ABOUT

Many Fruited Dog Tooth
2025

Many Fruited Dog Tooth” [Cynodontium polycarpon] is the name of a moss native to Britain. I love all that this name implies: sharp and soft, blooming but also decaying, sounds that cling, embedded rootlessness. I imagine this music as an encounter with something that has already existed for a long time and will continue to do so once you stop listening.

This is the third piece in a series of works that share names with mosses - the other two are Lurid Cupola Moss (string trio), and Rusty Swan Neck Moss (solo cello).

It is important to note that none of these piece are “about moss”.

Commissioned by 12 Ensemble, premiered at Wigmore Hall.

Ensemble

Strings: 4.3.2.2.2

11’

(also possible as 4.3.2.3.1)

Isabella Gellis