On July 4, performance by the Michigan Philharmonic, conducted by Nan Washburn in Middleton, Wiscounsin.

The Diary of Anne Frank has been an important book to me since I read it as a teenager. In re-reading it, I was struck by the important role the tree that grew outside Anne’s window played in her emotional life: it represented nature, beauty, freedom and hope. These sweetened her life, despite the bitter conditions of her hiding place. She wrote eloquently about the tree, a horse chestnut, and documented its changing foliage throughout the seasons.
When I learned that a sapling from the very same tree had been planted in the garden of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, I had to visit it. The museum has a permanent exhibit on Anne Frank, with a walk-through reproduction of the secret annex. Seeing the tree and visiting the exhibit made such a powerful impression on me, that I resolved to write a piece of music about the tree.

I have a long and cherished history with The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. I was commissioned by the orchestra to compose my second piano concerto, “Ancient Keys,” as well as three works for storyteller and chamber ensemble, the latter being performed in the Children’s Museum in 2006. I brought the idea of creating a musical work for narrator and orchestra based on Anne Frank’s Tree to Music Director Matthew Kraemer and Executive Director Dana Stone, and they were excited about the prospect. I took the text directly from Anne’s words in her diary as they were so moving and vivid.

I have written two versions of the work, one for chamber orchestra and one for string quartet, which can be played in the Children’s Museum and in school concerts