Solo & chamber ensemble
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"Itō Noe: On an Endless Road" (2023)
for satsuma biwa and voice (1 performer) Music: Francesca Le Lohé Words: excerpts from the writings of Itō Noe (1895-1923) Duration: approx. 20 minutes World Premiere: 10/12/2023, Jiyugakuen, Tokyo, Japan. UK Tour (London/Manchester/Huddersfield/Leeds): 05/03/2024 - 12/03/2024. Developed in collaboration with and performed by Akiko Kubota. About "Itō Noe: On an Endless Road" In the satsuma biwa tradition, performers recite tales of historical battles and warriors whilst accompanying themselves on the instrument. When studying the biwa, I began thinking of other kinds of ‘warriors’ and felt the biwa to be the perfect vehicle to engage new audiences with historical trailblazing women. This work celebrates the life of writer & feminist anarchist Itō Noe, killed by Japanese state forces when she was just 28. |
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Commissioned by clarinettist Paul Vowles. T&I is a development on the incidental music created for Whole Hog Theatre's adaptation of Tristan and Isolde, staged at DDD Aoyama Theatre, Tokyo, January 2017. Major performances: Sherborne, UK (2017), International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest, Belgium (2018). Performed by Paul Vowles and Gemma Beeson T&I_SampleScore_FLeLohe.pdf |
Commissioned by Sounds of the Engine House Ensemble on winning their 2014 Composition Award. The fixed media part holds influence over the instrumental music, which sometimes assimilates, sometimes breaks away from its sonic surroundings. Text after “Song of the Flame” (Makoto Ooka). Major performances: International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester, UK (2015) |
Composed for George Barton and Siwan Rhys as part of the New Dots 2014 concert series. ‘Saida Portraits’ is in five short movements, each inspired by a portrait photograph taken by Hashem el Madani in his studio in Saida, Lebanon during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, collected and exhibited by the artist Akram Zaatari. Major performances: The Forge, London, UK (2014), Warwick Arts Centre, UK (2018) SaidaPortraits_sample_FLeLohe.pdf |
TROH-moh-s (τρόμος) translates from the ancient Greek as ‘trembling’; our protagonist trembling with anxiety, desire and jealousy each time she meets the object of her affections. Text by Sappho (615-550BC), usually referred to as Fragment 31.
Major performances: Dana Cerminaro at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2013), Akane Kudo at Suginami Koukaido Hall, Tokyo (2016) Τrohmohs_SampleScore_FLeLohe.pdf |
'Kagi', for flute/piccolo and piano, is an initial exploration of ideas inspired by the novella "The Key" by Junichiro Tanizaki. The 7 short movements centre around the development of the main character Ikuko (the wife).
Major performances: Francesca Le Lohé (fl/pic) and Kumiko Shuto (piano) at Karura Hall, Tokyo (2016) Kagi_SampleScore__FLeLohe.pdf |
Other worksCloser for kamanche, daegum and accordion.
Written for "An Orchestration of Personalties" cross-cultural composition workshop with Ensemble Zar, April 2023. AFTER 9-5 for sho & electronics (2020-2021) Created through an ongoing exchange with Berlin-based writer, Charlotte Wührer. Premiere: ”Assorted Sounds” @ OTOOTO, Tokyo (2021) QUE MORRO for string trio (2013) Major performances: Red Note ensemble, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2013), Ensemble Falke, Tokyo & Fukuoka (2022) BLIND MEN AND AN ELEPHANT for fl, cl, vln, vc, pno, perc (2012) Major performances: Psappha ensemble, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2012). WAVES ON THE EBB for fl/picc, ob, cl, bsn, 2 vln, vla, vc, db (2010) Major performances: Vaganza ensemble, University of Manchester (2010), Raise Your Voice ensemble, Centro Bar, Manchester (version for reduced ensemble, 2010). Composed for the Manchester Camerata Young Composer’s Project 2010. |