Zoë Martlew

Cellist, performer, composer, educator, media commentator and writer

Cello and electronics, world prem “Olly Day”, Aldeburgh Fest

Cello and electronics, world prem “Olly Day”, Aldeburgh Fest

Zoë’s new piece “O-lude” for cello and audio track was premiered in this concert given by cellist Anssi Karttunen in the third of three concerts celebrating composer and conductor Oliver Knussen at this year’s Aldeburgh Festival.

“Fittingly, however, all was eclipsed by a ghostly collage put together by his companion, Zoë Martlew, that incorporated a tape of his voice — still haunting the festival where he inspired so many memorable performances.” TIMES

“The most moving of these tributes was the one furthest from Knussen’s own style: Zoë Martlew’s mostly electronic O-lude, based on scraps of Knussen’s own voice recorded in rehearsal, overlaid with what sounded like a scratchy old recording of luminous chords from his 2nd Symphony. For a moment his shade seemed to be with us.” TELEGRAPH

The three concerts over the course of a day celebrated the great composer and conductor Oliver Knussen, a figure at the heart of the Aldeburgh Festival for many decades, in the month that would have seen his 70th birthday. In addition to Knussen’s music, the programmes feature music by composers who were particularly close to him, including special musical tributes for solo cello by his close composer friends and colleagues.

Magnus Lindberg:Promenade (first performance) (2)

Jo Kondo:A Song for the Owl (first UK performance) (4)

Oliver Knussen:Autumnal (7)

Zoë Martlew: O-lude (first performance) (7)

Brad Lubman:For Anssi for OK (first UK performance) (5)

Oliver Knussen:Four Late Poems and an Epigram of Rainer Maria Rilke (10)

George Benjamin:Olicantus (4)

Mark-Anthony Turnage:Song for Big Owl (first UK performance) (4)

Augusta Read Thomas:New piece for solo cello (first performance) (4)

Hans Abrahamsen:New piece for solo cello (first performance) (4)

Julian Anderson:Tombeau (4)

Igor Stravinsky:Elegy for viola (5)

Harrison Birtwistle:New piece for solo cello (first performance (4)

Oliver Knussen:Secret Psalm (5)

Claire Booth soprano
Tamsin Waley-Cohen violin
Anssi Karttunen cello
Huw Watkins piano
Christopher Glynn piano

World prem Wigmore Hall ensemble piece

Zoë’s new semi-theatrical work “The Plot” for soprano Heloïse Werner and world class ensemble received it’s world premiere at Wigmore Hall on Saturday June 4th 2022 as part of the launch of Werner’s debut solo album “Phrases”


Performers:
Héloïse Werner – soprano
Daniel Shao – flute
Emily Hultmark – bassoon
Laura Snowden – guitar
Calum Huggan – percussion
Colin Alexander – cello

Review from Seen and Heard International:

“A modern-day tale of loss and revelation through love via fairy tale (specifically, the ‘Fabulous Fairy of Narrative Continuation’), disco and (sadly imagined due to Wigmore Hall house rules) glitter, Martlew’s The Plot takes Victor Hugo (and the audience) for a hell of a ride, through the ‘Forest of Forgetting’. Werner acted and sang magnificently through this latter-day Die Zauberflöte, taking in elements of the Romantic Wanderer and the tarot archetype of The Hermit. It is as impossible not to love this piece as it is not to take up its invitation for finding ‘a brand-new plot of love’. Martlew’s works have been drip-fed into the light of day; this reveals a voice that needs to be heard. We need fun, and we need depth. Rarely do these come at once these days; the piece is beautifully constructed and deeply funny (the secretary glasses were a nice touch, as is the line ‘when in doubt, wear sequins’!).

5 composers, 1 cathedral organ

Once again, Zoë takes up the challenge on David Bruce’s hit YouTube channel to write a 1 minute piece, this time a solo number for Gloucester Cathedral organ on the theme of Twinkle, Twinkle… Click here to watch.

Performed by James Mitchell, alongside pieces by Ben Levin, Mikhail Johnson, Barnaby Martin and David Bruce.

New Artist Women Make Music

Zoë is delighted to announce an award from PRS Foundation Women Make Music Fund to compose a new piece for Héloïse Werner.

In June 2022, the Wigmore Hall will host the album launch concert for Héloïse’s debut solo album ‘Phrases’ on Delphian Records. There is a fantastic lineup of artists contributing to the album including new works from Elaine Mitchener, Nico Muhly, Josephine Stephenson, Oliver Leith and Héloïse herself, and performances from an ensemble of world class musicians – Amy Harman (bassoon), Calum Huggan (percussion), Daniel Shao (flute), Lawrence Power (viola), Laura Snowden (guitar) and Colin Alexander (cello). 

Zoë has mentored Héloïse over the past four years and is looking forward to writing a fizzing fun theatrical ensemble number as the finale of this concert, bringing together the brilliant performers involved on the disc.  The new work will then be recorded and performed again as part of Héloïse’s album tour. 

She gratefully acknowledges the support of PRS Foundation Women Make Music fund for this exciting new commission for a unique ensemble of artists.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of music

imgresDeafened by the whirling blades of the stealth chopper I check my parachute clips for the last time. Anti flak fire arcs towards us from the steaming jungle below. I shout over the din to Agent Sponberg:

“Free bowing? Phrasing? Piano trios? Quartets? Solo playing within an ensemble context?” He gives a double thumbs up. “Just as they told us in training.”

We nod and solemnly high five. “We’re going in.” We release the safety catches and jump.

This is ‘Nam. This is chamber music. Anything can happen. [Read more…] about Life, liberty and the pursuit of music