Short bio Judith Weir
Full biography Judith Weir
Judith Weir is a prominent composer born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1954. She is one of the most widely performed British composers of her generation and has written for a variety of ensembles ranging from solo performers to large orchestras.
Weir studied at Cambridge University and in 1977 became an associate of the Royal College of Music. She began her career as a freelance composer and has since written numerous works including operas, orchestral works, choral music, and chamber music.
Weir has received many accolades and awards throughout her career, including an honorary degree from the University of Bristol, the Order of the Companions of Honour, and the Queen's Medal for Music.
In addition to her composing work, Weir has also held various teaching positions, including a post as composer-in-residence at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. She has also served as the artistic director of the Spitalfields Festival in London.
Weir's music is known for its eclectic blend of musical influences, combining traditional Western classical music with folk and world music elements. Her opera, "A Night at the Chinese Opera," is recognized as one of the most important opera works of the 20th century.
Overall, Judith Weir is a talented and prolific composer whose work has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music.
Compositions featuring Judith Weir
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brighter Visions Shine Afar, overture for orchestra | 2:53 min | Orchestral | 2023 |
| 2 | O Mercy Divine, for chorus & cello | 3:57 min | Choral | 2018 |
| 3 | The True Light, for chorus & organ | 6:30 min | Choral | 2018 |
| 4 | Fragile, for piano | 3:12 min | Keyboard | 2017 |
| 5 | Holy Innocents, for chorus & organ | 4:21 min | Choral | 2016 |
| 6 | His Mercy Endureth for Ever, for chorus & organ | 3:56 min | Choral | 2015 |
| 7 | Truly I Tell You, for chorus & organ | 6:06 min | Choral | 2014 |
| 8 | The Song Sung True, for chorus | 8:35 min | Choral | 2013 |
| 9 | Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, for chorus | 6:48 min | Choral | 2011 |
| 10 | Vertue, for chorus | 5:14 min | Choral | 2005 |
| 11 | The Voice of Desire, for voice & piano | 11:38 min | Vocal Music | 2003 |
| 12 | The Welcome Arrival of Rain, for orchestra | 17:21 min | Orchestral | 2001 |
| 13 | Piano Quartet | 18:03 min | Chamber Music | 2000 |
| 14 | Arise, arise! you slumbering sleepers, for piano quartet | 2:38 min | Chamber Music | 1999 |
| 15 | Natural History, for soprano & orchestra | 18:00 min | Vocal Music | 1998 |
| 16 | Ständchen, for voice & piano | 3:15 min | Vocal Music | 1997 |
| 17 | Piano Trio | 16:15 min | Chamber Music | 1997 |
| 18 | Storm, for youth chorus & ensemble | 17:41 min | Choral | 1997 |
| 19 | Piano Concerto | 16:22 min | Concerto | 1997 |
| 20 | Two Human Hymns, for chorus & organ | 7:52 min | Choral | 1995 |
| 21 | Moon and Star, for orchestra & voices | 14:18 min | Choral | 1995 |
| 22 | Forest, for orchestra | 11:45 min | Orchestral | 1995 |
| 23 | Love Bade Me Welcome, for chorus | 3:38 min | Choral | 1994 |
| 24 | Musicians Wrestle Everywhere, concerto for 10 instruments | 12:31 min | Chamber Music | 1994 |
| 25 | El rey de Francia, for violin, viola, cello, double bass & piano | 1:38 min | Chamber Music | 1993 |
| 26 | Blond Eckbert, opera | 65:13 min | Opera | 1993 |
| 27 | The King of France, for piano | 7:37 min | Keyboard | 1993 |
| 28 | Heroic Strokes of the Bow, for small orchestra | 14:24 min | Orchestral | 1992 |
| 29 | I Broke Off a Golden Branch, for violin, viola, cello, double bass & piano | 14:47 min | Chamber Music | 1991 |
| 30 | On buying a horse, for voice & piano | 2:26 min | Vocal Music | 1991 |
| 31 | Don't Let that Horse, for soprano (vocal) & horn | 1:36 min | Vocal Music | 1990 |
| 32 | String Quartet | 13:21 min | Chamber Music | 1990 |
| 33 | Ox Mountain was Covered by Trees, for 3 voices & orchestra | 5:15 min | Vocal Music | 1990 |
| 34 | Ardnamurchan Point, for 2 pianos | 8:29 min | Keyboard | 1990 |
| 35 | Distance and Enchantment, for piano quartet | 8:39 min | Chamber Music | 1989 |
| 36 | Missa del Cid | 19:18 min | Choral | 1988 |
| 37 | A Spanish Liederbooklet, for voice & piano | 8:50 min | Vocal Music | 1988 |
| 38 | Mountain Airs, for flute, clarinet & oboe | 3:42 min | Chamber Music | 1988 |
| 39 | Variations on Sumer is icumen in: Variation 3 | 2:14 min | Orchestral | 1987 |
