JENNIFER WALSHE: WORK LIST

Works listed in reverse chronological order. 

Scores available from the Contemporary Music Centre of Ireland. If you want to search works by instrumentation, head to the CMC's website where this option is available. 

2023

SOME NOTES ON MARTIAN SONIC AESTHETICS, 2034-51 (2023), for French horn, trumpet, trombone, two percussionists, piano (with synthesisers), violin, viola, cello, double bass, electronics and video. Commissioned by NOW! Festival for Ensemble Modern. Premiered by Ensemble Modern, conducted by Toby Thatcher, Philharmonie Essen, October 28th 2023. 22’

MILLIONS OF EXPERIENCES (HUGE IF TRUE) (2023), for voice, piano, six additional performers (including conductor) and electronics. Commissioned by Transmediale, with assistance from the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung. Written in collaboration with Jon Leidecker. Premiered by Jon Leidecker & Jennifer Walshe, with Owen Gardner, Chris Heenan, Jana Luksts, Kanae Mizobuchi, Weston Olencki and Andrea Parkins, Akademie der Künste, Berlin, February 3rd 2023. 60’. Read interview in CLOT Magazine with Jennifer Walshe & Jon Leidecker about the piece here.

MINOR CHARACTERS (2022-23), for voice, saxophone, guitar, piano and percussion. Commissioned by Radio France, Klangspuren Festival, Austria and the Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt. Written in collaboration with Matthew Shlomowitz. 10’ version broadcast on Radio France, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 September 2022. 20’ version premiered by Jennifer Walshe & Ensemble Nikel, Klangspuren Schwaz, Austria, September 2022. 60’ version premiered by Jennifer Walshe & Ensemble Nikel, Darmstädter Ferienkurse, August 9th 2023. 60’. Read The New York Times review of the premiere here.

2022

MARS I (2022), for two voices, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, three percussion, harp, piano, violin, viola, cello, three robots, video and electronics. Text by Mark O’Connell. Commissioned by Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, with support from Ammodo. Premiered by Klangforum Wien, with Loré Lixenberg and Elaine Mitchener, conducted by Delyana Lazarova, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam, May 19th 2022. 52’

splendor_solis.wav (2022), for 7 performers and conductor. Commissioned by Nadar Ensemble, with support from the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation. Premiered by Nadar Ensemble, conducted by Thomas Moore, De Singel, Antwerp, February 19th 2022; INMM Darmstadt, Germany, June 16th 2022. 20’

2021

capture (2021), for solo percussionist. Commissioned by WDR, Köln/Musik Der Zeit. Premiered by Vanessa Porter, Funkhaus, Köln, October 30th 2021. Broadcast on WDR, Germany, November 15th 2021. 10’

PERSONHOOD (2021), for solo accordionist, flute, oboe, clarinet in B-flat, bassoon, horn in F, trumpet in B-flat, percussion, electric piano (with remote-controlled car), violin, viola, cello, double bass, conductor, electronics and video. Commissioned by Andreas Borregaard, Oslo Sinfonietta, Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival and New Music Dublin, supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and Arts Council Norway. Premiered by Andreas Borregaard and the Oslo Sinfonietta, Norwegian Opera House, Ultima Festival, September 16th 2021. 50’

SYNCRETISMUS HYPOTHESI (2021), for voice (with trumpet), flute, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, cello and electronics. Written in collaboration with Mario De Vega. Commissioned by Ryoanji, Festival Musica Strasbourg, Centre national de création musicale de Reims (Césaré) and Centre national de création musicale (GRAME). Premiered by Jennifer Walshe, Mario De Vega and ensemble ]h[iatus, Musica Strasbourg, September 28th 2021. 50’

Something That Is Continuous (2021) for voice, lute, violin and viola da gamba. Commissioned by Osterfestival Tirol and Galerie St. Barbara. To be performed by Daniel Gloger, Annelie Gahl, Eva Reiter and Jan Grüter, Osterfestival Tirol, June 12th 2021. 7’

Happiness Starts Right Now (2021) for voice and live electronics. Commissioned by Bang On A Can with support from Richard Ferrante. Performed by Jennifer Walshe, Bang on a Can Marathon (livestream), February 21st 2021. Broadcast on RTÉ Lyric FM; BBC Radio 3. 6.’ Listen here & here.

