David Braid

Biography

David Braid, composer of some 262 works, including three symphonies, a viola concerto, and over 90 works involving guitar, has had his work performed internationally in Europe and the Americas and broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Steve Reich called his work 'Morning': "Real honest stuff".

Major UK performances include Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, King’s Place, Wilton’s Music Hall, 1901 Arts Club, among others.

David has some 50 recordings available on all platforms, mainly albums/EPs.

https://davidbraid.net/


WORK LIST

CHAMBER/ENSEMBLE

THREE OR MORE PLAYERS

Four Guitar Trios – three guitars (2024) Op. 187

The best of all possible worlds – alto flute, guitar, viola (2024) Op. 180

Two Trios – From Stillness to Movement & Simultaneous Concerns – alto flute, guitar, viola (2023), Op. 163

Four States – Consideration, Obsession, Introspection & Action – clarinet, vibraphone, guitar, viola (2023), Op. 160

Song of the Watchmakers – clarinet, vibraphone, guitar, viola (2023), Op. 161

A Little Electric Symphony  (chamber performance version) – flute, vibraphone, guitar, viola, cello  (2022), Op. 156a

Life Sketches – flute, vibraphone, guitar, viola, ‘cello, (2022), Op. 154a

Wind-up Kaleidescope, Every Single Day & Rondo in Rondo – arrangements for flute, vibraphone, guitar, viola, ‘cello, (2022), Op. 158a

Two Pieces for Quartet – clarinet, mandolin guitar, piano, (2020) Op. 96

Your Beating Heart – clarinet, guitar, electric guitar, piano, (2019), Op. 87

Quartet of Voices  clarinet, guitar, electric guitar/mandolin piano, (2019), Op. 86

Two Characters  clarinet, guitar, piano, (2019) Op. 79

Terminal Beach (version for trio) – clarinet, guitar, piano, (2019) Op. 73a

Symphony for Quartet  clarinet, guitar, electric guitar, piano, (2018) Op. 72

Three Glass Sculptures  clarinet, guitar, electric guitar/mandolin piano, (2017) Op. 60

Fugue for my Friends – clarinet, guitar, electric guitar, piano, (2017), Op. 60

Three Moments in a Life  string trio, (2020) Op. 94

Intermezzo for brass band – (2016) Op. 51

1st. String Quartet (2016) Op. 49a
 

Prelude and Fugue – clarinet, electric guitar (or viola)/piano, (2013) Op. 23

Sonata for Quartet – piano trio & clarinet, (2012) Op. 13

Music for Dancers – piano trio, (2009) Op. 9

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DUOS  (with guitar)

Two guitars

Two Little Fugues (2025), Op. 207 (two versions viola/guitar OR two guitars)

 

Violin and guitar

A Duo for a Moment (2025), Op. 209

3rd Book of violin & guitar duos, Op. 189:

The door into summer (2024)

Optimism, why not? (2024)

Urgently uncertain (2024)

As soon as now (2024)

Five moments of lived experience (2024), Op. 180

Concise Introspective Dance

Farewell to the past

From within the in-between

Subito 

Towards the Light 
 

Three Absolute Pieces (2023) Op. 170

From Dance to Fugue (2017) Op. 55

Perpetual Pavan (version for violin/guitar), (2016) Op. 17c

Viola and Guitar
 

Two Little Fugues (2025), Op. 207 (two versions viola/guitar OR two guitars)

