‘December’ is movement 12 from Twelve Trees – a collection of pieces celebrating trees native to the British Isles by Katy Lavinia Cooper, with words by Catriona Downie.
The custom of burning a Yule log has been a part of British winter festivities for centuries. With its origins in earlier pagan solstice celebrations, the later Christmas practice calls for the log to be burned each evening from Christmas Eve until Twelfth Night, with the remnants kept throughout the rest of the year for luck. In Devon and Somerset, the ‘log’ could actually be a tightly bound bundle of coppiced ash twigs, some say to remember the shepherds lighting twigs to keep Joseph, Mary and Jesus warm on Christmas night. Ash is one of the most highly valued firewoods, burning for a long time with an intense heat, whether seasoned or green. The music references the Sans Day Carol, said to be named after the village of St Day in Cornwall.
Twelve trees was commissioned to mark 60 years of Sing for Pleasure and first performed at Summer School 2024. Words by Catriona Downie and music by Katy Lavinia Cooper (O Lux Beata). A collection of twelve pieces celebrating trees native to the British Isles and drawing inspiration from history, folklore and traditional music.
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