Holly
1 sound
Current age: Young
Size at maturity: 25m
Species native to: Europe (including the British Isles) and West Asia
Tree identification number: 12G0
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:
Holly is shade tolerant and typically grows as understorey in woodland; lower leaves are the most spiked, with this defensive quality not needed above grazing height; the wood is beautifully white, except at the centre of very old trees, and is highly regarded by cabinet makers.
About the composition:
The chaotic shape and sharp quality of the leaves of this tree were the inspiration for the percussive wood sounds along with smoother string sounds, which were sampled from my own library.
