Casken, John: Tree of Angels

for cello and organ

Tree of Angels embodies ideas of both trees and angels. I found myself imagining this rood-tree silently occupied by angels alongside Jesus – watchful, guarding, defiant, singing and lamenting – images that helped shape the expressive world of the piece. Messiaen regarded birds as angels, which was part of his fascination with birdsong, and although there is no direct emulation of birdsong in Tree of Angels, certain gestures may at times evoke the movement, sound, or song of birds. The two instruments are conceived as equal partners, though the cello is the leading voice. There are, however, several passages in which the sounds of the cello and organ are very close, especially when the music takes on the character of a medieval three- or four-part motet. © 2026 John Casken