Out of Shadow (2025), Op. 205

For Better Times (2025), Op. 204

Fantasticals (2025), Op. 203
 

Four Chromatic Duos (2025), Op. 202

Here, there & here

Syncomatic Love Song

Meditation I

Meditation II
 

Six Duos for viola and guitar (2025), Op. 197

Year’s end 

New Year

Pause-Return

Moment

To New Life

Arrival
 

Fleeting dances (2021), Op. 141a

Automatic rondo waltz (2020), Op. 114a

It’s Closer and Later than You Think (2022), Op. 158

Quietly Touch (2020), Op. 108

A Brief Question (2020), Op. 100

Brief Insistence (2020), Op, 98

Continuous Song (guitar or piano), (2017) Op. 57

Invocation and Continuum (version for viola/guitar), (2014) Op. 38a

Flute and guitar

Invocation and Continuum (2014) Op. 38

Perpetual Pavan (version for alto flute/guitar), (2016) Op. 17b

Clarinet and guitar

Four Imaginary Works, (2025) Op. 201

Resolution

Travelling Lines

Second Look

The Fourth Colour
 

Three Memory Prints (2024) Op. 190

Innocence

Awareness

Reflection
 

Overture to your Dream  clarinet & guitar, (2013) Op. 24

Mandolin and guitar

Every single day (2021), Op. 152

Clockwork radio love song (2021), Op. 151

Rondo in rondo (2021), Op. 149

Reflections (2021), Op. 148

Transience (2021), Op. 145

Wind-up kaleidescopes (4 pieces), (2021), Op. 142

A dream, driven (2020), Op. 115

Insistence (2020),  Op. 96

Perpetual Pavan (version for mandolin/guitar), (2016) Op. 17d

Invocation and Continuum (version for mandolin/guitar), (2014) Op. 38a

Secret almost-waltz (2020), Op. 121

A dream, driven (2020), Op. 115

Automatic rondo waltz (version for mandolin/guitar), (2020), Op. 114a

A Brief Question (version for mandolin/guitar), (2020), Op. 100

Bassoon and guitar

From Then to Now (2024) Op. 183

Momentary Interlude (2024) Op. 182

Impetuous lines (2024) Op. 181

Suspended-Extended (2024) Op. 174

Murmuring Dance Moves (2024) Op. 175

French horn and guitar

Three duos for horn and guitar (2024), Op. 184-6

Suspended, Op. 184

Sanguine, Op. 185

Quietude, Op. 186
 

Guitar plus unspecified instrument

Two duos (2019)

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DUOS (with piano)

Violin and piano

Suite of Characters (2023) Op. 167

Dreamer

Hesitant Dancer

Constance

Still Life/Transfigured Life (2023) Op. 165

Perpetual Pavan – version for violin & piano – (2013) Op. 17a

Invention (2010) Op. 11

Viola and piano

Four Duos for when the World Momentarily Stops Turning:

Simple Song (2024)

Stop the World; I want to get off (2024) Op. 176

Always at the Back of Your Mind (2024) Op. 172

Outside of all Possible Time (2023) Op. 169

Clarinet and piano

Invocation & Fugue – clarinet & piano, (2012), Op. 36

Trombone and piano

Northern Song (2024) Op. 188

Vibraphone and piano

Four Silver Lines  vibraphone & piano, (2016) Op. 53

Mandolin and viola

Fleeting dances (2021), Op. 141

Three inventions for two players (2021), Op. 136

Three fugues for two (2021), Op. 132

For Crotchet (2021), Op. 130

Press pause (2020), Op. 125

Tryst (2020), Op. 123

Rain (2020), Op. 118

Automatic rondo waltz (2020), Op. 114

Two glass sculptures – (mandolin doubling guitar), (2020), Op. 112

A glass sculpture (2020), Op. 112a

One fine day (2020), Op. 111

Song and Dance (2020), Op109

Nano-clockwork poem (2020), Op. 107

Two Lines Drawn in Silk (2020), Op. 104

OTHER VARIOUS DUOS

Three Duos for Oboe & Vibraphone: Never a Day Repeats, Reflection, Arrival, (2023) Op. 162

Rendevouz Rondo – Baroque violin & 8-c Renaissance lute, (2014) Op. 32

Perpetual Pavan Baroque violin & 8c Renaissance lute, (2012) Op. 17

Perpetual Pavan version for alto flute & piano, (2016) Op. 17d

Infinite Reminiscence – 2 pianos or four hands, (2007) Op. 4

Returns and Retorts – ‘cello & piano, (2001) Op. 1

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VOCAL

ONE VOICE

Soprano

Soprano & mandolin – 17 songs

Eyes to wonder (text: Shakespeare), (2021), Op. 147

How many crossings? (text: DBraid), (2021), Op. 143

Your true image (text: Shakespeare), (2021), Op. 139

Animals (text: DBraid), (2021), Op. 128

Time travel (text: DBraid), (2021), Op. 133

The mermaid (W.B. Yeats), (2021), Op. 127a

Guarded by ormes (text: DBraid), (2021), Op. 138

Bungalows by the sea (text: DBraid), (2021), Op. 135

The Trees (text: P. Larkin), (2020), Op. 124

Tonight I can write (text: Neruda), (2020), Op. 120

Sainte (text: S. Mallarme), (mandolin version, 2021), Op. 113a

Santiago (text: Lorca), (mandolin version, 2021)

