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

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

Chapter in book

• Landscape/Music
  Weeks, J. (2023). Landscape/Music. In S. Mahler Kraaz, & C. de Mille (Eds.), The Bloomsbury Handbook of Music and Art (293-299). Bloomsbury
• Finnissy's Voices
  Weeks, J. (2019). Finnissy's Voices. In I. Pace, & N. McBride (Eds.), Critical perspectives on Michael Finnissy : bright futures, dark pasts. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351031547

Composition

• Stacking, Weaving, Building, Joining (2007) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 6)
  Weeks, J. Stacking, Weaving, Building, Joining (2007) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 6)
• Siro's Garden
  Weeks, J. (in press). Siro's Garden. [score]
• Siciliano (2003) for solo piano
  Weeks, J. Siciliano (2003) for solo piano
• Düsseldorf
  Weeks, J. (2022). Düsseldorf. [score]
• Summer
  Weeks, J. (2022). Summer. [score]
• Still here (2020) for violin and piano
  Weeks, J. (2022). Still here (2020) for violin and piano. [Score]
• Weligwic (2019) for orchestra
  Weeks, J. (2020). Weligwic (2019) for orchestra. [Score]
• violute (2018) for viola and bass flute
  Weeks, J. (2019). violute (2018) for viola and bass flute. [score]
• ærc quartets (2016/18) for any four bowed string instruments
  Weeks, J. (2019). ærc quartets (2016/18) for any four bowed string instruments. [score]
• windfell (2017) for solo violin
  Weeks, J. (2019). windfell (2017) for solo violin
• ærc duos
  Weeks, J. (2018). ærc duos. [score]. York
• violet
  Weeks, J. (2018). violet. [score]
• Venetian Sky
  Weeks, J. (2018). Venetian Sky
• Primo Libro (2012-16) for six solo voices
  Weeks, J. (2017). Primo Libro (2012-16) for six solo voices
• Libro di fiammelle e ombre (2017/18) for six solo voices
  Weeks, J. (2017). Libro di fiammelle e ombre (2017/18) for six solo voices
• Inscription (2011/12) for four voices and string quartet
  Weeks, J. (2017). Inscription (2011/12) for four voices and string quartet
• Bee Haven (2017) for large group of strings
  Weeks, J. (2017). Bee Haven (2017) for large group of strings
• Meadow (2016) for a large number of performers, singing or/and playing
  Weeks, J. (2017). Meadow (2016) for a large number of performers, singing or/and playing
• Ave maris stella (2003/17) for mixed or upper voices, violin and organ
  Weeks, J. (2017). Ave maris stella (2003/17) for mixed or upper voices, violin and organ
• Joy (2016) for 2 violins and percussion
  Weeks, J. (2016). Joy (2016) for 2 violins and percussion
• ærc (2016) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 12)
  Weeks, J. (2016). ærc (2016) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 12)
• common ground (2013-14) for string trio
  Weeks, J. (2016). common ground (2013-14) for string trio
• Signs of Occupation (2014) for clarinet and speaking voice
  Weeks, J. (2016). Signs of Occupation (2014) for clarinet and speaking voice
• Cornish String Music (2015) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 16)
  Weeks, J. (2015). Cornish String Music (2015) for any number of orchestral string instruments (at least 16)
• Walled Garden (2015) for 2 alto flutes, bass flute, string trio
  Weeks, J. (2015). Walled Garden (2015) for 2 alto flutes, bass flute, string trio
• New Day (2006) for solo piano and ensemble
  Weeks, J. (2014). New Day (2006) for solo piano and ensemble
• Radical Road (2014) for 30 or more singers with stones
  Weeks, J. (2014). Radical Road (2014) for 30 or more singers with stones
• Schilderkonst (2003-4) for ensemble
  Weeks, J. (2014). Schilderkonst (2003-4) for ensemble
• Matsushima (2005) for 1-4 pianos
  Weeks, J. (2014). Matsushima (2005) for 1-4 pianos
• Olympic Frieze (2014) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 12)
  Weeks, J. (2014). Olympic Frieze (2014) for any number of pitched instruments (at least 12)
• The Catford Harmony (2008/14) for oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, cello, piano
  Weeks, J. (2014). The Catford Harmony (2008/14) for oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, cello, piano
• Looping Busker Music (2013) for violin, clarinet, accordion, guitar and tape
  Weeks, J. (2014). Looping Busker Music (2013) for violin, clarinet, accordion, guitar and tape
• A tear (2014) for mixed-voice choir and organ
  Weeks, J. (2014). A tear (2014) for mixed-voice choir and organ
• Digger (2010) for solo guitar
  Weeks, J. (2014). Digger (2010) for solo guitar
• mural (2012-13) for one or more vocal quartets
  Weeks, J. (2014). mural (2012-13) for one or more vocal quartets
• Softest Numbers (2014) - for violin and piano
  Weeks, J. (2014). Softest Numbers (2014) - for violin and piano
• Two Perscriptions (2002-4) for solo piano
  Weeks, J. (2014). Two Perscriptions (2002-4) for solo piano
• The Nunhead Harmony (2009) for clarinet, violin, viola, double bass
  Weeks, J. (2014). The Nunhead Harmony (2009) for clarinet, violin, viola, double bass
• Sacred Muses (2005)
  Weeks, J. (2014). Sacred Muses (2005)
• Come Away (2008) for soprano, violin, cello, piano
  Weeks, J. (2014). Come Away (2008) for soprano, violin, cello, piano
• The World in tune (2013) for solo soprano
  Weeks, J. (2013). The World in tune (2013) for solo soprano
• Freehand Etude (2012) for three performers
  Weeks, J. (2013). Freehand Etude (2012) for three performers
• Narrow Path (2012) for solo flute
  Weeks, J. (2013). Narrow Path (2012) for solo flute
• Sky (2010) for clarinet and electronics
  Weeks, J. (2013). Sky (2010) for clarinet and electronics
• Three Trios (2010-11) for piano trio and tape
  Weeks, J. (2013). Three Trios (2010-11) for piano trio and tape
• Orlando Tenebrae (2010) for SATB choir
  Weeks, J. (2013). Orlando Tenebrae (2010) for SATB choir
• The Freedom of the Earth (2011) for chorus and ensemble
  Weeks, J. (2012). The Freedom of the Earth (2011) for chorus and ensemble
• Nakedness (2012) for solo soprano
  Weeks, J. (2012). Nakedness (2012) for solo soprano
• Complainte (2007) for solo soprano
  Weeks, J. (2012). Complainte (2007) for solo soprano
• Tide (2007) for solo cello with BACH bow
  Weeks, J. (2012). Tide (2007) for solo cello with BACH bow
• Glossa (2010) for ATB choir
  Weeks, J. (2012). Glossa (2010) for ATB choir
• Mala punica (2008-9) for 8 solo voices
  Weeks, J. (2012). Mala punica (2008-9) for 8 solo voices
• Burnham Air (2008-9) for oboe d'amore
  Weeks, J. (2012). Burnham Air (2008-9) for oboe d'amore
• Honey Celebration (2005) for piano trio
  Weeks, J. (2012). Honey Celebration (2005) for piano trio