2020

Libris Solar (2020) for voice and string ensemble. Text by Jennifer Walshe with additional text by Alphonso Lingis. Commissioned by Irish National Opera. Filmed for Irish National Opera, performed by Claudia Boyle, Patrick Martins, with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Elaine Kelly. Available on-demand from RTÉ, OperaVision and Irish National Opera. 9’. Watch here.

Ireland: A Dataset (2020) for vocal ensemble, instrumentalist, video and live electronics. Commissioned by the National Concert Hall, Ireland and Sounding the Feminists. Performed by Tonnta and Nick Roth, the National Concert Hall, Ireland, September 26th 2021. 50’. Read review by Alex Ross in The New Yorker here; review by Toner Quinn in the Journal of Music here. Interview with Jennifer Walshe prior to the premiere here.

LIMITLESS POTENTIAL (2020) radiophonic composition for fixed media. Written in collaboration with Jon Leidecker. Commissioned by Deutschlandfunk Kultur. Broadcast by Deutschlandfunk Kultur, October 16th 2020; diffused at Dramaton Festival, Audiorama, Stockholm, October 30th, 2020; broadcast by BBC Radio 3, February 6th 2021; Rai Radio 3, March 15th 2021. 56’. Read about the work and listen here.

2019

TRÍ AMHRÁN (2019) for voice and piano. Commissioned by the Irish Language Art Song Project 2019 with funds provided by the Arts Council of Ireland. 14’. Scores and recordings of all three songs are available to download and use for free at the Irish Art Song project website here.

RESIDUE (2019) for flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horn, percussion, piano, voice, violin, viola, cello and double bass. Commissioned for “Ein Tag für Gerhard Stäbler 70”, funded by the Kunststiftung NRW. Performed by Jennifer Walshe and the musicians of the International Ensemble Modern Akademie, Kunststation St. Peter, Köln, 28th September 2019. 20’

ULTRA NATURAE (2019) for voice and wind ensemble. Kompositionsauftrag von kultur:schaffen für die Station Innsbruck für das Festival für aktuelles Musiktheater „Die sieben Leben des Maximilian“ im Rahmen des Maximilianjahres 2019, finanziert durch das Land Tirol und die Stadt Innsbruck. Performed by Jennifer Walshe and the Stadtmusikkapelle Hötting, Innsbruck, June 30th 2019. 20’

TIME TIME TIME (2019), opera for 9 performers. Concept and composition by Jennifer Walshe, developed in collaboration with Áine O’Dwyer, Lee Patterson, M.C. Schmidt, Vilde&Inga and Streifenjunko. Text written in collaboration with Timothy Morton. Commissioned by Sonic Acts (Netherlands), Borealis (Norway), Maerzmusik (Germany), Ultima (Norway) and London Contemporary Music Festival/Serpentine Gallery (UK). 80-90’ Review at National Sawdust Log.

2018

ULTRACHUNK (2018) for voice and neural network. Written in collaboration with Memo Akten. Commissioned by Somerset House Studios, London, with funding from the Case Foundation. 25’ Documentation, radio show hosted by Memo and Jen about Ultrachunk and voice/AI.

THE SITE OF AN INVESTIGATION (2018) for voice and orchestra. Commissioned by RTÉ for the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. 32’ Documentation of premiere, essay on the work by Liam Cagney, review at the Quietus, review at I Care If You Listen.

THE WORLDING (2018) a performative installation for 8 performers. Commissioned by the Model, Sligo, with assistance from the Arts Council of Ireland. Performed at the Model by Tonnta, August 31st, September 1st and 2nd 2018. 90’ Review.

