So far, this work has a strong sense of direction guided by its urgency and momentum within this unique and fascinating sound world you've created.

A very powerful and cohesive work.  Full of so many textures and different colors that can paint beauty but is so often filled with great drama and excitement.  Fantastic music Paul.

Awesome beauty - wonderful realization too - many thanks Paul Max!

Symphony 2 - version for 2 pianos

An attempt to create the soundscape of Silbury Hill at Avebury

Avebury3-TWU

A new piece for String Orchestra.  Thank you for listening and hope you enjoy.

For String Orchestra

Hope you enjoy this piano piece recorded on a Bosendorfer.

Now I Know

Saint Mark Passion - part 4, complete

Misericordia

Ensemble InterContemporain
Nicolò Umberto Foron, conductor

Premiere (live recording)
Friday 10th November 2023

60° Festival Nuova Consonanza 
Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone

© Ph: Cantarelli Marta
© Archivio Nuova Consonanza

Seeds of Light

Live recording Teatro Grande di Brescia - Three songs on the persian poetry by Rūmī - Giulia Peri, soprano - Lamberto Curtoni, Cello

Three Persian Lyrics

Orchestra Sinfonica Abruzzese
Marco Moresco, conductor

Dark Clouds, for orchestra

Sheet music: https://ump.co.uk/catalogue/max-noah-the-candle-lagoon/
www.noahmax.net
It is told that if you approach the Lagoon at sunset, light a small candle and whisper your darkest secret to the waters, the waters will respond by summoning forth from the depths of the Lagoon a vision of your future, laid bare in the evening light. The Tale of the Candle Lagoon tells of a child — you, me, humanity entire — who does just this, but sees in the surface of the Lagoon only a reflection of themselves, of the burning clouds and the setting sun, a ball of fire nestled under the water. As twilight turns to night and the world turns cold, the child wonders which is more terrifying: has History been falsified, or are they and the whole Universe destined to burn?

Recorded live at the world premiere performance at St. Giles' Cripplegate on 26th November, 2018 Echo Ensemble: Winter Sun
Conducted by the composer

The Candle Lagoon, Op.8 (World Premiere) | Noah Max, 2018

A Pilgrim of Angkor 
(1997, rev 2020) for large orchestra

4 (picc./fl./alto fl./bass fl).3 (ob./ob d'am./cor-ang).3 (picc Eb./Cl in A/Bass cl).3 (bsn./2 contra bsn).sop.sax – 4. 3. bass tpt. euph. 2.- 1  hp, pno, 9 perc. – 16.14.12.10.8

Composer’s Note:
The great temple complex of Angkor was reputedly discovered by the French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860.  The temples hadn’t been fully abandoned, but they were in serious neglect.  Angkor Wat was still home to a group of monks while other temples had been taken over by the encroaching forest.  Why the Khmers gradually left Angkor, once the greatest capital on earth, remains a matter of conjecture.  What is certain is the extraordinary impact it makes today, created by a mix of dimension, intricate detail, symbolic plans, and an environment that mixes man and nature.  

No piece of music can recreate a complex work of architecture, because one is three dimensional and another isn’t!  But the simplicity of fundamental design, combined with the most detailed and abundant imagery is how music is created.  As a result, this work uses ways to evoke, represent, symbolise and guide the listener into an other-worldly place where ritual and exoticism combine.  

The title is a direct translation of the name of Pierre Loti’s famous book about the city, Un Pèlerin d’Angkor (originally published in 1912).  But it is right, because I have been a pilgrim of Angkor for oh so many years, finally visiting the city in 2017, twenty years after this work was created.  © Paul Max Edlin 2020

This electronically created version is for study use only.

Music © Paul Max Edlin 1997

A Pilgrim Of Angkor (1997 rev 2020) - for large orchestra

Paul Max Edlin, 2016/2017 Composer in Residence for the London Chamber Orchestra, has a career that combines composing with higher education, artistic direction and performing.  

His works have been performed by many leading artists including Alison Balsom, Arditti Quartet, Britten Sinfonia, David Campbell, Cantus Ansambl, Dame Sarah Connolly, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Rolf Hind, Johannes Möller, London Chamber Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Olga Pasiecznik, Psappha, Silesian Quartet, Southbank Sinfonia and Gabriella Swallow.

He studied with Edwin Roxburgh, Richard Blackford and Joseph Horowitz (Royal College of Music) and Michael Finnissy (University of Sussex). He has won many prizes including Premio Internazionale Ancona, Harriet Cohen Memorial Award and United Music Publishers Prize. His music explores symbolism and often derives its inspiration from extra musical material. From the mid 80’s to mid 90’s many works were inspired by the art and architecture of South-East Asia, especially Indochina. From 2000 onward symbolism of a wider range of sources guided his music, from the chiastic structures of J.S. Bach to the writings of Gabriel García Márquez and Federico García Lorca and visual work of Frida Kahlo.

He is former Director of Music at Queen Mary University of London. He was Artistic Director of Deal Music & Arts (formerly Deal Festival) from 2004 to 2021, Sounds New (2007 to 2013), Director of International Composer Pyramid (2008-2023) and was Chair of the Board of of Trustees of Ora Singers. He is current Chair of China U.K. International Music Festival. He supports a range of charities and arts organisations through activities on their various boards and committees.  From 2012 to 2013 he was President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), the UK's leading association for professional musicians.

A Pilgrim Of Angkor (1997 rev 2020) - for large orchestra

Paul Max Edlin

Recent comments

Joseph Haspel

Joseph Haspel

Christopher Larkins | Composer

Christopher Larkins | Composer

Related tracks