| 40 | A Night at the Chinese Opera, opera | 92:57 min | Opera | 1987 |
| 41 | Airs From Another Planet | 10:46 min | Chamber Music | 1986 |
| 42 | Scotch Minstrelsy, 5 songs for voice & piano | 12:37 min | Vocal Music | 1986 |
| 43 | The Consolations of Scholarship, for soprano & 9 players | 13:09 min | Vocal Music | 1985 |
| 44 | Michael's Strathspey | 1:14 min | Chamber Music | 1985 |
| 45 | The Bagpiper's String Trio | 6:50 min | Chamber Music | 1985 |
| 46 | Illuminare, Jerusalem, carol | 2:25 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | 1985 |
| 47 | Sketches from a Bagpiper's Album, for soprano sax & piano | 7:47 min | Chamber Music | 1984 |
| 48 | Advent Prose, for chorus | 1:42 min | Choral | 1983 |
| 49 | The Art of Touching the Keyboard, for piano | 9:53 min | Keyboard | 1983 |
| 50 | Ascending into Heaven, for chorus & organ | 7:47 min | Choral | 1983 |
| 51 | Wild Mossy Mountains, for organ | 5:11 min | Keyboard | 1982 |
| 52 | Thread!, for narrator & octet | 17:02 min | Orchestral | 1981 |
| 53 | Music for 247 Strings, for violin & piano | 9:10 min | Chamber Music | 1981 |
| 54 | An mein Klavier | 8:13 min | Keyboard | 1980 |
| 55 | Several Concertos, for piccolo/flute, cello & piano | 14:51 min | Chamber Music | 1980 |
| 56 | King Harald's Saga, opera for unaccompanied soprano | 13:40 min | Opera | 1979 |
| 57 | Three Swans, for 2 sopranos & chorus | 6:33 min | Choral | - |
| 58 | All the Ends of the Earth, carol for chorus | 8:56 min | Choral | - |
| 59 | The Vanishing Bridegroom, opera | 82:48 min | Opera | - |
| 60 | Atlantic Drift, for 2 violins | 9:26 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 61 | Ave Regina caelorum, for chorus & organ | 3:38 min | Choral | - |
| 62 | A Blue True Dream of Sky, for chorus | 3:49 min | Choral | - |
| 63 | Chorale for Steve, for piano | 2:31 min | Keyboard | - |
| 64 | The Romance of Count Arnaldos, for soprano, 2 clarinets, viola, cello & double bass | 2:51 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 65 | Blackbirds and Thrushes, for voice & piano | 2:48 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 66 | Bright Cecilia: Variations on a Theme by Purcell | Orchestral | - | |
| 67 | Drop Down, Ye Heavens, from Above, for chorus | 2:15 min | Choral | - |
| 68 | Songs from the Exotic, for soprano & piano | 9:56 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 69 | Sanctus, for soloists, chorus & orchestra (from Requiem of Reconciliation, collective composition) | 6:37 min | Choral | - |
| 70 | Roll Off the Ragged Rocks of Sin, transcription for piano (after Bach, BWV 132) | 3:52 min | Keyboard | - |
| 71 | Psalm 148, for chorus | 5:50 min | Choral | - |
| 72 | Piano Trio No. 2 | 14:47 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 73 | Ettrick Banks, for organ | 4:42 min | Keyboard | - |
| 74 | Leaf from Leaf Christ Knows, for chorus & organ | 3:56 min | Choral | - |
| 75 | Little Tree, for chorus | 6:26 min | Choral | - |
| 76 | Madrigal, for chorus | 2:28 min | Choral | - |
| 77 | My Guardian Angel, for chorus | 2:16 min | Choral | - |
Albums featuring Judith Weir
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Hebrides Ensemble, Ailish Tynan, Judith Weir – Airs From Another Planet(CD, Album) | 2019 | Delphian |
| 2 |  |
Marsyas Trio, Thea Musgrave, Judith Weir, Georgia Rodgers, Hilary Tann, Laura Bowler, Amy Beach – In The Theatre Of Air(CD, Album) | 2018 | NMC (3) |
| 3 |  |
Judith Weir - BBC Singers, Choristers Of Temple Church, Endymion, David Hill – Storm(CD, Album) | 2015 | Signum Classics |
| 4 |  |
The Vanishing Bridegroom(2×CD, Album) | 2014 | NMC (3) |
| 5 |  |
Judith Weir, The Choir Of Gonville & Caius College, Geoffrey Webber – Choral Music(CD, Album) | 2011 | Delphian |
| 6 |  |
Fidelio Trio, Beamish, Weir, Osborne – The Piano Tuner(CD, ) | 2010 | Delphian |
| 7 |  |
Kreutzer Quartet, John Casken, Judith Weir, Robert Saxton – Northern Lights(CD, Album) | 2009 | Metier |
| 8 |  |
The Welcome Arrival Of Rain(CD, Album) | 2008 | NMC (3) |
| 9 |  |
Judith Weir - Susan Bickley, Andrew Kennedy, Ailish Tynan, Iain Burnside – On Buying A Horse (The Songs Of Judith Weir)(CD, Album) | 2006 | Signum Classics |
| 10 |  |
Michael Finnissy Plays Weir, Finnissy, Newman And Skempton – Michael Finnissy(CD, Repress) | 2005 | NMC (3) |
| 11 |  |
Judith Weir, Janice Felty, Xak Bjerken, Judith Kellock, Ensemble X (5) – The Consolations Of Scholarship(CD, ) | 2005 | Albany Records |
| 12 |  |
