Some pieces of music seem to flow or to touch my heart more than others. Song From a Secret Garden is one of those. Song from a Secret Garden, not to be confused with the children’s novel about Mary Lennox, was composed by Rolf Lovland and was released on the album of the same name in 1996 by his group also called Secret Garden. Irish violinist Fiona Sherry is also featured in that group.
Marrisa’s Music Studio shared this quote from Rolf, “The idea of a Secret Garden is clear to everyone. Inside each of us there are our own corners, hidden spaces where feelings and impressions are born, like a small garden. Everyone finds this garden in their own way: someone describes it in words, creating poems or letters, someone draws, someone just walks, immersing themselves in thoughts about life. Everyone has their own path. But we all have something in common – deep emotions that are part of our essence. I express them through music. Everything I create comes from my personal secret garden. This composition remained nameless for a long time, known only as Piano Piece in C minor. However, when Secret Garden gained popularity, I realized that this melody could become the embodiment of my thoughts – a simple but sincere melody, born from the depths of the soul and conveyed through Finona’s delicate, emotional violin playing.” In my opinion, even his description of the piece is a beautiful song.
Here is a recording of the song from the album.
I have been playing Song From A Secret Garden arrangement by Carrie Tollet and Kevin Smuts for early-intermediate harp. Even this simplified version fills my soul with the deep peace and contentment that Rolf described.
I hope you enjoy this song and find the entrance to your own secret garden.