The High Line for Violin, Flugelhorn and Chamber Orchestra

The High Line for violin, flugelhorn and Chamber Orchestra takes its title from the eponymous public park in New York City, built on the historic elevated railway track above the streets of Upper West Side in Manhattan. It was rescued from demolition by area residents and the city government, and since 2009 functions as a hybrid public space for recreation in natural settings, art and design. Tabakova made her first visit to the park in 2011 when she learned of the project. She found the idea of transforming the old, disused railway into a public space provocative. The park solution had such a powerful impact on her that it became a stimulus for the eponymous music piece. Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, recognized as the leading modern thinking designer of greenery and true to the maxim "nature as culture", authored the design of the park areas. To D. Tabakova, green areas as habitat for birds and crickets, which add sound to the visual harmony, engender the musical content. In her own explanation, she imagines music which combines the pulse and rhythm of the street with the contemplation inspired by the park. But the contemplation is disrupted in the climax which takes us back to the street noise. The premiere of the composition took place on 22 May 2015 in Stratford-upon-Avon.