Five Songs (text: Shakespeare (sonnets)), (2020), Op. 97

Soprano & guitar – 22 songs

Second Book of Songs (6 songs) (texts: R.S. Thomas, Liao Chung-K’ai, Lorca, Ho Hsiang-ning) (2018), Op. 72

In Time to Come (text: Shakespeare) (2017), Op. 62

That Time of Year (text: Shakespeare) (2017), Op. 61

Songs of Contrasting Subjects (5 songs) (texts: Shakespeare, John Bunyan) (2015), Op. 47

One Year Lighter  (5 songs) (text: Ewa Sonnenberg, Polish or English), (2007), Op. 6

Soprano, viola & mandolin – 9 songs

The Mermaid (text: W. B. Yeats), (2020), Op. 127

Sainte (text: S. Mallarme), (2020), Op. 113

So am I as the rich (Shakespeare), (2020), Op. 117- 2

When I do count the clock (Shakespeare) (2020), Op. 117 – 1

Interference (text: Frank Newsum), (mandolin version, 2021), Op. 110a

Ignorance (text: Philip Larkin), (2020), Op. 107

Tracing a face (text: Philip Larkin), (2020), Op. 106

Days (text: Philip Larkin), (2020), Op. 101

Instead, bereft – mandolin version – (text: Philip Larkin), (2020), Op. 103a

Soprano, viola & guitar – 5 songs

Sainte (text: S. Mallarme), (2020), Op. 113

Interference (text: Frank Newsum) (2020), Op. 110

Instead, bereft – guitar version – (text: Philip Larkin), (2020), Op. 103

Love Songs in Age (text: Philip Larkin), (2020), Op. 99

Soprano, clarinet & guitar

Light without shadows (text: R.S. Thomas) (non-piano version, 2020), 68a

Soprano & string quartet

Child (text: Sylvia Plath) (2015), Op. 41

Morning (text: Pablo Neruda) (2006) Op. 3

Soprano & piano

Encounter (text: Leo Tolstoy) (2008) Op. 7

Soprano & lute (8-course)

Four songs (text: David Braid) (2013) Op. 20

Soprano & mixed ensemble

Appearances (text: David Braid): soprano, flute, vibraphone, guitar, viola, ‘cello. Op. 155

Journey Time (text: David Braid) – (evening-long work): soprano, mandolin, viola, guitar, sound design. Op. 153

Fallen to dust (text: Requiescat by O. Wilde) – soprano, clarinet, harp, viols.

Mezzo-soprano

Mezzo-soprano & guitar

Songs of Opposing Considerations  (4 songs) (texts: David Braid) (2022), Op. 157

Mezzo-soprano, viola & guitar

Songs of Escape (text, D. Braid), (2025), Op. 198

Shine’s not lost on me

Instrumental interlude

Singular Moments

So is it not with me (text: Shakespeare), (2017), Op. 64a (viola version)

Mezzo-soprano, trumpet & guitar

Four Songs of Introspection (text, David Braid), (2025), Op. 208

Mezzo-soprano, clarinet & guitar

Songs of Change (text: D Braid) (2025), Op. 199

Change is All

Interlude I

No to Change

Interlude II

Interlude III

Reversion is Change

So is it not with me (text: Shakespeare), (2017), Op. 64

Not from the stars (text: Shakespeare), (2017)

Mezzo-soprano, guitar & piano

Upon Silver Trees (text: Walter de la Mare), (2014), Op. 34

Mezzo-soprano, clarinet, piano, guitar

Light without shadows (text: R.S. Thomas), (2018), Op. 68

The fugue of Art (text: R.S. Thomas), (2018), Op. 67

Touch (text: Thom Gunn), (2019)

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CHORAL

O Sapienta (for Chapelle du Roi) – Four-part, a cappella setting, (2014) Op. 37

Alma Redemptoris Mater (text: Hermannus Contractus (Herman the Cripple, 1013–1054), 4-part a cappella choir, (2012) Op. 16

