Cellist, performer, composer, educator, media commentator and writer
Following a competitive application process, the ISCM British Section Board have selected the 6 composers who will be submitted to the ISCM International Jury for consideration. At least 1 will be selected for performance at the Faroe Islands festival from 22 to 30 June 2024.
Full shortlist info here
Zoë’s piece ‘kiss kiss” for brass quintet launched as part of Onyx brass ensemble’s 30th anniversary album “the sun is free to flow with the sea” on NMC. Listen here.
Photo from album launch at World Heart Beat, June 2023
Part of London Sinfonietta’s Sound Out annual festival for schools, Zoë’s piece “wicca wacca ow”, for flexible ensemble, percussion, keyboard, voices and audience was given a rollicking first performance in a packed Royal Festival Hall, with Lucy Armstrong conducting and Patrick Bailey leading a ROCKING audience of London school children. Live streamed to schools across the country.
“Karakia” (Māori prayer) by Zoë Martlew, performed by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge, conducted by Graham Ross.
Watch HERE
Text (by anon):
“Cease the winds from the West / Cease the winds from the South/ Let the breeze blow over the land/ Let the breeze blow over the ocean/ Let the red-tipped dawn come with sharpened air.
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day. “
Performed in the anti-chapel of Clare College chapel as introit to an evensong service, and part of the celebration of 50 years of co-ed at Clare, Zoë’s alma mater.
Cellist Anssi Kartunnen has made a beautiful film of Zoë’s new piece for cello and fixed audio “O-lude”, which he premiered at Aldeburgh Festival summer 2022.
Here it is!
Press reviews: “ …. caught Knussen’s free-spirited wit. So, too, did Zoë Martlew’s O-lude, a mini-drama featuring his trademark can of Diet Coke, baton and taped recording of his voice in a rehearsal with another composer recently departed, Harrison Birtwistle.” Guardian
“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.” Daily Telegraph
“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.” The Times