James Weeks (composer)

Dr James Weeks (born 1978) is a British composer, conductor and teacher of composition.

Career

Weeks was educated at the University of Cambridge, ^[1] before studying a Ph.D in Composition under Michael Finnissy at the University of Southampton. ^[2] His works have been performed by internationally renowned ensembles and soloists such as London Sinfonietta, Apartment House, Quatuor Bozzini, Alison Balsom, EXAUDI, Morgan/Dullea, Wandelweiser, New London Chamber Choir, Uroboros Ensemble, Endymion, Anton Lukoszevieze and Christopher Redgate. ^[3]

Weeks is also well known for his work with EXAUDI, ^[4] which he co-founded with the soprano Juliet Fraser in 2002. ^[5]

As well as a composer and conductor, Weeks is also an active writer on classical music, working with the Guardian, ^[6] Tempo ^[7] and the BBC. ^[8]

He is currently assistant professor in music at Durham University, ^[9] previously head of composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. ^[10]

Works

One performer

• The World in tune solo soprano (2013)
• Narrow Path solo flute (2013)
• Nakedness solo soprano (2012)
• Sixty Notes for Anna solo cello (2010)
• Digger solo guitar (2010)
• Sky solo clarinet with electronics (2010)
• Burnham Air solo oboe d’amore (2008/9)
• Sixty Notes for Mike solo horn (2007)
• Tide solo cello (2007)
• Complainte solo soprano/mezzo (2007)
• Matsushima solo (or multiple) piano(s) (2005)
• Capricho solo violin (2003)
• Siciliano solo violin (2003)
• Two Perscriptions solo piano (2002)

Two performers

• Signs of Occupation speaking voice, clarinet (2014)
• Softest Numbers violin, piano (2014)
• A Toy violin, piano (2011)
• Sixty Notes horn, cello (2007-)
• Wie soll ich meine Seele halten violin, piano (2006/9)
• Sacred Muses trumpet, organ (2005)
• Amor de lonh soprano, harpsichord (2002)

Instrumental ensembles

• Joy 2 violins, percussion (2016)
• Cornish String Music any orchestral string instruments (2015)
• Walled Garden 2 alto flutes, bass flute, violin, viola, cello (2015)
• Olympic Frieze any pitched instruments (2014)
• common ground violin, viola, cello (2014)
• Looping Busker Music violin, clarinet, guitar, accordion, tape (2013)
• Three Trios violin, cello, piano, tape (2010–11)
• Fanfare-Canon 6 trumpets (2010)
• String Quartet (to Alberto Caeiro) string quartet (2010)
• TIDE oboe d’amore, clarinet, cello, electronics (2007–10)
• The Nunhead Harmony clarinet, violin, viola, double bass (2009)
• The Peckham Harmony mixed ensemble (2009)
• The Lewisham Harmony violin, viola, cello, piano (2008)
• The Catford Harmony mixed ensemble (2008)
• Come Away soprano, violin, cello, piano (2008)
• New Day solo piano and mixed ensemble (2006)
• Stacking, Weaving, Building, Joining any pitched instruments (2006)
• Honey Celebration violin, cello, piano (2005)
• Matsushima multiple (or solo) piano(s) (2005)
• Schilderkonst mixed ensemble, string quartet, solo piano (2003-4)

Vocal ensembles and choirs

• Old English Apple Cultivars 4 upper or lower voices (2015)
• A tear mixed voices, organ (2014)
• Radical Road voices with stones (2014)
• mural one or more vocal quartets SATB (2012–13)
• Freehand Etude three performers drawing and vocalising (2012)
• Inscription SATB soli, string quartet (2011)
• The Freedom of the Earth mixed voices, ensemble (2011)
• Glossa ATB choir (2010)
• Orlando Tenebrae SATB choir (2010)
• Mala punica SSAATTBB soli (2008-9)
• Fantastic Alarms of the Shaking Luminances mixed voices and instruments (2007)
• Hototogisu children’s choir, piano duo (2007)
• The Open Consort mixed voices and instruments (2005)
• Liebeslied als Geige SATB soli (2005)
• Spanish Ladies unison male voices, 2 clarinets, cymbal, piano (2004)
• Sint lumbi SATB choir (2004)
• Selbstbildnis als Laute SATB soli (2003)

References

1. "Biography". www.jamesweeks.org. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
2. "Biography". www.jamesweeks.org. Retrieved 24 May 2016.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
3. "Biography". www.jamesweeks.org. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
4. "EXAUDI » ABOUT US". www.exaudi.org.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
5. "EXAUDI » ABOUT US". www.exaudi.org.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
6. Weeks, James (9 June 2011). "Diggers for victory: 17th-century radicals inspire choral music". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
7. Weeks, James (1 July 2014). "Along the Grain: The Music of Cassandra Miller" . TEMPO. 68 (269): 50–64. doi:10.1017/S0040298214000060. ISSN   1478-2286. S2CID   144636018.
8. "BBC - Scottish Symphony Orchestra - James Weeks". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
9. "Dr Weeks - Durham University". www.dur.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
10. "Guildhall School of Music & Drama | Home". gsmd.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2016.