Andrew Lewis is an award-winning composer and an internationally recognised figure in the field of acousmatic composition. His most recent work includes more music for orchestras and ensembles, but retains a strong interest in the phenomenon of sound as raw material and the use of technology to realise new kinds of musical ideas. He is especially interested in spatial sound, in the relationship between 'real-world' and 'abstract' sounds, and in the phenomena of aural perception as part of the creative process.

His music first came to prominence through the award of several international prizes, including the EMAS/PRS Prize for 'Storm-Song' (piano and tape) in 1986, which was also featured at the Gaudeamus Music Week (Amsterdam). Subsequent awards include First Prizes at Concours de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges, 1997 ('Ascent'); Concurso Internacional ART’S XXI, Valencia, 2001 ('Cable Bay'); Concurso internacional de música eletroacústica, São Paulo, 2003 ('Penmon Point'); KLANG, Montpellier, 2016 ('Fern Hill'); Destellos, Argentina, 2017 ('Skyline') and KLANG, Montpellier, 2018 ('Lebenslieder'). In 2004 he was the recipient of a prestigious 'Euphonie d’Or' at Bourges for one of the ten most significant works of the decade 1995-2004 ('Ascent'), and in the same year his string quartet 'Tempo Reale' was chosen by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies for a Wigmore Hall concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of SPNM.

His instrumental music has been commissioned and performed by numerous prominent artists, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, l'Orchestre national Montpellier Occitanie, the Kreutzer Quartet, Psappha, Ensemble Mise-En, Ensemble Cymru, Duo Contour, UPROAR, Elinor Bennet, Jane Chapman, Wendy Holdaway, Yoshikazu Iwamoto, Gerald Garcia, Phillip Mead, Xenia Pestova, Carla Rees, Heather Roche and Vivienne Spiteri.

Recent projects include the audiovisial work 'LEXICON' (funded by the Wellcome Trust) which was seen live by more than 1700 people during its UK tour, and 'Fern Hill' for orchestra and electronics, which was commissioned for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for the centenary celebrations of Dylan Thomas, and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. This work won first prize in the KLANG! competition, Montpellier, and was given its French premiere there by the Orchestre national Montpellier Occitanie. In 2016 he was awarded a Leverhulme Research Fellowship to compose a large scale work for orchestra and electronics featuring the voices of people with dementia and their partners who care for them ('Lebenslieder'). The resulting work was awarded second prize in the KLANG! competition, Montpellier, in 2018. In 2019 'Straatmuziek' for flute, clarinet, piano and electronics was one of only two works chosen to represent Wales at the ISCM World Music Days in Estonia. In 2018 he was one of ten composers from Wales commissioned for the debut concert of the UPROAR Ensemble, and in 2020 completed a new commission them for ensemble and electronics, for a tour in the UK and Europe.

Numerous recordings are available, including two collections of his works: 'Miroirs obscurs' and 'Au-dèla' (empreintes DIGITALes) as well as 'Schattenklavier' on Shadow Piano (Innova).  His instrumental and vocal music is published by Composers Edition, and his acousmatic music by Ymx média, Montréal (electrocd.com).

He is married with four grown-up daughters, and lives in Bangor.

WEBSITES

Head of Department of Music, Drama and Performance

Email: a.p.lewis@bangor.ac.uk

Phone: 01248 382188

Location: Music Building

Website: www.andrewlewis.org.uk

Andrew Lewis is an award-winning composer and an internationally recognised figure in the field of acousmatic composition. His more recent work includes more music for orchestras and ensembles, but retains a strong interest in the materiality of sound, and the use of technology to realise new kinds of musical ideas. He is especially interested in spatial sound, in the relationship between 'real-world' and 'abstract' sounds, and in the phenomena of aural perception as part of the creative process.

(For more information, see 'Overview' below.)