2017

My Dog & I (2017) for cello, dancer, dog, film and electronics. Commissioned by Martine Altenburger  & Clara Cornil by Ryoanji, France. 60'

IS IT COOL TO TRY HARD NOW? (2017) for voice, film and electronics. Commissioned by Moving on Music with funds provided by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 33' Review.

A History of the Voice: Part I (2017) for four voices, film and electronics. Commissioned by Transit Festival with funds from the the Ernst Von Siemens Musikstiftung for HYOID. 60’

SELF-CARE (2017) for accordion and film (with sound). Commissioned by Andreas Borregaard with funds provided by the Arts Council of Ireland. 30’ documentation

2016

A Girl’s Book of Song (2016) for girls choir. Commissioned by the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin. 11’

EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT (2016) for voice, string quartet and film (with sound). Commissioned by the Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt, Germany; Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, UK; Gong Tomorrow, Denmark; November Music, Netherlands; Onassis Cultural Centre, Greece for Jennifer Walshe and the Arditti Quartet. Interview, review, short documentary. 41'

2015

AN GLÉACHT (2015) for 1+ performers. Commissioned by Cork Film Festival. 30'. Notes. 

1984 IT'S O.K. (2015) for violin, cello and percussion. Commissioned by Transit Festival, Belgium for Nadar Ensemble. 12'. Documentation. 

VOLUNTEER CHORUS (2015) for 5 or more performers. Free duration. Documentation + notes.

13 Vices (2015) for string trio, three improvisers and voice. Written in collaboration with Brian Irvine.  Commissioned by Moving on Music. 80'. Review + Excerpt.

Historical Documents of the Irish Avant-Garde (2015) Funded by an Arts Council of Ireland Project Grant. See www.aisteach.org + Quietus article.

Zusammen ii (2015) for seven performers. Commissioned by [rout]. 10’.

2014

The Chimes Hours (2014) for ensemble, four soloists, quartet of improvisers, multiple installations and film. Written in collaboration with Lee Patterson and Peter Meanwell. Commissioned by Aldeburgh Music. 60'. Film about the project.

Zusammen i (2014) for ten performers, from "The Chimes Hours". 10'. Documentation & score.

THE TOTAL MOUNTAIN (2014) for voice and film (with sound). Commissioned by the Donaueschinger Musiktage. 41'. Excerpt & notes. Available to purchase on DVD here.

THE SIGNING (2014) shadow opera for voice, violin, shadow puppets and film. Written by Tony Conrad and Jennifer Walshe. Commissioned by Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Toronto, Canada. Info + Interview + Films

TRAINING IS THE OPPOSITE (2014) chamber opera for soprano, string quartet, electronics and film. Commissioned by Size Zero Opera with funds provided by Arts Council, Hinrichensen Foundation and RVW Trust. Interview about the project +  Review of premiere

THEY LEFT HIM IN THE OCEAN (2014) for string quartet and DVD. Commissioned by the Arditti Quartet. 5'

2013

DORDÁN (2013) for clarinet, trombone, guitar, cello, double bass and DVD. Funded by an Arts Council of Ireland Project Grant. 35'. Documentation & notes.

WASH ME WHITER THAN SNOW (2013) for violin, cello and DVD. Commissioned by Césaré, Centre National du Création Musicale, Reims, France. 16'. Documentation & notes.

DURATION & ITS SIMPLE MODES (2013) for solo voice and 16 voice choir. Commissioned by the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin for the Internationales Literaturfestival Berlin. 12’. Documentation.

LANGUAGE RUINS EVERYTHING (2013) for counter-tenor, piano, volunteer chorus and DVD. For Daniel Gloger and Sebastian Berweck. 10’. Documentation.

EVERYTHING YOU OWN HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEPOT SOMEWHERE (2013) for three performers. Commissioned by Ensemble Offspring. 10’. Documentation.

