- 07983638995
- Naomi Belshaw Consultancy, London, UK
Naomi Belshaw Consultancy
Composer Nathan James Dearden
Bio
Described as “a champion of his generation” and whose music is “hauntingly beautiful’ (Media Wales), Nathan James Dearden is an award-winning Welsh composer, conductor, and educator. He has been performed and featured by the BBC Singers, Philharmonia Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Berkeley Ensemble, Welsh National Opera, mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, The Tippett Quartet, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, The Heath Quartet, the Fidelio Trio, Hebrides Ensemble, and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
messages: iv. i love you, girl
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'The day following' with UPROAR New Music Ensemble
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Music
Nathan's music regularly features in concerts across the UK and overseas, including at the ISCM World Music Days, Cheltenham Music Festival, Dartington International Summer Festival, International Young Composers' Meeting, CROSSROADS International New Music Festival and Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, Resonance FM, RTÉ lyric FM, S4C and Soho Radio, and has been released on NMC Recordings and Delphian.
Recent notable performances and projects include: Three Motets, commissioned by Presteigne Festival of Music and Arts; messages, commissioned by Three Choirs Festival; a Welsh tour of The day following with UPROAR New Music Ensemble; and That now are distant, commissioned by Nicky Spence and Andrew Matthews-Owen.
Press
"Nathan James Dearden's new work, messages, commissioned to match Holst's forces, set moving texts written to speak out and inspire hope. All were simply and atmospherically set and here too, the power of Taylor's solos carried wonderfully in the cathedral acoustic." 4 stars, Rian Evans, The Guardian 2024
"The whole piece struck me to the core and instantly I can tell this one of Nathan's strongest pieces to date. The work was bold and modest, well crafted and elegant, and ultimately sincere. If he carries on like this Wales has a bright future with Nathan as a champion of his generation." Makem Composer, Baltic Musical Gems 2016
Highlights
Live
The summer of 2025 is a busy season for Nathan's music, with performances spanning major festivals and international venues. In July, his work Morals + Interludes will be a feature of the Brecon Choral Festival, with a performance in the Chapel of Christ College on July 20th. Later that month, the beautiful full of sweet days will be heard at St. Gabriel's Church in London, performed by the Omnium Ensemble on July 19th. August is particularly significant, beginning with the premiere of his new work MAMIAITH at the National Eisteddfod of Wales on August 8th. As Artistic Director of the National Youth Choir of Wales, Nathan will lead them on their summer tour, performing his work Everything about us at prominent venues including St Asaph Cathedral and St Fagans National Museum on August 23rd and 24th. The season culminates at the prestigious Presteigne Festival, where his powerful piece i breathe will be performed by Bath Camerata at Leominster Priory on August 24th.
Recordings
Upcoming Portrait Album
Following the critical success of pieces on previous recordings with Delphian and NMC, a new portrait album is in production for a late 2025 or early 2026 release with Signum Records. This recording will feature of his vocal works from the last five years, including the Choir of Royal Holloway, BBC Singers and National Youth Choir.
i breathe | Nathan James Dearden | National Youth Training Choir of Great Britain
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