  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
    Higher Education Academy, 2019
  • PhD Composition
    University of Birmingham, 1991
  • PGCE Music in Education
    Birmingham City University, 1991
  • BMus (Hons)
    University of Birmingham, 1984
  • Professional: Member of the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS)
    Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS),
  • Professional: Member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)
    Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM),
  • Professional: Member of the Performing Right Society (PRS)
    Performing Right Society (PRS),

Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate modules:

  • Sonic Art
  • Music Since 1850
  • The Nineteenth Century Symphony
  • Interactive Sound and Music
  • Composition
  • Acousmatic Composition
  • Composition in Context

I am currently main supervisor for three PhD's in composition and electroacoustic composition:

  • Sara Pinheiro: Acousmatic Foley
  • Hu Yu: Nuo Opera in Acousmatic Music
  • Shen Lin: Chinese Folk Music in Interactive and Acousmatic Music

Recently completed PhD projects in Composition:

  • Katherine Betteridge: Nature and Magic – Rediscovering Connections (2020)
  • Steven Tunnicliffe: Perception and Structure in Electroacoustic Music (2019)
  • Richard Garrett: Generative Music from Fuzzy Logic and Probability (2017)
  • Emmannouil Gregoriadis: An Invitation to Listen: exploring engagement in technologically mediated music (2016)
I mainly supervise composition PhDs, especially those involving acousmatic music, and music for live instruments with electronics. I am interested in compositional approaches and strategies, technological development of compositional tools (including software development), and aesthetic and cultural issues (for example, the role of perception and cognition in acousmatic music, and the performance and public reception of music involving technology). Examples of recently completed composition PhD projects I have supervised include "Exploring Engagement in Technologically Mediated Music", "Generative Music from Fuzzy Logic and Probability" and "Perception and Structure in Electroacoustic Music".

2022

2020

2019

2018

2016

2014

  • PublishedFern Hill
    Lewis, A. P., 30 Oct 2014
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition
  • PublishedThe Creative Practice Research Manifesto
    Skains, R., Lewis, A. & Muse, E., 7 Jul 2014.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

2012

2010

  • PublishedDark Glass
    Lewis, A. P., 1 Jan 2010
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition
  • PublishedNumber Nine Dream
    Lewis, A. P., 1 Jan 2010
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition

2009

2007

2006

  • Published'Budo' Variations.
    Lewis, A. P., 1 Jan 2006
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition
  • PublishedSona.
    Lewis, A. P., 1 Jan 2006
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition
  • PublishedTypes de sons et comportements sonores dans Novars.
    Lewis, A. P. & Castanet, P. A. (ed.), 1 Jan 2006, Portrait polychrome No 10 : Francis Dhomont. 2006 ed. INA
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2004

  • PublishedBenllech Shells.
    Lewis, A. P., 13 Feb 2004
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition
  • PublishedFrancis Dhomont’s Novars
    Lewis, A. P. & Roy, S. (ed.), 1 Jan 2004, L’analyse des musiques electroacoustiques: modeles et propositions. 2004 ed. L'Harmattan, p. 0
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2003

  • PublishedLlanddwyn Skies.
    Lewis, A. P. & Lewis, A., 3 Apr 2003
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition
  • PublishedPenmon Point.
    Lewis, A. P., 30 Oct 2003
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition

2002

  • PublishedEQ(uivocation) 1982
    Lewis, A. P., 1 Jan 2002
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition
  • Publisheddouble(serenâd)
    Lewis, A. P., 1 Jan 2002
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition

2001

  • Publisheddouble (fragment)
    Lewis, A. P., 1 Jan 2001
    Research output: Non-textual form › Composition

1998

1994

1992

2022

  • Ascent (performance)

    Performance of Ascent at Echochroma XIX

    28 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline at Echochroma XIX

    28 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Three Storms (performance)

    Performance of 'Three Storms' at Echochroma XIX

    28 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • In Memory (broadcast)

    Radio 3 broadcast of 'In Memory', on 'Radio 3 In Concert'. BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Gergely Madaras (conductor)

    15 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • In Memory (performance)

    World premiere of 'In Memory', BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Gergely Madaras (conductor)

    11 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Canzon in Double Echo (broadcast)

    Radio 3 broadcast of 'Canzon in Double Echo' on the 'New Music Show'. Uproar/Michael Rafferty

    5 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Cori Spezzati (performance)

    Performance of 'Cori Spezzati'

    2 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Three Storms (performance)

    World premiere of 'Three Storms'

    2 Nov 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline at the concert 'El laboratorio del Espacio' as part of 'Landscape and Sustainability: Listening to Multiplicity' at UAM

    13 Oct 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Cori Spezzati (performance)

    World premiere of 'Cori Spezzati'