2012

Historical Documents of the Irish Avant-garde Vol. 1: Dada (2012) for voice and electronics. Commissioned by the DAAD Berliner Künstlerprogramm. 10’. Recording & notes.

The White Noisery (2012) for 16 voices (with objects) and CD. Commissioned by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland. 30’

SILENTLY & VERY FAST (2012) for any number of performers. Commissioned by Third Ear with funds provided by PRS for Music Foundation.

Look, Stranger on this Island (2012) for voice and electronics. Commissioned by Third Ear with funds provided by PRS for Music Foundation. 3’.

Die Taktik (2012) opera for 4 voices, chorus, 3 dancers, trombone, percussion, piano, violin, viola, cello and electronics. Commissioned by Stuttgart Junge Oper. 61’. Oper Stuttgart + Interview.

2011

Atlanta 2089 (2011) for voice, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussion, piano, guitar, cello and DVD. Commissioned by ensemble ascolta/Bent Frequency. 41’.

METTA (2011) for flute, clarinet, trombone, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, cello and voice. Commissioned by November Music and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival for ensemble ]h[iatus. 11’.

Flor Hartigan’s To Damhnait Brixius (2011) for voice and ensemble. Commissioned by Cut & Splice Festival for ensemble ascolta. 10’.

A Folk Song Collection (2011) for three voices. Commissioned by Olaf Nicolai for the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart as part of the Escalier du Chant project at the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich. 10’ "A Folk Song Collection" Booklet + Escalier du Chant  +  Book of project.

ALL THE MANY PEOPLS (2011) for solo voice, DVD and electronics. Two versions: 28’ and 54’. Excerpt + Review.

The Soft Menagerie (2011) for three voices. Commissioned by Olaf Nicolai for the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart as part of the Escalier du Chant project at the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich. 10’. Excerpt & notes + "The Soft Menagerie" booklet + Escalier du Chant + Book of project.

WATCHED OVER LOVINGLY BY SILENT MACHINES (2011) for five voices (with objects) and DVD. Commissioned by Südwestrundfunks (SWR) for the Donaueschinger Musiktage 2011. 29’. Documentation.

Julian & Kanye (2011) for three voices. Commissioned by Olaf Nicolai for the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart as part of the Escalier du Chant project at the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich. 5’. Excerpt & notes + "Julian & Kanye" booklet + Escalier du Chant + Book of project.

HYGIENE (2011) for violin, viola or cello, 8 performers and DVD. For stock11. 11’. Stock11 perform HYGIENE + ensemble ]h[iatus perform HYGIENE.

2010

lashings of the old ultra-v. (2010) for four male voices and electronics. Commissioned for the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart by Musik der Jahrhunderte. 25’.

The Church of Frequency & Protein (2010) for voice, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussion, piano, guitar, cello and DVD. Commissioned by ensemble ascolta and TonLagen/Dresden. 52’. 

Stuttgart 2089 (2010) for voice, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussion, piano, guitar, cello and DVD. Commissioned by ensemble ascolta. 41’. 

Freya Birren’s The Faerie Queene (2010) for voice, guitar and DVD. Commissioned by the Chelsea Art Museum, New York, with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland. 8’. Film + Purchase here.

Wilhelm vs. Bruce (Fists of Fury!) (2010) for 16-channel sound. Commissioned by Musik 21 Niedersachsen as part of the “16 Daily Experiences” project. 5’.

Hotel Chelsea (2010) for organ and symphony orchestra. Commissioned for the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland by RTÉ. 15’. Review.

2009

The Geometry (2009), opera for 4 actors, voice, clarinet, guitar, live electronics. Commissioned by Object Collection with funds provided by the Arts Council of Ireland. 60’. Notes & pics.

Performat #2 (2009) for voice and electronics. Commissioned by Lucie Fontaine. 6’. Excerpt + Vinyl.

