‘a fizzing creative fuse’
Sunday Times
NEXT: The Curve, Alexandra Balog, Salle Cortot Paris | 5 June 2026 8pm
I’m Noah, I am a writer and an image maker. Mostly I write music.
People often ask: ‘what kind of stuff do you write?’ A good question - yet it’s never easy to give a good answer. So for those wanting to know, here’s a whistle-stop tour.
(I rotate these with some regularity - if you’ve looked before, do look again!)
THE EARLY WORK
Sojourn is dedicated to my late mentor Melanie Daiken. It was awarded the Clements Prize in 2021.
THE STRING quartet
Quartets have always been part of my musical life, and my writing life too. Here’s the most recent, which has aired on BBC Radio 3 and 4.
THE chamber work
Phantasy Quintet is filled with the weird and wonderful. Scored for an unusual line-up of trumpet, clarinet, viola, bassoon and piano.
THE STatement piece
There’s quite a number! But it has to be The Alpinist, commissioned by the magnificent Aarhus Sinfonietta. Here’s an excerpt from the Nietzschean tale of ascent to the greatest heights and descent to the darkest recesses of the soul…
the solo work
Tetraptych is a work about artists in dialogue and the inner dialogue of artists.
the opera
A Child In Striped Pyjamas will always be a piece close to my heart. Here’s an aria from the work, in which The Father attempts to console the German Child.
the concerto
AXIOM was composed in memory of my late uncle, Edward Max. It’s based upon a koan: the road going up and the road going down are the same road.
the wild card
I have always had a soft spot for this reimagining of Seamus Heaney’s poetry. Written at speed, without looking back. One of those rare moments in life when everything just… works.
★★★★★ ‘Immense conviction and power’
Classical Source
Other FAQs:
Can I listen to more?
Sure thing. Give my YouTube channel some love here, there’s loads to enjoy. Or see a full list of works here.
Is your stuff on Spotify too?
It is. My two albums with Toccata Classics are available here. And on Apple Music too, here and here.
Can I commission something, or get involved in a commission?
You can. Get in touch here.
How do the image-making and the writing interact?
Though I do exhibit sometimes, primarily I draw, paint and make prints out of curiosity - or simply for fun. Often it helps me ‘work through’ an obstacle in my writing life. Explore the artwork here.