    1 Jul 2022

    Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee (Contributor)
  • Canzon in Double Echo (performance)

    Performance of Canzon in Double Echo by UPROAR and Michael Rafferty

    8 May 2022

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Member of AHRC Peer Review College

    1 Mar 2022 →

    Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee (Contributor)

2020

2019

  • Scherzo (performance)

    Performance of Scherzo as part of the diffusion competition ay L'Espace du son, Theâtre Marni, Brussels

    11 Dec 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Cân (broadcast)

    'Acoustic Frontiers', CKCU FM Ottowa, Canada

    16 Sep 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline

    20 Jun 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline, Music Technology Department, Shanghai Normal University

    9 Jun 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (broadcast)

    Broadcast of Skyline

    23 Mar 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
  • Earthline (performance)

    World premiere of Earthline performed by Richard Craig

    9 Feb 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Étude aux objets (broadcast)

    Broadcast of Étude aux objets

    9 Feb 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
  • Étude aux objets (performance)

    Performance of Étude aux object by UPROAR and Michael Rafferty

    9 Feb 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline

    27 Jan 2019

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)

2018

  • Ascent (performance)

    Performance of Ascent

    2 Nov 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Danses acousmatiques (performance)

    Performance of Danses acousmatiques

    2 Nov 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Dark Glass (performance)

    Performance of Dark Glass

    2 Nov 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline

    2 Nov 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Ascent (performance)

    Performance of Ascent at L'Espace du son, Theâtre Marni, Brussels

    28 Oct 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • LEXICON (performance)

    Performance of LEXICON at L'Espace du son, Bar Marni, Brussels

    28 Oct 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Penmon Point (performance)

    Performance of Penmon Point at L'Espace du son, Theâtre Marni, Brussels

    28 Oct 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Scherzo (performance)

    Performance of Scherzo at L'Espace du son, Theâtre Marni, Brussels

    28 Oct 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline at L'Espace du son, Theâtre Marni, Brussels

    28 Oct 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of Skyline by BULO, Victoria Rooms, Bristol

    26 Oct 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Étude aux objets (performance)

    World premiere of Étude aux objets, performed by UPROAR and Michael Rafferty

    26 Oct 2018

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (performance)

    Performance of 'Skyline' at BEAST FEaST, Elgar Concert Hall, Birmingham

    27 Apr 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Lebenslieder (performance)

    World premiere of 'Lebenslieder' (three movements) at Studio Theatre, Pontio, Bangor

    19 Mar 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Fern Hill (performance)

    French premiere of 'Fern Hill' by l'Orchestre national Montpellier–Occitanie conducted by David Niemann, Opéra Berlioz, Montpellier, France

    23 Feb 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Fern Hill (broadcast)

    Broadcast of 'Fern Hill' on 'Hear and Now', BBC Radio 3

    17 Feb 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • LEXICON (broadcast)

    Broadcast of 'LEXICON' on 'La boîte noire', RTR – Radio France Rodez

    30 Jan 2018

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)

2017

  • Cân (performance)

    Performance of 'Cân' at 'Acousmatrix #3', Salle Marguerite Long, Conservatoire de musique de Nîmes, France

    28 Nov 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline (broadcast)

    Broadcast of 'Skyline' on 'Acoustic Frontiers', CKCU FM Ottowa, Canada

    13 Nov 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
  • Danse des gestes (pas de trois)

    Performance of 'Danse des gestes (pas de trois)' (from 'Danses Acousmatiques')

    2 Nov 2017

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Sparks in the Dark

    2 Nov 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline

    Performance of Skyline

    26 Sep 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • LEXICON

    23 Sep 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Straatmuziek

    1 Jul 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Straatmuziek

    25 Jun 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Straatmuziek

    28 Apr 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • LEXICON

    5 Apr 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Skyline

    17 Mar 2017

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Leverhulme Research Fellowship

    Songs from Afar: composing the experience of dementia (RF-2016-527)

    1 Feb 2017 – 31 May 2017

    Activity: Types of Award - Fellowship awarded competitively (Contributor)

2016

  • Skyline

    Premiere of Skyline

    20 Oct 2016

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)
  • Penmon Point

    Broadcast of Penmon Point

    28 Aug 2016

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)

Departmental Responsibilities

  • Head of Department
  • Studio Director