HELEN ANAHITA WILSON

From november 2nd 2023: Listen, download and donate here

Every single sound in linea naturalis is derived from bioelectricity in plants with medicinal and healing properties. 

Bioelectricity is generated by a variety of biological processes in all living cells. 

We are all bioelectrical beings.

This work was created by taking unique, natural bioelectricity readings from petals, leaves, trunks and branches of plants in the oncology section of the Chelsea Physic Garden, London. These plant signals were then converted into musical data. 

Each of the 28 plant recordings express their own special patterns of pitch and rhythm: the petal recordings are very active with a variety of different notes and rhythms whilst the branch and trunk recordings are slow moving, with drone-like textures.

Once the bioelectricity recordings were converted into separate musical data tracks, I assigned an instrument to each of these 28 parts. For example, the petals of the Madagascan Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus - pink form) are played by the harp and the bark of the English Yew tree (Taxus baccata) is played by the viola. The birdsong and rainstorm are field recordings triggered by signals from a small Sisal (Agave sisalana) and an Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), respectively.

I combined these instrumental lines and applied compositional processes of editing and development to create a unique piece of plant-derived music. 

At times, such as the opening minute of the piece, all the plant recordings are sounded together as an ensemble. At other points in the piece, particular plants take the role of a soloist with just a couple of plants accompanying quietly in the background.

Plants featured in linea naturalis are:

Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘fastigiata’)

Chinese Happy Tree (Camptotheca acuminata)

English Yew (Taxus baccata)

Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia)

Madagascan Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus - white form)

Madagascan Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus - pink form)

Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)

Sisal (Agave sisalana)

Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua)

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Myrtle / Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Linea naturalis can be listened to by anyone, anywhere, but is dedicated to people undergoing treatment for cancer. Many chemotherapy and other anti-cancer treatments are derived from plants: exactly the same plants recorded in this piece of music. Linea naturalis offers a means for people to connect back to nature whilst receiving treatment in the sterile, unnatural environment of a hospital or cancer centre.

This music aims to demystify cancer treatment through highlighting the natural derivation of many drugs. In doing so, I hope to make the experience of treatment a little less daunting by offering this calming and reassuring music to listen to. Linea naturalis is 45 minutes long: this is the average time it takes for the contents of a chemotherapy drip bag to enter the body so ideal to listen to when receiving treatment in hospital. 

The music is inspired by my own challenging but successful treatment for cancer; I wanted to create something positive and practical from my experience and I very much hope others will find this music helpful. It should ideally be listened to with headphones.

Linea naturalis is free to listen to or download with a Pay What You Wish option. Please visit the Bandcamp page here. All proceeds of this music will go to Maggie’s, a charity offering care and support to people with cancer across the UK.