Sequoia National Park Â
Behind the Parks Interview
If you’ve ever stood among the Sequoias and felt your thoughts get quiet… this is for you. Join me for a behind-the-scenes conversation with Biljana, composer for Sequoia National Park—about turning ancient beauty into music you can feel.
The Composer
Biljana Bojović
Biljana Bojović came to the United States from the Balkans after graduating Music High School in her hometown, Bitola. She is an alumna of Interlochen Arts Academy, West Virginia University, and Butler University.
She studied music composition with Kevin Beavers, John Beall, Frank Felice, and Michael Schelle and has participated in composition masterclasses with Goce Kolarovski, William Bolcom, Eric Ewazen, Seymour Barab, Elvis Costello, Bright Sheng, Paul Chihara, Elliott Schwartz, Stephen GryÄŤ, and more.
Biljana’s compositions have been performed at festivals, conferences, and various recitals throughout the United States, England, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey and Finland.
Her works are written mostly for solo instruments and chamber ensembles, often drawing inspiration from Balkan folk and Orthodox church music as well as from people, nature, theology, psychology, cultures, world music, visual art, and literature.
Biljana lives with her husband in California where she continues to compose, teach, and perform.Â
The Music
A Tale of Ancient Sequoias
Written for violin and piano, approx. 9 minutes in duration, audio featuring Vanessa Porter and Eric Kao.
In the composer’s words, “A Tale of Ancient Sequoias is comprised of three parts: Sequoiadendron Giganteum, Winter Idyll, and The Babbling Brook—which are performed attacca, but may also be performed as stand-alone pieces.
The first part reflects the grandiosity of the sequoia trees and the sense of awe and wonder in their midst.
The second part is contemplative, reflective, and feels as if time doesn’t exist—there in the winter stillness of the groves—while it also gives an homage to the Native Americans of the West, by gently embroidering an inspired interpretation of the folk song “Song of the Snowflakes” from the Mono Tribe.
The third part is joyful and playful, alluding to the awakening of nature with the sounds of babbling waters and chirping birds, whimsically spinning and twirling back to the majesty of the ancient sequoias.” “
The Artists
- Michael Eardley, recording engineer with Tanglewood Productions in Reno Nevada
- Eric Kao, pianist from Reno Nevada
