The garden of our world, whatever we put into it, take out of it, is for us and future generations to superintend. In his treatise entitled Laudato Si’, Pope Francis outlines his vision of how we can care for our world and others around us, based solely from a stance of love and prayer, these writing inspired composer Deborah Mollison to write the chamber orchestral piece, Secret Garden.

Imagining Pope Francis walking around in the Vatican Gardens, the intoxication of surrounding vistas, the title of the composition became apparent. Biblical back references to the Garden of Eden, cinematic memories of multiple children’s dramas, as if the Secret Garden has magical spells to unlock, also prevailed.

The composition, generates an ambience of love, beauty and kindness. Other contrasting sections of dominance, philosophical concern, multi-layering represent in simple form, the complex issues that are presented to us today, as we try and navigate a path of protection for our world and guidance for our children.

If we open a figurative gate and walk into the beauty of all that we see, we can find ourselves in an environment that grows and expands with a loving spirit. Mentally and physically finding and creating our own Secret Garden whilst simultaneously nurturing the world around us. – Deborah Mollison