Oliver Weeks (born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire) is an English composer, arranger, and guitarist.

Education

Weeks grew up in Frome, Somerset, and developed an early interest in classical music and '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll.[1] He attended Frome Community College and then Clare College, Cambridge, where he read music and received a starred First.

A school visit to Kolkata in 1996 led to a deep engagement with Bengali poetry and music. Weeks wrote his undergraduate dissertation on baul music and Rabindra Sangeet. He also created classical works based on original Bengali source material. He remained at Cambridge to complete an MPhil under Robin Holloway, and subsequently received his PhD in composition from the Royal Academy of Music, London, studying with Simon Bainbridge and Philip Cashian.

Compositions

Orchestras and ensembles who have performed his work include the London Philharmonic Orchestra,[2] the Philharmonia,[3] the ensemble Endymion,[4] the Royal Academy Soloists, and the City of London Sinfonia.

Non-classical work and collaborations

After fieldwork on the Baul musicians (mystic poets and singers) of Bengal, Weeks collaborated with the Bengali singer Moushumi Bhowmik to form the syncretic group Parapar.[5] He also plays in the instrumental metal band Astrohenge[6] and formed the band Khiyo with singer Sohini Alam in 2007.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Profile on Parapar website". Archived from the original on 2008-12-25. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  2. ↑ "Young Composers | Education | LPO". lpo.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  3. ↑ "Philharmonia Current and Venerable @www.classicalsource.com". classicalsource.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  4. ↑ Clements, Andrew (22 April 2005). "Endymion, Purcell Room, London | Music | The Guardian". The Guardian. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  5. ↑ "The Telegraph – Calcutta : At Leisure". telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2006. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  6. ↑ "Astrohenge | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". myspace.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  7. ↑ Roman Kirichik. "Khiyo | Home". khiyo.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
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