James Layton

photo by Sam Walton

about

James Layton is a British composer, musician, and visual artist based in Oslo, Norway. His 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). He is interested by minimal and simple materials which slowly unfold in his music through the use of patterns, permutations, and repetition. This work is informed by his interest in visual art, in particular, artists such as Sol Lewitt and Agnes Martin.

This work has been performed around Europe by musicians and ensembles such as Oslo-filharmonien (NO), Rei Nakamura (DE), Cikada (NO), Orkest de Ereprijs (NE), I Solisti (BE), Ensemble Spectrum (SK), Stephen Upshaw (US/UK), Standard Issue (UK), EMO Ensemble (FI), Ensemble Ernst (NO), Ostravská Banda (CZ) and ONO – Ostrava New Orchestra (CZ), and has featured at festivals such as Ostrava Days New Music (2025/2019), Ung Nordisk Musikk (2025), INN:PUST (2025), Ultima Festivalen (2024), Music We’d Like to Hear (2024), Festspillene i Bergen (2024), Bijloke Wonderland (2023), and NODO/New Opera Days Ostrava (2022).

In 2020, James founded the Into the Ocean series, an integrated recording and concert series showcasing experimental new music, primarily by emerging composers. He was awarded the Trinity Laban Innovation Award in 2019, which supported the release of the debut album Into the Ocean: The Viola, in collaboration with violist Stephen Upshaw. The series also worked with experimental improvisation duo Kannukrox, releasing Daste Ma دست ما ; an improvised album with inspirational roots in Iranian Dastgāh.

He is also part of RGMS, a curated collective of artists focusing on experimental release, whose albums are all released under the name ‘RGMS’. Members produce a wide array of exploratory musics, ranging from lush soundscapes to near barren field recordings, and controlled chaos to meditative canopies. He has contributed pieces to both instalments of the collaborative meditation album project MOSS, as well as his own solo album, these memories are not my own, they’re borrowed from my past.

He studied at the Norwegian Academy of Music (MA) with Henrik Hellstenius, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (BMus) with Sam Hayden, Paul Newland, Stephen Montague, and Gwyn Pritchard.

work

In Progress

new work for KRÆKK! (2026)
for guitar, accordion, violoncello and electronics ▶

more info coming soon

new work for Marco Slaviero (2026)
for electric guitar, electronics and video ▶

more info coming soon

Completed

I AM STILL ALIVE, ON KAWARA (2025)
for three voices and orchestra
▶

first performance: 28.05.25 | Hannah Edmunds, Jonathan Bjørnseth, Einar Stefánsson, and Oslo Filharmonien, conducted by Patrik Ringborg | KHIO, Oslo (NO)
instrumentation: for three voices and orchestra
duration: ca. 9'
written for: Hannah Edmunds, Jonathan Bjørnseth, Einar Stefánsson, and Oslo Filharmonien

having never known the piano (2025)
for piano and electronics
▶

first performance: 31.03.25 | Rei Nakamura | Levinsalen, NMH, Oslo (NO)
instrumentation: piano and electronics
duration: ca. 10'
written for: Rei Nakamura

other performances: 21.08.25 | Jenn Mong | Ostrava Days 2025 (CZ)

in nomine (2024)
for solo theorbo
▶

first performance: 11.12.24 | Tomas Laukvik Nannestad | Scenehuset, Oslo (NO)
instrumentation: solo theorbo
duration: ca. 8'
written for: Tomas Laukvik Nannestad

other performances: 05.09.25 | Tomas Laukvik Nannestad | INN:PUST 2025, Gjøvik (NO)

James Layton · in nomine - for solo theorbo [2024]

weav (2024)
for bass flute, bass clarinet and piano
▶

first performance: 03.06.24 | Cikada | Universitetsaulaen, Bergen (NO)
instrumentation: bass flute, bass clarinet and piano
duration: ca. 7'
written for: Cikada

James Layton · weav [2024]

a difference of differences (2024)
for large ensemble
▶

first performance: 12.04.24 | Ensemble Lime | Lindemansalen, NMH (NO)
instrumentation: 2 electric guitars, accordion, percussion, 3 wind instruments [open], violin, viola, cello, double bass
duration: ca. 25'
written for: Ensemble Lime

James Layton · a difference of differences

tilted form - four different ones (2023)
for large ensemble
▶

first performance: 01.03.24 | Orkest De Ereprijs | Gigant, Apeldoorn (NL)
instrumentation: alto flute, bass flute, clarinet in Bb, soprano saxophone, soprano saxophone (db. baritone saxophone), horn in F, trumpet in C, trombone[2], tuba, electric guitar, electric bass guitar, percussion and piano
duration: ca. 4'
written for: Orkest De Ereprijs

