James Layton
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selected works

  • orchestral and ensemble
  • staged works
  • chamber (2-5 players)
  • solo
  • electronic
  • other
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vertical seconds
for orchestra
2022-  
[In Progress] 
​c.12 minutes

honour thy error as a hidden intention
for 6 instruments 
2020-  
[In Progress] 
​c.12 minutes

fl, cl, vln, vla, vc, pno


focal
for orchestra
​2019
​c.9 minutes

commissoned by Trinity Laban Shapeshifter Orchestra

2.2.2.2, 2.2.1.0, timp, perc, strings 

​score and parts
performances: ​
8 february 2019, blackheath halls, london, uk 
Trinity Laban Shapeshifter Orchestra
conducted by Kwamé Ryan
​
25 august 2019, triple karolina hall, ostrava, cz.
Ostrava New Orchestra
conducted by Petr Kotík
James Layton · Focal (for orchestra) [2019]

ripple
for ensemble
2018
fl,a.fl,hn,cl,b.cl,vln1,vln2,vla,vc,db,pno
c. 11 minutes

​score and parts
performances: ​
27 november 2018, old royal naval college chapel, greenwich, uk.
​conducted by KC Cheng

James Layton · Ripple [2018]

tectonics
for orchestra
2018
c.6 minutes
2.2.2.2, 2.2.1(b.tbn).0, timp, perc, hp, strings

score and parts
James Layton · Tectonics (for orchestra) [2018]
saudade
chamber opera in seven stills
for soprano, baritone, dancer and orchestra
​2021-22
​c.25 minutes
Commissioned by Petr Kotik for NODO 2020

Libretto by Jack Burnham


​score available upon request
performances: ​
28 june 2022, NODO festival 2022, antonin dvorak theatre, ostrava, czech republic
Ostravská banda, soprano: Markéta Schaffartzik, baritone: Vojtěch Šembera, dancer:
Patryk Zamojski, conducted by Bruno Ferrandis 
director: Marek David, stage design: Adéla Szturcová, light design: Filip Horn
James Layton · saudade (chamber opera in seven stills) [2021-22] [extract]
straight lines and not-straight lines
for clarinet, cello and accordion 
2022 [In Progress] ​
​c. 32 minutes
written for Madara Mežale, Elizabeth Hall-Keough and Noël Rubli​


​i love the whole world
for string quartet
2021 
​c. 5 minutes

score available upon request

i needed colour 
for alto flute and violin
2020
c. 9 minutes
​Commissioned by Fira Duo


score
performances: ​
29 october 2020, Front Room Concerts [online concert]. by Fira Duo
13 october 2022, levinsalen, norges musikkhøgskole, oslo, no, by Anja Sandvoll and Mathias Liodden​
James Layton · i needed colour (for a.flute and violin) [2020]

insekten
for violin, vibraphone and piano
2020
c. 1 minute
Written for Kompass Ensemble


score
performances:
november 2021, freiberg, de. by Kompass Ensemble
James Layton · insekten (for violin, vibraphone and piano) [2020]

music for pubs
open score
2018
c. 10 minutes


score available upon request
performances:
18 june 2018, The Ivy House, Nunhead
James Layton · music for pubs [2018]

afar fen
for brass quintet
2016 
c. 3 minutes

​score and parts
performances: ​
24 may 2019, st alfege church, greenwich, uk. by MESHD Brass
so many many many of my fellow creatures
for solo baritone
2022-  [In Progress] ​
c. 8 minutes
​Written for Vojtěch Šembera

after calder
for solo guitar
2022
c. 8 minutes
Written for Ondrej Vesel
ý

score available upon request 

the end is in the beginning and yet you go on
for piano solo
2020- [In Progress] 
c. 20 minutes

i needed colour 
version for piano solo
2020
c. 9 minutes


score available upon request

wandering
for viola solo
2018 
c. 6 minutes


score​
​performances: ​
10 feb 2020, university college hospital, london, uk. by Stephen Upshaw
18 feb 2020, edouard malingue gallery, london, uk. by Stephen Upshaw
​18 apr 2020, Themselves Online Concert. by James Layton
6 may 2020, Solem Quartet Online Concert. by Stephen Upshaw
june-october 2020, The Place, Aora Online Gallery , recording by Stephen Upshaw

13 october 2022, levinsalen, norges musikkhøgskole, oslo, no, by Laura Madaliso Beer Kumwenda

recordings: ​
Into the Ocean: The Viola [2020] recorded by Stephen Upshaw

​slowly getting nowhere
for piano solo
2018
c. 16 minutes


score
performances:
13 october 2022, levinsalen, norges musikkhøgskole, oslo, no, by Revaz Abramia
James Layton · Slowly Getting Nowhere (for solo piano) [2018]

breathless
for amplified viola and tape
2017
 c. 5 minutes
Commissioned by Stephen Upshaw


score
performances: ​
8 june 2017, st alfege church, greenwich, uk. by Stephen Upshaw
James Layton · Breathless (for solo viola and electronics) [2017]
are we on other, less concrete shores?
2022
​bowed electric guitar, bowed acoustic guitar and field recordings
c. 10 minutes
all parts performed, recorded and mixed by James Layton
mastered by Sean Kiley

appears on Meditation Objects, Supplement, and Sequences (MOSS) Vol.2 [RGMS-012]

​these memories are not my own, they’re borrowed from my past
2021
​piano and electric guitar
c. 32 minutes
all parts performed and recorded by James Layton
mixed and mastered by Sean Kiley


​Released by RGMS - these memories are not my own, they’re borrowed from my past [RGMS-008]​
live performances: ​
20 october 2022, levinsalen, norges musikkhøgskole, oslo, no, by James Layton and Ferdinand Schwarz

jean, you forgot to pay the electric bill!
2020
ebowed zither, lap steel guitar, acoustic guitar and cassette tapes
c. 12 minutes
all parts performed, recorded and mixed by James Layton
mastered by Sean Kiley

appears on Meditation Objects, Supplement, and Sequences (MOSS) Vol.1 [RGMS-004]
i love the whole world
open score
2019
c. 10 minutes 


score
​performances: ​
19 january 2023, levinsalen, nmh, oslo, no. by Elias Schomers, Noel Rubli, Ferdinand Schwarz and James Layton
      - version for pino, cello, accordion, trumpet, melodica, pitch-pipe and voices
James Layton · i love the whole world [2019]
© 2019-23 JAMES LAYTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORKS
  • EVENTS
  • discography​
  • LOOK
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  • +
    • INTO THE OCEAN
    • RGMS
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