Edited book

• partsongs
  Weeks, J. (Ed.). (2018). partsongs. CoMA

Journal Article

• Along the Grain: the music of Cassandra Miller
  Weeks, J. (2014). Along the Grain: the music of Cassandra Miller. Tempo, 68(269), 50-64. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0040298214000060
• More heat, more light: Christopher Fox in conversation
  Weeks, J. (2006). More heat, more light: Christopher Fox in conversation. Tempo, 60(236), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0040298206000106

Other (Digital/Visual Media)

• Christopher Fox: Trostlieder
  Weeks, J., Fox, C., & EXAUDI. (2023). Christopher Fox: Trostlieder. [CD]
• Book of Flames and Shadows
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2022). Book of Flames and Shadows. [CD]
• James Weeks: Summer
  Weeks, J., & Explore Ensemble. (2021). James Weeks: Summer. [CD]
• Michael Finnissy: Vocal Works 1974-2015
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2018). Michael Finnissy: Vocal Works 1974-2015
• Brian Ferneyhough: La terre est un homme and other works
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, recherche, E., Symphony Orchestra, B., & Brabbins, M. (2018). Brian Ferneyhough: La terre est un homme and other works
• James Weeks: Mala punica
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & Ensemble, H. (2017). James Weeks: Mala punica
• Laurence Crane: Pieces About Art
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2017). Laurence Crane: Pieces About Art
• James Weeks: Signs of Occupation
  Weeks, J., & Ensemble, P.-M. (2016). James Weeks: Signs of Occupation
• James Weeks: mural
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2016). James Weeks: mural
• Passion Texts: vocal music by Rihm and Nono
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2014). Passion Texts: vocal music by Rihm and Nono
• EXPOSURE: works by Cassidy, Harrison, Glover, Bailie, Weeks, Chase, Molitor
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2013). EXPOSURE: works by Cassidy, Harrison, Glover, Bailie, Weeks, Chase, Molitor
• Stefano Gervasoni: Dir - In Dir
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & Donné, L. (2013). Stefano Gervasoni: Dir - In Dir
• James Weeks: TIDE
  Weeks, J., & House, A. (2013). James Weeks: TIDE
• Aaron Cassidy: A Painter of Figures in Rooms
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2012). Aaron Cassidy: A Painter of Figures in Rooms
• Howard Skempton: Bolt from the Blue
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & Becker, D. (2010). Howard Skempton: Bolt from the Blue
• Christopher Fox: Catalogue Irraisoné
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2009). Christopher Fox: Catalogue Irraisoné
• Howard Skempton: Ben Somewhen
  Weeks, J., EXAUDI, & BCMG. (2007). Howard Skempton: Ben Somewhen
• Elizabeth Lutyens: Choral and chamber works
  Weeks, J. (2006). Elizabeth Lutyens: Choral and chamber works
• Michael Finnissy: Maldon and other choral works
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2005). Michael Finnissy: Maldon and other choral works
• Christopher Fox: A Glimpse of Sion's Glory
  Weeks, J., & EXAUDI. (2005). Christopher Fox: A Glimpse of Sion's Glory