Agnus Dei (text: Liturgical; 8-part a cappella choir, (2004) Op. 2

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ORCHESTRAL

Viola Concerto: solo viola, 2.2.2.2; 4.2.3.1; timp; harp/piano; strings, (2019), Op. 83

3rd. Symphony: 2.2.2.2; 2.2.2.1; timp; harp; vibr; strings, (2016) Op. 54

2nd. Symphony: 2.2.2.2; 4.2.3.1; timp; 8.6.5.4.3, (2016) Op. 52

1st. Symphony: 2.2.2.2; 2.2.1.1; 8.6.5.4.3, (2016) Op. 50

Out of the Darkness – string orchestra, (2016) Op. 49

Morning – version for string orchestra, text: Pablo Neruda, (2010), Op. 3a

Returns and Retorts – version for chamber orchestra, (2004), Op. 1a

Score for an Imaginary Film – string orchestra,  (2018) Op. 48

Fugue for strings  string orchestra, (2008, rev. 2018), Op. 48a

Yesterday, like you and me  children’s choir, 2 ob. 2 cr, timp, strings, (2017), Op. 63

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SOLO INSTRUMENTAL

SOLO GUITAR

Four Miniatures (2025), Op. 196

Two brief solos (2025), Op. 200

Five Preludes (2024), Op 193

Four States of Being (2023), Op. 166

April Improvisation (electric guitar) (2019), Op. 80

Microprelude ‘in one breath’ (2017) Op. 65

7-note Invention (2017) Op. 58

Far away next to me (classical or archtop/electric) guitar, (2015) Op. 46

Wordless Song (classical or archtop/electric) guitar, (2015) Op. 45

Invention (classical or archtop/electric) guitar, (2015) Op. 44

For Alex (classical or archtop/electric) guitar,  (2015) Op. 43

Five Intimate Pieces  (archtop/electric) guitar, (2013-14) Op. 21:

Strings in Blue (electric or classical – 2 versions) guitar, (2018) Op. 75

Rondo for Tomorrow (electric) guitar, (2018) Op. 74

SOLO PIANO

1st. Piano Sonata (2012) Op. 14

2nd. Piano Sonata (2012) Op. 15

Postlude (2010) Op. 10

Three Pieces (2008) Op. 8

SOLO LUTE (8-course Renaissance)

Two-part Invention (2014) Op. 40

Return to Wonderland (2014) Op. 35

A Subtle String to Touch (2014) Op. 27

All Things Consequent (2014) Op. 30

Birthday Song (2014) Op. 31

SOLO MANDOLIN

Seven bright ideas (2023), Op. 158

Pocket symphony (2021), Op. 146

Cantabile (2021), Op. 140

The temptation to exist (2021), Op. 137

Stop all the clocks (2021), Op. 134

Conversation & Reflective dance (2021), Op. 131

Mirrors (2020), Op. 122

Uncertainty (2020), Op. 124

Quiet dance (2020), Op. 119

Coloratura (2020), Op. 116

Two Cadenzas (2020), Op. 105

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AUTO-WORK SERIES
(all instruments/samples played/programmed, recorded, edited, mastered by myself)

Carito’s Evening Song – electric guitar, string samples, (2023), Op. 168

A Direction Sought – electric guitars, organ, samples, mandolin, (2022), Op. 167

A Little Electric Symphony – bassoon, trumpet, tuba, vibraphone, mandolin, electric guitar, archtop guitar, classical guitar, organ solo viola, viola section, (2022), Op. 156

September Improvisation – 7 electric guitars (2019), Op. 90

Terminal Beach – after J.G.Ballard, (2018), Op. 73 – electric guitars (played normally & bowed), classical guitar, acoustic archtop guitar, piano, mandolin, accordion, clarinet, oboe, strings.

Radio Love Song – three electric guitars, (2018), Op. 77

Cinematic Memories – three electric guitars, mandolin, piano, strings, (2019,) Op. 78

Strings in the Void – two electric guitars, dur: (2019), Op. 88

Imaginary Circus – two electric guitars, archtop guitar, acoustic guitar, horn, trumpet, strings, organ, piano, dur: (2019), Op. 79

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FILM SCORES

Blask (lustre) – animated film (2010)

Compartment – live action film (2006)