Nick Williams
I am a composer and part time lecturer in composition, harmony and counterpoint, analysis and popular music studies at Huddersfield University. My research interests include new music in the Netherlands, postminimalism, and music of political commitment. My music has been performed throughout Europe and the USA, with commissions and performances at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Belfast Sonorities Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival (Vermont) and Canterbury Sounds New Contemporary Music Festival. Performers and ensembles include violinist Monica Germino, pianists Philip Thomas and Wilhem Latchoumia, organist Lauren Redhead, Duo Contour, Wake Up!, Labyrinth.
Address: Leeds
Address: Leeds
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Nick Williams
Abstract
Between 1976 and 1986 the Dutch group Hoketus were central to the creation of the sound and aesthetic of the Hague school. Through their rehearsal process they challenged and redefined the role of the composers who wrote for them in relation to the ensemble, and in doing so they challenged conventional notions of composer privilege and power. While not going as far as free improvisation groups in erasing the boundaries between composers and performers, they created a situation in which traditional hierarchies were overturned. Without ever claiming co-ownership of the resulting works, the group actively participated in the creative process and so could claim a higher degree of ownership and responsibility for the music they played than is usually the case.
Nick Williams studied music at York University and composition at the University of Huddersfield; his PhD research ‘Strategies of Postminimalism in my Recent Music’ was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Since 2005 he has lectured in composition, analysis and harmony at the University of Huddersfield whilst continuing to pursue his career as a professional composer. His work has been performed widely in Britain, Europe and the United States by, among others, Philip Thomas, Monica Germino and Duo Contour. At present he is writing a work for the Dutch ensemble Electra.
Footnotes
1 A shorter version of this article was presented at the conference ‘Classical Music, Critical Challenges' at King's College, London, on 17 October 2014. I would like to thank composers and former members of Hoketus for their invaluable help, in particular Louis Andriessen, Cornelis de Bondt, Huib Emmer, Diderik Wagenaar and Patricio Wang.
Drafts by Nick Williams
Nick Williams
Abstract
Between 1976 and 1986 the Dutch group Hoketus were central to the creation of the sound and aesthetic of the Hague school. Through their rehearsal process they challenged and redefined the role of the composers who wrote for them in relation to the ensemble, and in doing so they challenged conventional notions of composer privilege and power. While not going as far as free improvisation groups in erasing the boundaries between composers and performers, they created a situation in which traditional hierarchies were overturned. Without ever claiming co-ownership of the resulting works, the group actively participated in the creative process and so could claim a higher degree of ownership and responsibility for the music they played than is usually the case.
Nick Williams studied music at York University and composition at the University of Huddersfield; his PhD research ‘Strategies of Postminimalism in my Recent Music’ was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Since 2005 he has lectured in composition, analysis and harmony at the University of Huddersfield whilst continuing to pursue his career as a professional composer. His work has been performed widely in Britain, Europe and the United States by, among others, Philip Thomas, Monica Germino and Duo Contour. At present he is writing a work for the Dutch ensemble Electra.
Footnotes
1 A shorter version of this article was presented at the conference ‘Classical Music, Critical Challenges' at King's College, London, on 17 October 2014. I would like to thank composers and former members of Hoketus for their invaluable help, in particular Louis Andriessen, Cornelis de Bondt, Huib Emmer, Diderik Wagenaar and Patricio Wang.