Jakob Bragg (b. 1990) has developed a compositional practice that engages in unconventional approaches to acoustic instruments, nurtures ongoing artistic relationships, and navigates the exploratory and ritualised. Based in Huddersfield (UK), Jakob works primarily with new music specialists and collaborators in which ideas of virtuosity, ornamentation, multiculturalism, and drama are explored.
Anna Moretó Photography
Recent works include the political “At least so far…” for voice +, harnessing the use and misuse of language by politicians, the exploratory Subdue for solo clarinet, an intense exploration of timbre through decoupled instrumental technique, and a host of works composed for somewhat unusual instruments including the Uilleann pipes and recorders (Between giants), double-bell trombone and ondomo (Displaced bodies, weapons of action), Productions Totem Contemporain Babel Table (Three folk songs), and objects as varied as bearing balls, saucepans, and vibrators.
Jakob has been fortunate to closely work with artists including: ELISION (AU), Arditti Quartet (UK), International Contemporary Ensemble (US), Cikada (NO), Quatuor Tana (FR), Meitar Ensemble (IL), BRON (NL), eventuell.Duo (CH), panSonus (US), Amber Evans (US/AU), Australia’s Kupka’s Piano (with whom he is an associate artist), Syzygy Ensemble, Kurilpa String Quartet, The Song Company, Horsley & Williams Duo, Alex Raineri, Phoebe Green, Ben Opie, Callum G’Froerer, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, and the Queensland Philharmonia.
His works have been featured across the globe including: China (Shanghai New Music Week), Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, France (Festival de Royaymont), Austria (Impuls), Germany (Darmstadt), Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States, and throughout Australia (Metropolis New Music Week, Brisbane Festival).
Jakob has participated in composer development programmes such as the 49th Darmstadt Summer Course for New Music (DE), Impuls Academie (AT), Académie Voix Nouvelles Royaumont (FR), Bilkent Composition Academy (TR), International Masterclass Shanghai New Music Week (CN), the TSO Composers’ School, Ensemble Offspring’s Hatched Academy, Melbourne Arts Centre’s 5x5x5, Tilde Academy Festival, AYO’s National Music Camp, and has participated in workshops with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and The Australian Voices.
Jakob’s is currently undertaking his PhD under the supervision of Aaron Cassidy, Bryn Harrison, and Mary Bellamy at CeReNeM, University of Huddersfield, with the generous support of the Rae and Edith Bennett Travelling Scholarship and the Welsford Smithers Memorial Scholarship. He has previously studied at the University of Melbourne with Elliott Gyger and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with Gerard Brophy. He has been closely mentored by composer Liza Lim and had additional lessons with Enno Poppe, Simon Steen-Anderson, Wieland Hoban, Pierluigi Billone, Rebecca Saunders, Yann Robin, Samir Odeh-Tamimi, Philippe Hurel, Noriko Baba, and Mauro Lanza.
In 2022/23 Jakob is working with ELISION, Alex Raineri, the Zöllner-Roche Duo, and London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jakob Bragg 