Freya Birren’s Libris Solar (2009) for voice and orchestra. Commissioned by the Fondazione Claudio Buziol, Venice. 8’. Jennifer Walshe and the Orchestra Sinfonica del Teatro La Fenice perform Libris Solar at the Basilica dei Frari, Venice + Purchase here.

MARLOWE S. (2009) for string quartet, tape recorder and CD. Commissioned by the Quatuor Bozzini with funds from the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung. 22’.

2008

Thelma Mansfield (2008) for flute, percussion and piano with DVD. Commissioned by Trio Nexus with funds provided by the Arts Council of Ireland. 25’. Excerpt.

Violetta Mahon’s Dream Diaries, 1988-2008 (2008) for trumpet, trombone, cello, two percussionists, piano, cello and CD. Commissioned by South Dublin County Council through the INCONTEXT3 Public Art programme and funded under the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s Per Cent for Art Scheme. 30’. 

PADDY REILLY RUNS WITH THE DEVIL (2008) for five vocalists with mp3 players. Commissioned for the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart by Musik der Jahrhunderte. 4’.

he was she was (2008) for four performers and CD. Commissioned by CoMA with funds from the Performing Rights Society Foundation, the Arts Council of England London and subscribers to CoMA’s CoM>missioning Scheme. 5’.

The Dowager Marchylove’s The Wasistas of Thereswhere (2008) for voice, tin whistle, kazoo and live electronics. Commissioned by South Dublin County Council’s InContext3 programme. 15’.

becher (2008) for solo piano. Commissioned by the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition and RTÉ Lyric FM. 5’.

Turf Boon’s Community Choir Drawing 8291: lámh (2008) for voice, chamber ensemble and laptop. Commissioned by South Dublin County Council’s InContext3 programme. 22’.

Detleva Verens’ Scintillia (2008) for solo voice, with film canister and comb. Commissioned by South Dublin County Council’s InContext3 programme. 6’.

Flor Hartigan’s Conturador (2008) for solo or ensemble. Commissioned by South Dublin County Council’s InContext3 programme. Free duration.

2007

 i: same person/ii: not the same person (2007) two versions – one for solo voice (with psaltery), instruments and laptop; one for solo voice (with psalter) and electronics. 23’; 32’.

Flor Hartigan’s whives: trio and solo (2007) Commissioned by South Dublin County Council’s InContext3 programme. 7’.

My Extensive Relationship with Mr. Stephen Patrick M. (2007) for oboe, clarinet, accordion, percussion, voice, cello and CD. Commissioned by the Essl Collection, Klosterneuburg/Vienna for the Wien Modern Festival. 20’. 

“The Blue Room” from FASTER, FASTER, PUSSYCAT - KILL KILL KILL! (2007) for piano. Commissioned by Mary Dullea. 3’.

Ukeoirn O’Connor’s Three Songs (2007) for voice and ukelele. Commissioned by South Dublin County Council’s InContext3 programme. 12’.

Physics for the Girl in the Street (2007) for voice and percussion quartet. Commissioned by Maerzmusik Festival for the Schlagquartett Köln. 35’.

2006

elephant (2006) for harp and guns. Commissioned by the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival for Rhodri Davies. 4’.

passenger (2006) for string orchestra. Commissioned by Musik der Jahrhunderte for the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester for the 2006 ISCM World New Music Days Festival. 30’.

22’30” for a singer (2006) for voice and laptop. Commissioned by the Semper Oper, Dresden. 22’30”.

dub/ber/vie (2006) for voice, 4-channel sound projection and live electronics. Written with Bernhard Gál. Commissioned by ZKM (Karlsruhe). 35’.

2005

The Procedure for Smoothing Air (2005) for trombone, voice, piano, cello and CD. Commissioned by RTÉ for Crash Ensemble. 15’.

Motel Abandon (2005) for voice, actor, cello, DVD and multiple CDs. Commissioned by the DAAD Berliner Künstlerprogramm. 30’.

