James Weeks (composer)

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

Career

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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

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One performer

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  1. ^ "Biography". www.jamesweeks.org. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Biography". www.jamesweeks.org. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Biography". www.jamesweeks.org. 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.