NEWS
REMAIN COMPOSED PODCAST
I recently joined William King on the Remain Composed podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about composition, collaboration and the ideas that shape my work.
We discussed my recent song cycle, SANGAM: Songs of the River, commissioned by the the Royal Philharmonic Society and written for Swaledale Festival, and the process of immersing myself in the landscapes, literature and philosophy that inspired it. We also explored my collaborative approach to composing, why I believe a piece truly begins once it reaches performers, and how working alongside musicians continually reshapes my creative thinking.
The conversation ranges more broadly across my life as both a composer and chartered accountant, the unexpected connections between mathematics and music, and the influence of my Jain upbringing on my artistic philosophy, particularly ideas of attentive listening, humility, interconnectedness and non-violence.
It was a real pleasure to speak with William, and I hope the conversation offers listeners an insight not only into my music, but also into the wider questions that continue to inspire my work!
You can listen to the full episode here.
SANGAM: SONGS OF THE RIVER
A new podcast exploring the creation of my latest work, SANGAM: Songs of the River, is now available through Swaledale Festival.
Commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Swaledale Festival as part of the RPS Composers Programme 2026, SANGAM is a three-movement song cycle inspired by the rivers and landscapes of Swaledale and Wensleydale. The work takes its title from the Sanskrit word sangam — meaning “confluence” — and explores ideas of flow, transformation, memory and connection through texts by Ted Hughes and Rabindranath Tagore.
Recorded during rehearsals ahead of the premiere, the podcast features conversations with soprano Margaret Lingas, pianist Christopher Glynn, Swaledale Festival Artistic Director Fraser Wilson, and writer Robert Macfarlane, whose book Is a River Alive? was an important companion during the composition of the work.
The discussion ranges across rivers, music, language and listening, offering a glimpse into the ideas and collaborations that shaped the piece.
You can listen to the podcast here.
PRXLUDES ARTICLE
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Zygmund de Somogyi for PRXLUDES, discussing my compositional approach, creative philosophy, and the role of active listening, reflection, and ethics in my music-making.
In the interview, I explore how my upbringing, experiences as a singer, and Jain philosophy inform my work, shaping not just the sound, but the intention and ethical weight behind each piece. We also discuss the importance of silence, patience, and recalibration — both in the act of composing and for the audience’s experience.
You can read the full interview here.
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY COMPOSERS PROGRAMME
Over the coming year, I’ll be working with the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Swaledale Festival to create a brand-new work inspired by the landscape and stories of the Yorkshire Dales. This new piece will be premiered at next year’s festival as part of the RPS Composers programme 2026.
The programme supports emerging composers from across the UK, each commissioned to write for one of the RPS’s partner ensembles and festivals.
It is a privilege to be part of such an inspiring group of artists, and I’m especially excited to spend time in the Dales developing ideas rooted in place, memory, and sound.
You can read the official announcement on the RPS website here and more details about the premiere here.
INTERVIEW WITH CHOIR & ORGAN MAGAZINE
In a recent interview with Choir & Organ magazine, I discussed my latest choral work, The Imperishable.
This piece, commissioned for their New Music Series 2024 in partnership with the Marian Consort, is deeply influenced by the Hindustani musical tradition and explores the concept of OM as the essence of being, intertwining traditional choral textures with contemporary techniques.
During the interview, I had the opportunity to delve into the collaborative process of composition whilst also discussing the challenges of composing a contemporary choral piece whilst embracing both the spiritual depth of the text and the improvisatory nature of Hindustani music.
You can read the full interview here and watch a recording of the piece here.
PRIX ANNELIE DE MAN 2023
Dhyāna has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Prix Annelie de Man Composers Competition.
The concert will also feature new works by Jānis Petraškevičs, Jinwook Jung, Leonardo Marino, Jona Kümper, Sébastien Béranger and Maarten Bauer.
The Prix Annelie de Man festival and competition is focused fully on new music for the harpsichord, and will take place 29 November to 3 December 2023 in Orgelpark in Amsterdam. It will offer a program full of contemporary music, both from Dutch and international composers, rising stars and established names.
You can find more details about the competition and the festival here.
IS AI THE END OF ART? Battle of Ideas 2023
I have the privilege of speaking as a panellist at the upcoming discussion, “Is AI the End of Art?” as part of the Battle of Ideas Festival this year. Join me and a panel of distinguished speakers on Saturday October 28th at Convocation Hall, Church House, for an engaging discussion on the impact of Generative AI on the worlds of art and entertainment.
We’ll be delving into the fascinating realm of AI-powered creativity, exploring how this innovative technology is reshaping various artistic forms, from visual art to music and beyond. From deepfakes to AI-generated artwork, we’ll discuss the opportunities as well as the many challenges it presents…
To read more about the event, click here.
To watch a full recording of the panel discussion, click here.