The Book of Tamworth (2005) for any forces. Originally commissioned by the National Sculpture Factory, Ireland. Free duration.

(your name here) (2005) for voice, violin and video. Commissioned by BELEF, Belgrade. 20’.  

 G.L.O.R.I.- (2005) for solo voice. Commissioned by Art of Sound, Ireland. 4’.

meanwhile, back at the ranch… (2005) for seven performers and image controller. Commissioned by ensemble ascolta. Free duration.

2004

#214: the son and heir (2004) for voice, clarinet and cello. Commissioned by the DAAD Berliner Künstlerprogramm. ca. 20’.

nature data (2004) for voice and dictaphones. Commissioned by Wien Modern. ca. 10’.

A Fyne Prospeckte: Jim and Christine Sheenan’s Chateau Tamworth (2004) for four performers. Commissioned by the National Sculpture Factory, Ireland. 19’.

x=dative case (2004) for french horn. Commissioned for OR_BIT by the 2004 ISCM World New Music Days Festival. 1’.

set phasers on KILL! (2004) for three female voices and two male voices, trombone, two percussionists, prepared piano, viola, cello, video, slides and CD. ca. 30’.

Cooking with Stone (2004), open score. Commissioned by Apartment House. 5’.

#132: the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat (2004) for voice, cello and viola/percussion. Commissioned by Q-02. ca. 30’.

#112: dear hero imprison’d (2004) for two voices and cello. Commissioned by Akademie Schloss Solitude. Performed by Apartment House in Schloss Solitude, Stuttgart, May 21st 2004. ca. 20’.

THIS IS WHY PEOPLE O.D. ON PILLS /AND JUMP FROM THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE (2004) for solo or ensemble. Commissioned by Anton Lukoszevieze. Free duration. Recording + Soundcloud.

a sensitive number for the laydeez (2004) for viola, saxophone, percussion, piano and video. Commissioned by ensemble Intégrales. ca. 10’. Listen to recording on Edition Zeitklang + Purchase on iTunes here + Soundcloud.

2003

XXX_LIVE_NUDE_GIRLS!!! (2003) for two female vocalists, clarinet, trombone, accordion, cello, two puppeteers, two camera operators and CD. Commissioned by Dresdener Tage der zeitgenössischen Musik and Wien Modern. 34'. Excerpt + Purchase DVD here.

minard/nithsdale (2003) for string quartet and two boomboxes. Commissioned by SCI/ASCAP. 10'. Recording.

2002

been in a room and a room and a room and a room (2002) for twelve voices. Commissioned by Crash Ensemble with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland. 15’.

theme from (2002) for violin and piano with walkie-talkies. Commissioned by the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. 10’.

here we are now (2002) for voice, cello, trombone and percussion. Commissioned by Sudwest Rundfunk (SWR), Germany. 18’. Recording & notes

unbreakable line. hinged waist. (2002) for flute, oboe, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, viola and cello. Commissioned by the Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt for ensemble récherche. 15’. Recording & notes.

movement v: presto giocose (2002) for chamber orchestra. Commissioned by the Irish Chamber Orchestra. 3’.

2001

ná déan NÍL CEAD (2001) for voice and string ensemble. Commissioned by Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln (WDR), Germany for Ensemble Resonanz. 15’.  

dirty white fields (2001) for voice and violin. Commissioned by the National Concert Hall, Dublin Ireland. 15’.

NOW WASH YOUR HANDS (2001) for voice, cello and two djs. Commissioned by the Project Arts Centre, Dublin. 25’.

small small big (2001) for wind ensemble. Commissioned by James Cavanagh and the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble with the assistance of the New Music Commissioning Scheme of the Arts Council of Ireland. 12’.

moving in/love song/city front garden with old men (2001) for tenor voice and piano. Commissioned by RTÉ. 22’.

2000

like glass in a mirror on a windowpane (2000) for wind quintet. 12’.

as mo cheann (2000) for voice and violin. 15’.