Pastoral Reflections is an always-fascinating album by Jill Haley and the York (Pennsylvania) Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Lawrence Golan) that features two National Park Suites composed by Jill, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral.” Jill has been composing music inspired by National Parks and National Monuments all over the US, often as part of an “artist in residence” program, since 2010. She has released eleven albums of that music as well as performing it all over the country. A member of the York Symphony Orchestra herself, Jill is widely known for her performances and recordings playing oboe, English horn and/or piano; she has also played on dozens of other artists’ recordings - especially recordings that were done at Will Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studio in Vermont.

This album is Jill Haley’s first time recording her National Park music with orchestration. She asked two colleagues, Tom Shade and David Himes, to each arrange a Suite of National Park music for solo oboe/ English horn and orchestra. She performed Suite #1 live with the York Symphony Orchestra (PA) in 2022 and was invited back to perform Suite #2 in 2025.

I’m not going to say much about the Beethoven symphony other than quoting the liner notes: “‘The Pastoral Symphony’ is a tribute to the natural world….The five-movement work is a departure from most symphonies written at that time. The first movement conveys feelings of happiness upon arrival to the countryside. A ‘scene by the brook, follows. After a ‘merry gathering of the country folk’ (third movement), a storm suddenly appears (fourth movement). This leads directly into the fifth movement, which provides a sense of peace and resolution.”

“National Parks Suite No. 1” consists of four movements beginning with “Emerald Pools Mist, Zion National Park, Utah.” The piece was inspired by a trail in the park that leads to a series of three pools that are a “stunning” shade of green, reminding Jill of lively Irish tunes that are hinted at in the music. “Queen’s Garden, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah” is more stately and was inspired by a series of sandstone rock spires, one of which is similar to a queen’s profile. “Sandstone Angles, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado” reflects on the awe and amazement of the homes and community buildings carved into the sandstone cliffs by the Ancestral Puebloan People of Southwest Colorado. “Prairie Grass Dance, Badlands National Park, South Dakota” begins with a slow, graceful intro before the percussion kicks in with a lively rhythm and sends the piece soaring.

“National Parks Suite No. 2” begins with “Sage Creek Basin, Badlands National Park, South Dakota” one of my favorites. The piece recalls a pastoral setting in a remote area of the park where Jill was able to experience the wonder of birds, animals and insects in their natural habitat. “Wind Hymn” was also inspired in Badlands, this time by the constant winds that become gentle breezes as evening approaches - very peaceful and relaxed! “Clouds Over Apgar Range, Glacier National Park, Montana” continues with the sense of serenity Jill experienced after a rainstorm in the park, watching the clouds moving freely around the mountains while slowly flowing in and out of each other - magical! “Running Eagle Falls” was also created at Glacier Park and tells the story of a young woman (Running Eagle) who spent three days soul-searching under the waterfalls to discover her mission for her people and becoming a beloved leader.

Pastoral Reflections is a beautiful and inspiring musical travelogue featuring tributes to some of the most spectacular places in the US. The album will be released on June 5, 2026 and will be available to stream and download on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as on many streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. CDs are available directly from Jill’s website. Very highly recommended!