Bushra El-Turk - Composer

Vocal/choral  

Voice(s) and piano  

The Nut Case of Songs (2006)  

- you’d better learn your alphabet, dear. Words by composer * 1' Listen

- tik tak (lebanese) based on children's poem by bishop gregoire haddad 3' Preview Listen

- les chevaux de bois. Based on poem by paul verlaine. 4' Listen

- la souris couine. Lack of words by composer. 4' Listen

- how to write your suicide note (2005) – a theatrical work for two voices and piano based in memory of dorothy parker. 6'  

- the kiss (2007) for voice and piano. 1' 

- off your boots (2008) for two voices and piano. c.3' unperformed

Fallout (2018) for mezzo-soprano and piano. Text by Cordelia Lynn

Crème Brûlée on a Tree for female voice and piano. Text by Andy Rickers. BBC Proms Commission. Buy Score Watch

 

Voice(s)and ensemble  (or Opera)

Woman at Point Zero (completed in April 2021) for two mezzo-soprano, accordion, sho, fujara, duduk, recorder, taegum, kamancha/qeychak, cello -  contact LOD Musiektheater  Premiered 10th July 2022 @Festival d'Aix

Silk Moth (2015) for soprano, ney, violin, cello, accordion. 25’ - Website

Mawwal (2012) – soprano/mezzo, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, harp, percussion (berio's folk songs line-up). 4' - Listen

That's the way to do it (2009) - a theatrical game for two voices and puppets for viola, clarinet, cello, piano. 4' - unperformed

Quadretti d’orchestra (2005) – a mini opera in one act. for 5 singers and ensemble. Based on poem by giulio cesare fantoni. Italian. 8'  

 

Voice(s) and orchestra  

Penso a te (2003) words by giulio cesare fantoni. Italian. 6'  

Guardami (2003) words by giulio cesare fantoni. Italian. 4'  

 

Choir  

L’ours réglisse et le sac a malice (2005) for SATB a cappella 8-part choir.  

Choir and ensemble 

Lisaniki (2014) for mixed choir and Middle-Eastern ensemble (Voice, Qanoun, Kemenche, Frame Drum). 8' Score Preview

 

Classical Orchestra /Large Orchestra 

Ka (2022) for Percussion solo and Strings (minimum 4-4-2-2-1)

The Incomplete Sky (2021) for Taegum solo and classical orchestra. Co-commission: Orchestre de Chambre de Paris/Opéra Orchestre National Montpelier) (2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/Timp/Strings) Watch extracts

Tuqus (2019) for multi-ability symphony orchestra. 9' - (Professionals, Grade 6, Grade 4 standard) Score Preview

Tmesis (2012/13) for symphony orchestra. 4'  (3.3.3.3/4.2.3.1/Timp +2/Pno dbl. Celeste/Harp/Strings)

Dramaticule iv (2012) for 28 western and Asian instruments. 6' Score Preview

Of laughter and forgetting (2012) for piano, middle-eastern instruments and symphony orchestra. 7'30"  Watch Preview

Mosaic (2010) – for classical orchestra. 8'  (2.2.2.2/2.2.2.0/Timp/Strings) Score Preview Buy Score  Listen

The elephant's tooth (a prologue) - (2008) for clarinet and wind orchestra. 3'30"  Listen

Le Fantôme de Rebecca Griffiths (2006) – for wind, brass and percussion. 5'   Listen

Burlesque (2005) – for symphony orchestra. 14'  

 

Large chamber / small orchestra (7+players)  

Murmurations (2014) for 15 players – sinfonietta ensemble. 9' Score Preview - Buy Score

Dramaticule iii (2011) for sho and 7 bowed string instruments of Western and Eastern traditions (erhu,  

Kamancha, kemence, sarangi, sho, single strings). 5'  Listen

Kilamuwa i of Zenjirli - (2007) for large ensemble (orkest de ereprijs line-up). 3'  

Qanoun concerto – (2004) for qanoun and sinfonietta ensemble  - unperformed

The Wolf (2010) - 2 voices, qanoun, panpipes, duduk, recorder, erhu, viola da gamba, double bass, percussion (see below)

