Yew
1 sound
Current age: Mature
Size at maturity: 25m
Species native to: Europe (including the British Isles)
Tree identification number: 0HY1
Composer name
Arnau Brichs Ponce
About the composer:
Born in Barcelona (2000), studied jazz with Marina Albero and Chano Domínguez and classical piano with Mireia Datzira in the IEA Oriol Martorell whilst performing solo piano recitals in venues like Ateneu Barcelonès or Casa Orlandai and winning the 2nd Arjau Chamber Music Prize. He also performed at the 47th International Music Festival of Cadaqués. In 2016, he moved to the UK to attend the Purcell School for Young Musicians, studying composition with Joseph Phibbs, Deborah Pritchard and Brian Elias. His song for school patron Dame Kiri Te Kanawa later won a prize at the "WCSMS 2019 Promising Young Composers Competition" (USA). He was awarded a full ABRSM scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he is currently working under Helen Grime and Rubens Askenar. He has received advice and lessons, among others, by composers like Kaija Saariaho, Georg Friedrich Haas, Hans Abrahamsen or Tansy Davies. He has worked with a wide range of artists such as the Uusinta Ensemble (Finland), Academy Manson Ensemble, Lucy Goddard or Rolf Hind, who premiered his piece "La Coïssor” at the Occupy the Pianos Festival (London) as part of a Call for Scores.
About the tree:
There's a maxim that trees are generally younger than you think, except for yews which are older than you think. One report suggests that a tree in Perthshire is 1500 years old, making it the oldest plant in Britain. Some say trees can be up to 4000 years old.
About the composition:
This family of trees appeared to me as somewhat dense and dark, when looking from the outside. This tree has a curved bottom trunk, is tall and thin, and a few elevated leaves. The music here sought to represent that by having all the low sounds ‘dancing upon themselves' and the high sounds be more static.
