The Banyan Tree

A banyan is a variety of ficus that can spread out indefinitely by dropping auxiliary roots from its branches. Over time, banyans can occupy large amounts of spacesometimes up to nearly an acre of land. Multiple world cultures assign spiritual significance to banyans, and there are spectacular examples of them in tropical latitudes from India to Southeast Asia. The specific banyan referenced in this composition lives in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and its age is estimated to be about 150 years. I have known this tree since I was a small child, and I go back and visit it whenever I can. The song of the Spot-breasted Oriole is imitated by several instruments in different parts this piece. This bird song is distinctive due to its repeated pattern of changing pitches, all of which are bent in a descending direction. A field recording of the Oriole's song, which I collected in 2021, can be heard near the end, and it can be downloaded from my website: JohnPrescottMusic.com The design of The Banyan Tree makes use of frequent alternation of busy, frenetic music with that which is more sustained, relaxed and introspectivean allegory having to do with our modern lives. It is structured in nine distinct sections with the following names. I. Fanfare II. Spot-breasted oriole III. Megalopolis 1 IV. Ultramarine blue V. Busylife VI. Return of the orioles VII. Megalopolis 2 VIII. Great Achievements IX. The Banyan It is important that we humans find ways to achieve balance between the frantic nature of our society's expectations and the more reflective, introspective nature of the soul. Our electronic devices seemingly require us to move and react at the speed of light, but we are meant to do so at the speed of life. Even when our busy lives result in great achievements, a banyan remains a welcome refuge. The spirit of the banyan tree and the song of the Spot-breasted Oriole infuse this music, and they give it a sense of stability amid this frenetic world. I invite you to allow the tree to work its magic on you for a while.