Oak
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About the Work
Oak is inspired by the idea that once we give names to things we care more deeply for them. This piece was written during a time of trying to connect more deeply with nature through learning about the natural world, particularly through taxonomic names, inspired by my love of the Latin language. I chose to focus on the oak in this piece as it is a symbol of the English countryside (especially the English Oak as in this piece), but it was also a deeply meaningful symbol in Ancient Roman culture.
Names are the way we humans build relationship, not only with each other but with the living world.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, in 'Braiding Sweetgrass'
I was lucky enough to have been selected to take part in the Composer Academy at Cheltenham Music Festival 2025, where this piece was developed in collaboration with the Carice Singers, George Parris, and Daniel Kidane.
Technical Details
Voicing
SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass)
Extended Techniques
Overtone singing
Accompaniment
A capella (unaccompanied)
Score
Please find the score below. If you are interested in performing this piece, please get in touch.
⬇ Oak Score (PDF)Credits
Composer
Cloe Savannah Hotham
Text
Lucretius 'De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things)
English translation by A. E. Stallings
Latin taken from Book 5, lines 71 - 75
Premiere
Written for the Composer Academy at Cheltenham Music Festival 2025, performed by Carice Singers, directed by George Parris
Recording
Performed by Carice Singers, directed by George Parris