James Layton · tilted form - four different ones [2023]

vertical seconds (2023)
for orchestra
▶

first performance: 08.12.24 | NMH Symphony Orchestra | Lindemansalen, NMH (NO)
instrumentation: orchestra 2.2.2.2- 4.2.3.1- percussion[2] - hp- strings
duration: ca. 5'
written for: Trondheim Symfoniorkest

other performances: 09.12.24 | NMH Symphony Orchestra | Lindemansalen, NMH (NO)

James Layton · vertical seconds (for orchestra) [2023]

veering slowly, losing identity (2023)
for choir
▶

first performance: 27.10.24 | NMH Vokal Ensemble | Majorstua Kirke, Oslo (NO)
instrumentation: 12 mixed voices (SATB)
duration: ca. 8'

other performances: 25.08.25 | EMO Ensemble | Ung Nordisk Musikk 2025, Helsinki (FI)

James Layton · veering slowly, losing identity (for 12 mixed voices) [2023]

time spent (2023)
for quartet and moving image [2 versions]
▶

created in collaboration with: Lyn De Weijer

time spent (a)

first performance: 27.08.23 | I Solisti | De Bijloke, Ghent (BE)
instrumentation: flute, clarinet, cello, vibraphone and moving image
duration: ca. 13'
written for: I Solisti

time spent (b)

first performance: FEB 26 | AREPO | TBC (NO)
instrumentation: clarinet, cello, electric guitar, accordion and moving image
duration: ca. 13'
written for: AREPO

honour thy error as a hidden intention (2023)
for six instruments
▶

first performance: 31.05.23 | EnsembleSpectrum | Nová Cvernovka, Bratislava (SL)
instrumentation: flute (db. piccolo), clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano
duration: ca. 12'

other performances: 05.07.24 | Standard Issue | Music We'd Like to Hear, London (UK)

emerging forms (2023)
for large open ensemble
▶

first performance: 02.05.23 | Visual Music Ensemble | Lindemansalen, NMH (NO)
instrumentation: flute (db. piccolo), clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano
duration: ca. 20'

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

Rock-A-Bye (2023)
for dance
▶

first performance: 04.03.23 | Kloden Teater, Oslo (NO)
duration: ca. 45'

In a sensory landscape of textile stones, an abstract universe of strange shapes, crunching sounds, rocking movement and electric guitar tones emerges, all adapted to the exploratory little children who senses and understands the world with their whole being.

"Rock a-bye" examines "Rock" with its various meanings - as material (stone), as musical genre (rock) and as movement (cradling), in a multi-sensory dance performance for the youngest children (6-18 months) and their caregivers . It unfolds as a moving installation where the children are surrounded by scenography and dancers, sounds and lights. The children have complete freedom of movement and are allowed to explore the space in interaction with the dancers.

Choreography and producer: Ida Cathrin Utvik
Costume and scenography: Lærke Bang Barfod
Music and sound design: James Layton
Lighting design and technical responsible: Martin Myrvold
Co-creating dancers:
Anders Engebretsen
Andreas Holme Kjærland
Oda Rognø
Oda Olivia Ø. Lindegård
Clara Victoria Fischer
Amelia Møller

after calder (2023)
for solo guitar
▶

first performance:
instrumentation: guitar
written for: Ondrej Veselý
duration: ca. 10'

saudade (2021-22)
opera
▶

first performance: 28.06.22 | Ostravská banda | NODO festival 2022, Antonín Dvořák Theater, Ostrava (CZ)
instrumentation: soprano, baritone, dancer and chamber orchestra
duration: ca. 25'
commissioned by: Petr Kotík
libretto by: Jack Burnham
written for: NODO festival 2022

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

programme note:
'Found at the intersection between desire and expression, two halves, separated by death (NO)w 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.'

James Layton · saudade (chamber opera in seven stills) [2021-22] [extract]

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

are we on other, less concrete shores? (2021)
electro-acoustic
▶

instrumentation: e-bowed electric guitar, bowed acoustic guitar and field recordings
duration: 10'

these memories are not my own, they're borrowed from my past (2021)
electro-acoustic
▶

instrumentation: piano(2) and electric guitar(2)
duration: 32'

i needed colour (2020)
for alto flute and violin/for solo guitar/for solo piano [3 versions]
▶

time spent (a)

first performance: instrumentation: alto flute and violin
duration: ca. 8'
written for: Fira Duo

James Layton · i needed colour (for a.flute and violin) [2020]

time spent (b)

first performance:
instrumentation: guitar
duration: ca. 8'
written for: Tomas Laukvik Nannestad

time spent (c)

first performance:
instrumentation: piano
duration: ca. 8'

jean, you forgot to pay the electric bill! (2020)
electro-acoustic
▶

instrumentation: e-bowed zither, lapsteel guitar, acoustic guitar and 4-track cassette recorder duration: ca. 12'

insekten (2020)
for violin, vibraphone and piano
▶

first performance:
instrumentation: violin, vibraphone and piano
duration: ca. 30''
written for: Kompass Ensemble

