‘A cry of rage… striking, unforgettable’

Hugh Canning, Operalogue

Noah Max is the writer of 70 musical works including four string quartets, three operas (A Child In Striped Pyjamas, 1984, The Mariner), two song-cycles (Rapture, Lemonade in the Armenian Quarter) and a symphony. Published internationally by UMP, these pieces have been heard live at London venues from the Royal Festival Hall to Ronnie Scott’s, across the nation from Glasshouse Gateshead to JAM on the Marsh Festival in Kent, and internationally from New York’s Carnegie Hall to Vienna’s Musikverein and Paris’ Salle Cortot. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Today and Desert Island Discs, Radio 3’s In Tune and New Music Show, and on RTE Radio’s Arena and Lyric. He was awarded the Clements Prize in 2021 for his string trio Sojourn.

In 2026 Max’s chamber symphony The Alpinist was given its world premiere by the Aarhus Sinfonietta. Forthcoming first performances include his flugelhorn concerto Romances and clarinet quintet Gnossiennes.

His debut album Songs of Loneliness was released on Toccata Classics in 2022. String Quartets Nos. 1 – 4 with the Tippet Quartet followed to critical acclaim in 2025, featuring narration from author Sir Michael Morpurgo. The disc was described as ‘impressive, self-assured, brilliantly varied in style’ (BBC Music Magazine), possessing ‘immense conviction and power… a fascinating release that repays repeated listening’ ★★★★★ (Classical Source).

Max spent five years bringing his debut opera A Child In Striped Pyjamas to the stage by special arrangement with Miramax, culminating in a sold-out premiere production at London’s Cockpit Theatre in 2023. The opera was lauded by critics as ‘emotionally ambitious and vocally eloquent’ (The Telegraph) and ‘marvellously scored… A remarkable achievement for a young composer’ (The Arts Desk). Max was interviewed about the opera by The Sunday Times. The opera was revived at Brundibár Arts Festival in Newcastle 2024.

Max has been interviewed for BBC Music Magazine, Classical Music and Opera Today.

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