The music of James Bryce

James is involved in several areas of music: composition, keyboards, guitar... and has created works of New Music, Jazz, Children's Music, Rock & Folk, and TV / radio. In 2002 he was shortlisted by the Society for the Promotion of New Music for his work "Four Odes after Rumi" (see below). Most of the compositions on this page are available by emailing James himself. Three CDs are available to buy from the shop page of this website.

Compositions

Fragment (for three cellos) (2011: 4 mins)

First performed on Noisy Nights at the Traverse Theatre, 2011

The Octave (for electric guitar, electric violin and electric cello: 2011: 5 mins)

First performed on Noisy Nights at the Traverse Theatre, 2011

La Muerta (2003: 5 mins)

A tango, first performed 2003 by Tango Volcano

Bert Finds his Dancing Feet (Almost) (1997: 5 mins)

For solo saxophone, this work was premiered 1997 in a version for clarinet by Claire Hollyoake. Performed several times in the saxophone version by Andreas van Zoelen (tenor sax) 1999 onwards.
Excerpt from the clarinet version

Cloud Dance (1996: 5 mins)

For string quartet and two wind instruments

Fantasia on London Themes (1990: 10 mins)

For brass bands

Four Odes After Rumi (1999: 16 mins)

For two choirs and three trombones. Ode No. 1 was premiered by the Maesbury singers 2000 in a version for solo choir and three trombones (SPNM shortlisted work - 2002/2003).
Excerpt from 1st movement (synthesised realisation)

Little Suite for Three Players (2000: 9 mins)

For piano, cello and lead instrument. Premiered 2000 by Alex and Hesther Owen-Hill and James Hill. Note: this piece is suitable for Grade 3 players and aboves

Not Yet (1998: 5 mins)

Aleatoric piece for speaking voice and ensemble. Premiered at the Caithness summer School 1999

Perpetuum Mobile (2000: 3 mins)

For eight handbell players.
Excerpt (synthesised realisation)

Piece for Bass Saxophone (2000: 11 mins)

Premiered in Edinburgh by Andreas van Zoelen (2000) and performed by David Brutti at the 2007 Ravenna Festival in Italy.
Excerpt.

Prayer for the Living (1997: 4 mins)

For sprechstimme and four trombones, this piece was premiered in Aberystwyth in 1997

Quintette (1998: 15 mins)

For wind quintet.
Excerpt from 2nd movement (synthesised realisation)
Excerpt from 3rd movement (synthesised realisation)

Three Days (2002)

For bass saxophone and cor anglais.

Film Music

A Right Good Do (2007)

Parpi Films

Marvo and Doreen (2007)

Parpi Films

Jack and Zack (2003)

A rather Pinteresque short based on "Jack and Jill went up the hill"

Ten Minutes (2003)

A film based on the actions of three people in the ten minutes leading up to the silence on Remembrance Sunday

Maneater (1990)

A curious short tale on the theme of "pins in the voodoo doll" in which a woman takes revenge on her wayward lover by baking a cake in his likeness.

Theatre Music