James Layton · insekten (for violin, vibraphone and piano) [2020]

i love the whole world (2019)
for open instrumentation
▶

first performance: 19.01.23 | Levinsalen, NMH, Oslo (NO)
first version by: Elias Nurmi Schomers (cello and voice) (NO)el Rubli (accordion), Ferdinand Schwarz (trumpet, melodica and voice) and James Layton (piano)
instrumentation: for any sustaining instrument(s)
duration: ca. 10'

James Layton · i love the whole world [2019]

focal (2019)
for orchestra
▶

first performance: 08.02.19 | Trinity Laban Shapeshifter Orchestra, conducted by Kwamé Ryan | Blackheath Halls, London (UK)
instrumentation: orchestra 2.2.2.2 - 2.2.1.0 - perc - tmp - strings
duration: ca. 8'
commissioned by: Trinity Laban Shapeshifter Orchestra

other performances: 25.08.19 | ONO/Ostrava New Orchestra, conducted by Petr Kotík | Ostrava Days 2019 (CZ)

James Layton · Focal (for orchestra) [2019]

chance, order, change (2018)
for large ensemble
▶

first performance: 12.04.25 | Aldubáran | The Nordic Saxophone Festival, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
instrumentation: s.sax, a.sax[2], t.sax, bar.sax, vln[2], vla, vc, db, pno
duration: ca. 11'

James Layton · Ripple [2018]

wandering (2018)
for solo viola/for solo cello [2 versions]
▶

wandering (a)

first performance: 18.02.19 | Stephen Upshaw | Edouard Malingue Gallery, London (UK)
instrumentation: solo viola
duration: ca. 6'

wandering (b)

first performance: 07.11.25 | Ragnhild Sannes | Fana kulturhus, Bergen (NO)
instrumentation: cello
duration: ca. 6'

slowly getting nowhere (2018)
for solo piano
▶

first performance: 13.10.22 | Revaz Abramia | Levinsalen, NMH, Oslo (NO)
instrumentation: piano and electronics
duration: ca. 16'

James Layton · Slowly Getting Nowhere (for solo piano) [2018]

tectonics (2018)
for solo orchestra
▶

first performance:
instrumentation: 2.2.2.2-2.2.1.0-percusion[2], timp, hp, strings
duration: ca. 5'

James Layton · Tectonics (for orchestra) [2018]

breathless (2017)
for amplified viola and tape
▶

first performance: 08.06.17 | Stephen Upshaw | St Alfege Church, Greenwich (UK)
instrumentation: amplified viola and tape
duration: ca. 5' written for: Stephen Upshaw

other performances: 19.09.24 | Laura Kumwenda | Ultima Festivalen 2024, Oslo (NO)

James Layton · Breathless (for solo viola and electronics) [2017]

afar fen (2016)
for brass quintet
▶

first performance:
instrumentation: bass quintet
duration: ca. 3'

listen

more recordings avaliable on SoundCloud

selected discography

Label: UBU Collection
Catalog number: UBU #6
honour thy error as a hidden intention (2023)
performed by Ensemble Spectrum

Label: Into the Ocean
Catalog number: ITO001
wandering (2018)
performed by Stephen Upshaw

Label: RGMS
Catalog number: RGMS-012
are we on other, less concrete shores? (2022)

Label: RGMS
Catalog number: RGMS-08
these memories are not my own, they're borrowed from my past (2021)

Label: RGMS
Catalog number: RGMS-04
jean, you forgot to pay the electric bill! (2021)

calender

upcoming

07.11.25

"wandering (b)"
Ragnhild Sannes
@ Fana kulturhus, Bergen (NO) | composer

Jan 26

"after calder"[WP]
Tomas Laukvik Nannestad
@ Scenehuset, Oslo (NO) | composer

Feb 26

"time spent (b)"
AREPO
@ venue TBC, Oslo (NO) | composer

past

2025

05.09.25 |
"in nomine" - Tomas Laukvik Nannestad @ INN:PUST 2025, Gjøvik (NO) | composer
25.08.25 |
"veering slowly, losing identity" - EMO Ensemble @ Ung Nordisk Musikk 2025, Helsinki (FI) | composer
21.08.25 |
"having never known the piano" - Jenn Mong @ Ostrava Days 2025, Ostrava (CZ) | composer
28.05.25 |
"I AM STILL ALIVE, ON KAWARA"[WP]- Oslo Filharmonien @ KHIO, Oslo (NO) | composer
31.03.25 |
"having never known the piano"[WP]- Rei Nakamura @ Levinsalen, NMH, Oslo (NO) | composer
25.02.25 |
"listening until the light forgets itself"[WP] @ Levinsalen, NMH, Oslo (NO) | composer + performer + curator
08.02.25 |
Keysers Gate Intimate Sessions, Oslo (NO) | composer + co-curator

