Untitled Playlist

i love the whole world - written by James Layton
Copyright 2019

Elias Schomers (Cello, Voice, Pitch-pipe)
Noel Rubli (Accordion, Voice)
Ferdinand Schwarz (Trumpet, Voice, Melodica)
James Layton (Piano)

performed on 19 January 2023 at Levinsalen, Norges Musikkhøgskole, Oslo, Norway

track edited by Ferdinand Schwarz

Art: Agnes Martin - I Love the Whole World (1999)

i love the whole world [2019]

Saudade - written by James Layton
with text by Jack Burnham
Copyright 2022

Markéta Schaffartzik (Soprano)
Vojtěch Šembera (Baritone)
Ostravská banda
Bruno Ferrandis(Conductor)

performed at Antonín Dvořák Theater, Ostrava, Czech Republic
as part of NODO 2022 / New Opera Days Ostrava

'Found at the intersection between desire and expression, two halves, separated by death, now wind through the years enacting a spectral dance. There is a reckoning with the inexorable persistence of memory, and the inability to break a compulsive and damning cycle of inarticulacy. The natural flow of yearning proves vulnerable to disruption. The years have made language thin and brittle. So we scratch our story onto the surface of ice, at the point of departure. A future is possible, but may not be permissible. A negotiation of sorts occurs, one that anxiously balances on the tip of the needle deep within the heart of all crystalline winter dreams.'

Art: Andrew Wyeth - Christina’s World

saudade (chamber opera in seven stills) [2021-22] [extract2]

vertical seconds (for orchestra)
composed by James Layton (2023)
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Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
Torodd Wigum (Conductor)

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artwork: Ben Nicholson - Feb 28-53 (vertical seconds)

vertical seconds (for orchestra) [2023]

emerging forms (for large open ensemble)
composed by James Layton (2023)
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Alexander Sandved (viola)
Andreas Morgan Grimstad (viola)
Ane Elise Lassen (double bass)
Eivind Holmboe Leifsen (saxophone)
Elvira Göransson (cello)
Erlend Olderskog Albertsen (double bass)
Ferdinand Schwarz (trumpet)
James Layton (viola)
Laura Madaliso Beer Kumwenda (viola)
Marco Slaviero (guitar)
Maren Sofie Nyland Johansen (accordion)
Michał Hałoń (cello)
Mitra Fagerli Rahman (viola)
Noel Rubli (accordion)
Sophie Kauer (cello)
Tomas Laukvik Nannestad (guitar)


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artwork: László Moholy-Nagy - Photogram (1928-9)

emerging forms (for large open ensemble) [2023] [extract]

James Layton is a British composer, musician, and visual artist currently based in Oslo, Norway. His work often explores non-climactic forms, which slowly unfold and focus on the juxtaposition of progression and stasis. His use of patterns, permutations, and repetition aims to draw listeners into the music while exploring ideas of time and memory. This work is often informed by his interest in visual art, particularly the works of Agnes Martin, Sol Lewitt, and Bridget Riley.

James’ compositional output includes works for opera (saudade 2022), orchestra (focal 2019), chamber music (honour thy error as a hidden intention 2023), choir (veering slowly, losing identity 2023), as well as electro-acoustic music (are we on other, less concrete shores? 2021), and collaborations with dance (Rock-A-Bye 2023) and visual media (time spent 2023). This work has been performed around Europe by musicians and ensembles such as Cikada (NO), Orkest de Ereprijs (NE), I Solisti (BE), Ensemble Spectrum (SK), Stephen Upshaw (US/UK), Standard Issue (UK) Ensemble Ernst (NO), Ostravská Banda (CZ) and ONO – Ostrava New Orchestra (CZ), including at festivals such as Bergen Festspillene (2024), Bijloke Wonderland (2023), NODO/New Opera Days Ostrava (2022) and Ostrava New Music Days (2019).