 

Chamber (up to 6 players)  

New string quartet for Dudok Quartet (2024) - 15' - to be premiered at String Quartet Bienalle Festival, February 2024

Rostan, Rastan, Rast-garée for kamanche/qaychak and string quartet (2023)- 15'

Painting Secrets (2022) for string quartet - 5'

Saffron Dusk (2021) for string quartet - 7' Watch

Vane (2021) for kemanche, taegum and accordion - 10'30"

When Cut (2020) for Turkish violin, violin, viola, cello, piano - 7'

Zwareeb (2014) for violin, Chinese erhu and Azeri kamancha. 4' Watch

Mannequin losses (2013) for violin, cello, flute, clarinet, percussion, piano. 2'  Listen

Ain al-roummaneh (2006/10) for violin & piano or cello & piano or voice & piano. 5'  

Dramaticule ii (a nopera in 2 acts (2009), for cl,vc,pn. 7'  

Marionette (2008) for flute and piano. 6' Score Preview - Buy Score

Rapture (2008) for flute, violin and piano, 4'  

Metaphysical enemy (2007) for piano duo (4 hands, 1 piano) 10' Score Preview - Buy Score

Eating clouds (2006) for string quartet. 9'  Score Preview - Buy Score

Dramaticule 1 (2006) for piano duo (2 pianos, 4 hands). 4'  Score Preview - Buy Score

Ta’attalat loughatul kalami (2006) for female singing 'cellist and piano. 5'  Score Preview - Buy Score

Gothic games (2004) for violin, piano and piano-accordion. 5’30''  

Devil’s possession? (2002) for violin, cello and piano. 5'  

 

Solo  

Taqsim aala taqsim (2013) – solo cello. 6' Score Preview - Buy Score

Ostina-bush-to (2002) – solo piano, 1'  

 

Music for contemporary dance  

Peck the place theatre janurary 2007 (collaboration with choreographer aya jane saotome)  

Tender (r)age the place march 2006 (collaboration with choreographer aya jane saotome)  

 

Incidental Music for theatre  

Arab nights (dir. Poppy burton morgan) as part of metta theatre and soho theatre production 2012  

Twelfth night (dir. Christopher luscombe) guildhall theatre production october 2005  

Piece for soprano, piano & squeaking rubber duck guildhall composers concert march 2005  

I capture the castle (dir. Christian burgess) guildhall theatre production october 2004  

 

Music for art installation  

'tanit' - art installation in collaboration with the london sinfonietta and the central school of st martin's art and design, for viola solo (performed by miranda fulleylove)  

'1982' by lebanese artist aya haidar - for violin solo (performed by alda dizdari)  

 

Music for silent film  

The adventures of prince achmed – lottie reiniger (1926) – 65' live score for my ensemble: ney/percussion, oud, accordion/qanoun, 'cello and violin 

 

Music for inter-cultural ensemble (for sake of clarity, out of the above)

Large instrumentation

Of laughter and forgetting (2012) for piano, middle-eastern instruments and symphony orchestra. 7'30" 

Dramaticule iv (2012) for 28 western and non-western instruments. 6'  

Lisaniki (2014) for mixed choir and Middle-Eastern ensemble (Voice, Qanoun, Kemenche, Frame Drum). 8' 

Qanoun concerto – (2004) for qanoun and sinfonietta ensemble

 

Stage works

Woman at Point Zero (see above) - 60'

Silk Moth (2015) for soprano, ney, violin, cello, accordion. 25’ 

 

Small/Medium chamber works

Vane (2021) for kemanche, taegum and accordion - 10'30"

When Cut (2020) for Turkish violin, violin, viola, cello, piano - 7'

Zwareeb (2014) for violin, Chinese erhu and Azeri kamancha. 4' Watch

Dramaticule iii (2011) for sho and 7 bowed string instruments of Western and Eastern traditions (erhu,  

Kamancha, kemence, sarangi, sho, single strings). 5'  Listen

The Wolf - 2 voices, qanoun, panpipes, duduk, recorder, erhu, viola da gamba, double bass, percussion