Judith Weir - William Howard (2), The Schubert Ensemble, Susan Tomes, Petra Casén, Domus – Piano Concerto, Distance And Enchantment & Other Works(2×CD, Compilation) | 2004 | NMC (3) |
| 13 |  |
Judith Weir - Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Andrew Parrott – A Night At The Chinese Opera(2×CD, Album) | 1999 | NMC (3) |
| 14 |  |
Judith Weir, Chorus, Orchestra Of English National Opera, Jones • Owens • Ventris • Folwell, Siân Edwards – Blond Eckbert | 1995 | Collins Classics |
| 15 |  |
Distance & Enchantment - Chamber Works By Judith Weir(CD, Album) | 1995 | Collins Classics |
| 16 |  |
Leighton, Weir & Henze – Earth, Sweet Earth(CD, Album) | 1989 | Abacus (5) |
| 17 |  |
Three Operas | 1989 | Novello Records |
Videos featuring Judith Weir
Missa del Cid: I. Kyrie
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
Missa del Cid: I. Kyrie · Nick Herrett · David Mason · Combattimento
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Nick Herrett
Conductor: David Mason
Choir: Comba
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act I: Imperious Gestures - The General's Aria
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act I: Imperious Gestures - The General's Aria · Linda Hirst · Odaline de la Martinez · Lontano
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-1
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act I: Song of the Hermit - Under Turtle Mountain
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act I: Song of the Hermit - Under Turtle Mountain · Linda Hirst · Odaline de la Martinez · Lontano
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-0
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Act I: Harald - Fanfare - Tostig
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Act I: Harald - Fanfare - Tostig · Jane Manning
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Jane Mannin
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Act II: St Olaf - Harald - Harald's...
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Act II: St Olaf - Harald - Harald's Wives · Jane Manning
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Ja
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Epilogue: Icelandic Sage
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Epilogue: Icelandic Sage · Jane Manning
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Jane Manning
Compos
Missa del Cid: VI. Agnus Dei
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
Missa del Cid: VI. Agnus Dei · Nick Herrett · David Mason · Combattimento
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Nick Herrett
Conductor: David Mason
Choir:
A Night at the Chinese Opera (excerpts), BYO 2012
From British Youth Opera's production of Judith Weir's A Night at the Chinese Opera, September 2012, featuring Louise Kemeny (Little Moon), Jamie Rock (Chao Sun), Helen Bruce (Mrs Chin), Thomas Elwin (Old P'eng), Johnny Herford (Chao Lin), Jean-Baptiste M
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act I: Lamento - Interlude
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act I: Lamento - Interlude · Linda Hirst · Odaline de la Martinez · Lontano
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Linda Hi
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act II: A Shining Immortal
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act II: A Shining Immortal · Linda Hirst · Odaline de la Martinez · Lontano
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Linda Hi
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Act III: The Norwegian Army -...
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
King Harald's Saga, Grand Opera in 3 Acts for Solo Soprano, Act III: The Norwegian Army - Messenger - Soldier · Jane Manning
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Sol
Missa del Cid: V. Benedictus
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
Missa del Cid: V. Benedictus · Nick Herrett · David Mason · Combattimento
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2021-06-18
Soloist: Nick Herrett
Conductor: David Mason
Choir:
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act II: The Chase to the Palace - The Emperor's Decree
Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One U.S., LP
The Consolations of Scholarship, Act II: The Chase to the Palace - The Emperor's Decree · Linda Hirst · Odaline de la Martinez · Lontano
Judith Weir: Three Operas
℗ Musical Concepts
Released on: 2
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