Andrew Hamilton
Composer recipient 2024
Dublin-born composer Andrew Hamilton (b. 1977) has enjoyed artistic success across decades and continents, with his work being performed at numerous festivals, and by many ensembles including members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, EXAUDI, Crash Ensemble, Manchester Collective and Chamber Choir Ireland. Highly regarded in the contemporary classical scene, his work is especially known for its playfulness, using repetition to create a state of unease, ambiguity and joy.
“Receiving the Award at a mid-career point is enormously uplifting as it has given me a sign that I, just might (!), have been on the right track the past twenty five or so years and a sense of confidence and support to keep going. The award will allow me the space to work on uncommissioned projects and time to learn new skills, hopefully leading to new discoveries in my work.”
With a minimalist/reductionist sensibility, his practice was formed by a deep love of visual arts, choreography and literature. His process involves taking small fragments of musical material and observing them from every angle, as though looking at a 3D model.
He has written and worked with some outstanding soloists and duos including Michelle O’Rourke, Rakhi Singh, Oliver Coates, Juliet Fraser/Maxime Echardour, Eliza McCarthy and Isabelle O’Connell. He has also collaborated with artists in other artforms such as the choreographer/theater maker Emma Martin and United Fall in Dancehall for the Dublin Theatre Festival.
Of growing importance in his practice is performing his own work, heard in his solo album JOY released by Ergodos records in 2020. Hamilton was composer in residence with Crash Ensemble (2020–23) during which he wrote and performed Friendly Piece (2024) with the ensemble, a live recording of which was released in September 2024. A portrait album of his work, music for people, was released by NMC in 2018.
Since 2013, Hamilton has been a visiting tutor and, from 2019, a part-time lecturer at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Examples of work
FRIENDLY PIECE (Extract), 2023
Commissioned by Crash Ensemble with Andrew Hamilton to perform with the ensemble of flute, clarinet in B flat, trombone, one percussionist, electric guitar, piano, singer/violinist (Hamilton), violin, viola, cello and double bass. Conducted by Ryan McAdams. Visual design (staging and lighting design) by Emma Martin. Premiered (2023) at New Music Dublin, The Studio, National Concert Hall, Dublin and second and third performances (2023) at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny as part of Kilkenny Arts Festival. Full work (56 minutes duration).
ERTH UPON ERTH, 2020
Commissioned by Irish National Opera for “20 shots of Opera” scheme. Text from the 15th century wall paintings in The Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon- Avon. For Soprano and ensemble: flute, clarinet in E flat, horn, trumpet in B flat, trombone, one percussionist, electric organ, violin, viola, cello, double bass. Soprano: Sinéad Campbell Wallace. Conductor: Fergus Sheil. Directed for film by Jo Mangan. This work was made during the pandemic and it reflects on the personal experience of being in a Covid Hot Zone in a Birmingham hospital at the beginning of the pandemic. Complete work 6 minutes 3 seconds.
G= PIANO QUARTET (FOR AGNES MARTIN), 2019
Commissioned by Tanglewood Music Centre, USA for the Tanglewood Festival (2019). Performed by the Tanglewood Fellows Piano Quartet at Tanglewood Festival (2019). The work is a response to the idea of the grid in the work of painter Agnes Martin (an artist who has had a massive impact on Hamilton’s work): the idea of an interrupted line, smudged lines, focusing on tiny details, echoes and French Baroque ornamentation! Complete work 14 minutes 50 seconds.
PROCLAMATION OF THE REPUBLIC, 2016
Commissioned by EXAUDI with funds provided by the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. First performance: LSO St Lukes, London (2016) conducted by James Weeks. A setting of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic recited in Dublin during the Easter Rising, written on the 100th anniversary of the event. This work is planned to be recorded by EXAUDI in 2025 for release on the NMC label. Complete work 15 minutes 53 seconds.
