The Secret Symphony of Plants is an invitation to hear what we rarely stop to listen for — the hidden music of the natural world. Created by ONNA for Artpark’s new music program, this project brings together five composers —Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Ricardo Romaneiro, John Kaefer, Marcus Foster, and Brent Chancellor, for a sonic exploration rooted in the living rhythms of plants.
Using electrodes, the ONNA team captured the bioelectrical signals of moss, speedwell, black cherry, wild leeks, and buckthorn across the grounds of Artpark in Western New York. These signals, subtle changes in conductivity as the plants responded to light, temperature, and touch, were translated into MIDI data, revealing each plant’s unique internal rhythm. This raw musical language was then given to the composers, who used it as the inspiration to write new pieces of music.
These works were then performed by the chamber orchestra LUX, conducted by Brent Chancellor, and recorded live at Artpark. What you’re hearing is the result. A record that unites science, human collaboration, and the quiet intelligence of nature.
In keeping with ONNA’s regenerative mission, royalties from this album support Artpark’s Conservation Fund, closing the loop between creation and conservation, giving back to the land that inspired it.