Staff profile

James Weeks is a composer and conductor specialising in new music, based in the UK. His music is performed and broadcast worldwide and four portrait discs of his work have been released to date: Mala punica/Walled Garden (Winter&Winter, 2017), Signs of Occupation (Métier 2016), mural (confront 2015) and TIDE (Métier 2013). He has written for many leading ensembles and soloists including Plus-Minus, Quatuor Bozzini, London Sinfonietta, New London Chamber Choir, Phoenix Piano Trio, EXAUDI, Ekmeles, Mira Benjamin, Alison Balsom, Apartment House and Anton Lukoszevieze.

His work is typically focused on music for soloists or small ensembles, exploring pared-down, 'primary' musical syntaxes and systems, with particular interests in modality, microtonality, modularity and indeterminacy. Major works include Schilderkonst (mixed ensemble, 2003-4), TIDE (ensemble and electronics, 2007-10), the South London Harmonies series (various ensembles, 2008-11), Mala punica/Walled Garden (8 voices and ensemble, 2008-9/2015), The Freedom of the Earth (chorus and instruments, 2011), Three Trios (piano trio and tapes, 2010-11), Radical Road (voices with stones, 2014) and Primo Libro (6 voices, 2012-16).

Current projects (Autumn 2017) include an hour-long solo violin piece, windfell, for Mira Benjamin, works for the London-based ensemble Apartment House and Quatuor Bozzini, a choral installation for experimental vocal collective Musarc, and an ongoing series of pieces for CoMA (Contemporary Music for All), with whom he has been closely associated since 2014. He is also editing the CoMA Partsong Book, a volume of new experimental music for small vocal groups, to be published in 2018.

In 2002 he founded EXAUDI (www.exaudi.org.uk) with soprano Juliet Fraser, now regarded as one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles for new music. As well as maintaining a busy international touring and recording schedule with EXAUDI, he is in great demand as a guest conductor, working regularly with instrumental ensembles and orchestras such as Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBCSSO, London Sinfonietta, musikFabrik, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and L’Instant Donné. He has also worked extensively with amateur musicians, both at CoMA and in early music fora and summer schools around the UK.

Previously Associate Head of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, he took up the post of Associate Professor of Composition at Durham in October 2017.

www.jamesweeks.org

• Contemporary music performance
• Composition
• New music aesthetics
• Experimental music
• Microtonality
• Contemporary vocal music

Chapter in book

• Weeks, James (2019). Finnissy's Voices. In Critical Perspectives on Michael Finnissy: Bright Futures, Dark Pasts. Pace, Ian & McBride, Nigel London: Routledge.