2024

12.12.24 |
"in nomine"[WP] - Tomas Laukvik Nannestad @ Scenehuset, Oslo (NO) | composer
28.10.24 |
"weav" - Cikada Auditoriet, NMH (NO) | composer
16.10.24 |
"tilted form - four different ones" by Orkest De Ereprijs @ | composer
19.09.24 |
"breathless" - Laura Kumwenda @ Ultima Festivalen, Oslo (NO) | composer
05.07.24 |
"honour thy error as a hidden intention" - Standard Issue @ Music We'd Like to Hear, London (UK) | composer
03.06.24 |
"weav"[WP]- Cikada @ Universitetsaulaen, Bergen (NO) | composer
... 31.05.24 |
Games Night with Peter Peschel @ Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene | performer
21.04.24 |
"tilted form - four different ones" - Orkest De Ereprijs @ ACEC, Apeldoorn (NL) | composer
11.04.24 |
"a difference of differences"[WP]- Ensemble Lime @ Lindemansalen, NMH, Oslo (NO) | composer
20.04.24 |
Listening: Resonating @ Levinsalen, NMH (NO) | perfomer
01.03.24 |
"tilted form - four different ones"[WP]- Orkest De Ereprijs @ Gigant, Apeldoorn (NL) | composer

2023

09.12.23 |
"vertical seconds" - NMH Symphony Orchestra @ Lindemansalen, NMH, Oslo (NO) | composer
08.12.23 |
"vertical seconds"[WP]- NMH Symphony Orchestra @ Lindemansalen, NMH, Oslo (NO) | composer
03.12.23 |
Nurmi, Schwarz, Rubli and Layton - Samtidsmusikkpub @ Kafé Hærverk, Oslo (NO) | composer + performer
14.11.23 |
"wandering" - Stephen Upshaw @ Cambridge University (UK) | composer
11.11.23 |
Rock-A-Bye - Ida Cathrin Utvik @ Festiviteten, Haugesund (NO) | composer
27.10.23 |
"veering slowly, losing identity" [WP] performed NMH Vokalensemble, conducted by Henri Raeck and Victor Cheng @ Majorstua Kirke, Oslo (NO) | composer
27.08.23 |
"time spent"[WP]- I Soliti, conducted by Filip Rathe @ De Bijloke, Ghent (BE) | composer
31.05.23 |
"honour thy error as a hidden intention"[WP] - EnsembleSpectrum @ Nová Cvernovka, Bratislava (SL) | composer
05.05.23 |
Gradient Ensemble, Music by Ferdinand Schwarz @ Majorstua Kirke, Oslo (NO) | performer
02.05.23 |
"emerging forms"[WP] + "are we on other, less concrete shores", collaboration with Ferdinand Schwarz @ Lindemansalen, NMH, Oslo (NO) | composer + performer + co-curator
12.04.23 |
Divided in II, VeleUM, Music by Urban Megušar | performer
10.03.23 |
"wandering" - Laura M B Kumwenda @ Hotboxkjelleren, Oslo (NO) | composer
05.03.23 |
"wandering", "slowly getting nowhere", "i needed colour" and "i love the whole world" @ NMH, Levinsalen, Oslo (NO) | composer + performer + co-curator
04.03.23 |
"Rock-A-Bye - Ida Cathrin Utvik"[WP] @ Kloden, Oslo (NO) | composer
09.02.23 |
Metal Reeds - The Rhythms of Harmony, Music by Ferdinand Schwarz @ Majorstuen Kirke, Oslo (NO) | performer
19.01.23 |
"i love the whole world"[WP] - Nurmi, Schwarz, Rubli and Layton @ NMH Levinsalen, Oslo (NO) | composer + performer

2022

20.10.22 |
"these memories are not my own, they're borrowed from my past"[WP] - Ferdinand Schwarz and James Layton @ NMH Levinsalen, Oslo (NO) | composer + performer + curator
13.10.22 |
"wandering", "slowly getting nowhere"[WP] and "i needed colour"[WP] @ NMH Levinsalen, Oslo (NO) | composer
28.06.22 |
"sauade - chamber opera in seven stills"[WP] - Ostravská banda, conducted by Bruno Ferrandis @ NODO Festival 2022 (CZ) | composer

2020

2019

25.08.19 |
"focal" - ONO/Ostrava New Orchestra @ Ostrava Days 2019 (CZ) | composer
08.02.19 |
"focal"[WP]- Trinity Laban Shapeshifter Orchestra @ Blackheath Halls, London (UK) | composer

2017

08.06.17 | "breathless"[WP] - Stephen Upshaw @ St Alfege Church, Greenwich (UK) | composer