James Weeks (composer)
{{Short description|British composer, conductor and teacher of composition}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
Dr James Weeks (born 1978) is a British composer, conductor and teacher of composition.
Career
Weeks was educated at the University of Cambridge,{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamesweeks.org/biography.html|title=Biography|website=www.jamesweeks.org|access-date=2016-05-24}} before studying a Ph.D in Composition under Michael Finnissy at the University of Southampton.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamesweeks.org/biography.html|title=Biography|website=www.jamesweeks.org|access-date=2016-05-24}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jamesweeks.org/biography.html|title=Biography|website=www.jamesweeks.org|access-date=2016-05-24}}
Weeks is also well known for his work with EXAUDI,{{Cite web|url=http://www.exaudi.org.uk/about-us/|title=EXAUDI » ABOUT US|website=www.exaudi.org.uk|access-date=2016-05-24}} which he co-founded with the soprano Juliet Fraser in 2002.{{Cite web|url=http://www.exaudi.org.uk/about-us/|title=EXAUDI » ABOUT US|website=www.exaudi.org.uk|access-date=2016-05-24}}
As well as a composer and conductor, Weeks is also an active writer on classical music, working with the Guardian,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/09/diggers-choral-work-james-weeks|title=Diggers for victory: 17th-century radicals inspire choral music|last=Weeks|first=James|date=2011-06-09|website=The Guardian|access-date=2016-05-24}} Tempo{{Cite journal|last=Weeks|first=James|title=Along the Grain: The Music of Cassandra Miller |date=2014-07-01|url=http://journals.cambridge.org/article_S0040298214000060|journal=TEMPO|volume=68|issue=269|pages=50–64|doi=10.1017/S0040298214000060|s2cid=144636018 |issn=1478-2286|url-access=subscription}} and the BBC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso/events/performers/bbeeb915-2fab-4472-8222-0ad140d00047|title=BBC - Scottish Symphony Orchestra - James Weeks|website=BBC Music Events|access-date=2016-05-24}}
He is currently assistant professor in music at Durham University,{{Cite web |title=Dr Weeks - Durham University |url=https://www.dur.ac.uk/staff/james-d-weeks/ |access-date=2017-11-11 |website=www.dur.ac.uk |language=en}} previously head of composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.{{Cite web|url=http://gsmd.ac.uk/|title=Guildhall School of Music & Drama {{!}} Home|website=gsmd.ac.uk|access-date=2016-05-24}}
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
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Category:British male conductors (music)
Category:21st-century British conductors (music)
Category:21st-century British male musicians
Category:21st-century British composers