Composition

• Weeks, James (2019). windfell (2017) for solo violin. University of York Music Press. First performance October 2017. Duration: 60 mins.
• Weeks, James (2018). Venetian Sky. York. University of York Music Press. First performance March 2018. Duration: 5 mins.
• Weeks, James (2017). Primo Libro (2012-16) for six solo voices. University of York Music Press. First performance October 2017. Duration: 20 mins.
• Weeks, James (2017). Libro di fiammelle e ombre (2017/18) for six solo voices. University of York Music Press. First performance April 2017. Duration: 25 mins.
• Weeks, James (2017). Ave maris stella (2003/17) for mixed or upper voices, violin and organ. University of York Music Press. Duration: 8 mins.
• Weeks, James (2017). Inscription (2011/12) for four voices and string quartet. University of York Music Press. Duration: 9 mins.
• Weeks, James (2017). Meadow (2016) for a large number of performers, singing or/and playing. University of York Music Press. Duration: open
• Weeks, James (2017). Bee Haven (2017) for large group of strings. University of York Music Press. Duration: 20 mins.
• Weeks, James (2016). common ground (2013-14) for string trio. University of York Music Press. Duration: 10 mins.
• Weeks, James (2016). ærc (2016) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 12). University of York Music Press. Duration: 26-30 mins.
• Weeks, James (2016). Signs of Occupation (2014) for clarinet and speaking voice. University of York Music Press. Duration: 13 mins.
• Weeks, James (2016). Joy (2016) for 2 violins and percussion. University of York Music Press. Duration: 10 mins.
• Weeks, James (2015). Walled Garden (2015) for 2 alto flutes, bass flute, string trio. University of York Music Press. Duration: 20 mins.
• Weeks, James (2015). Cornish String Music (2015) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 16). University of York Music Press. Duration: 15 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Two Perscriptions (2002-4) for solo piano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 13 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Come Away (2008) for soprano, violin, cello, piano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 12 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Siciliano (2003) for solo piano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 4 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Softest Numbers (2014) - for violin and piano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 3 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Stacking, Weaving, Building, Joining (2007) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 6). University of York Music Press. Duration: open
• Weeks, James (2014). The Nunhead Harmony (2009) for clarinet, violin, viola, double bass. University of York Music Press. Duration: 15 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Radical Road (2014) for 30 or more singers with stones. University of York Music Press. Duration: 20 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). New Day (2006) for solo piano and ensemble. University of York Music Press. Duration: 10 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Olympic Frieze (2014) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 12). University of York Music Press. Duration: open
• Weeks, James (2014). Schilderkonst (2003-4) for ensemble. University of York Music Press. Duration: 55 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). mural (2012-13) for one or more vocal quartets. University of York Music Press. Duration: open
• Weeks, James (2014). A tear (2014) for mixed-voice choir and organ. University of York Music Press. Duration: 9 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Matsushima (2005) for 1-4 pianos. University of York Music Press. Duration: 1 min.
• Weeks, James (2014). Digger (2010) for solo guitar. University of York Music Press. Duration: 6 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Sacred Muses (2005). University of York Music Press. Duration: 4 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). Looping Busker Music (2013) for violin, clarinet, accordion, guitar and tape. University of York Music Press. Duration: 13 mins.
• Weeks, James (2014). The Catford Harmony (2008/14) for oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, cello, piano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 9 mins.
• Weeks, James (2013). Narrow Path (2012) for solo flute. University of York Music Press. Duration: 5 mins.
• Weeks, James (2013). Three Trios (2010-11) for piano trio and tape. University of York Music Press. Duration: 24 mins.
• Weeks, James (2013). Orlando Tenebrae (2010) for SATB choir. University of York Music Press. Duration: 25 mins.
• Weeks, James (2013). Sky (2010) for clarinet and electronics. University of York Music Press. Duration: 30 mins.
• Weeks, James (2013). Freehand Etude (2012) for three performers. University of York Music Press. Duration: 8 mins.
• Weeks, James (2013). The World in tune (2013) for solo soprano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 7 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). Mala punica (2008-9) for 8 solo voices. University of York Music Press. Duration: 35 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). Burnham Air (2008-9) for oboe d'amore. University of York Music Press. Duration: 12 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). Tide (2007) for solo cello with BACH bow. University of York Music Press. Duration: 12 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). Nakedness (2012) for solo soprano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 7 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). The Freedom of the Earth (2011) for chorus and ensemble. University of York Music Press. Duration: 29 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). Complainte (2007) for solo soprano. University of York Music Press. Duration: 8 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). Honey Celebration (2005) for piano trio. University of York Music Press. Duration: 10 mins.
• Weeks, James (2012). Glossa (2010) for ATB choir. University of York Music Press. Duration: 3 mins.

Edited book

• Weeks, James (2018). partsongs. CoMA.

Journal Article

• Weeks, James (2014). Along the Grain: the music of Cassandra Miller. Tempo 68(269): 50-64.
• Weeks, James (2006). More heat, more light: Christopher Fox in conversation. Tempo 60(236): 13-19.

Other (Digital/Visual Media)

• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2018). Michael Finnissy: Vocal Works 1974-2015. CD.
• Weeks, James, EXAUDI, ensemble recherche, BBC Symphony Orchestra & Martyn Brabbins (2018). Brian Ferneyhough: La terre est un homme and other works. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2017). Laurence Crane: Pieces About Art. Audio download.
• Weeks, James, EXAUDI & Hortus Ensemble (2017). James Weeks: Mala punica. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2016). James Weeks: mural. CD.
• Weeks, James & Plus-Minus Ensemble (2016). James Weeks: Signs of Occupation. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2014). Passion Texts: vocal music by Rihm and Nono. CD.
• Weeks, James & Apartment House (2013). James Weeks: TIDE. CD.
• Weeks, James, EXAUDI & L'Instant Donné (2013). Stefano Gervasoni: Dir - In Dir. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2013). EXPOSURE: works by Cassidy, Harrison, Glover, Bailie, Weeks, Chase, Molitor. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2012). Aaron Cassidy: A Painter of Figures in Rooms. Audio download.
• Weeks, James, EXAUDI & Daniel Becker (2010). Howard Skempton: Bolt from the Blue. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2009). Christopher Fox: Catalogue Irraisoné. CD.
• Weeks, James, EXAUDI & BCMG (2007). Howard Skempton: Ben Somewhen. CD.
• Weeks, James (2006). Elizabeth Lutyens: Choral and chamber works. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2005). Michael Finnissy: Maldon and other choral works. CD.
• Weeks, James & EXAUDI (2005). Christopher Fox: A Glimpse of Sion's Glory. CD.