in the School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts, and fellow Professor Marianne Gythfeldt has brought the story of the Eastern hemlock to life through music in an unforgettable setting.
Jason Eckardt
Marianne Gythfeldt
Supported by a grant from Arts Mid-Hudson, the pair created a composition for bass clarinet exploring the history and resilience of the Eastern hemlock, a tree species once pushed to the brink in the Catskills by extensive logging for the tanning industry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The work premiered in July inside a Hudson Valley cave, where Gythfeldt performed amid the natural sounds of water dripping from the cave ceiling, creating a haunting atmosphere that echoed the piece’s environmental themes.
Today, the Eastern hemlock has made a remarkable recovery and is now the third most common tree species in New York State. The tree plays a vital ecological role, providing habitat for wildlife and helping to naturally filter and protect stream ecosystems. The composition celebrates both the species’ history and its enduring impact on the region’s landscape.
