Prospero's Isle

Many composers have fallen under the spell of Shakespeare's The Tempest and I am sure that this will long continue to be the case. The mysterious power of music is referred to throughout the play - indeed, music is a tangible representation of Prospero's spells and charms. However, it was not exclusively the magical aspects of the play that attracted me, for The Tempest is also a study of power and mastery over people, events, even the very elements of nature. It is tempting as a composer to see parallels with the organisation and control over the elusive substance of music.

Prospero's Isle is a single movement work divided into four distinct sections whose tempi are slow - fast - slow - fast respectively. Thematic elements are shared and transformed throughout these sections. Perhaps the characters of Prospero, Miranda and Ariel are alluded to but this is rather in terms of their qualities than any narrative description. The work is dedicated to Gemma Rosefield.

Click a score sample below to view a larger version of the score...

Opening pages

Performance: Prospero’s Isle

Tuesday 30th January 2018, 7pm

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Tim Horton, piano | 22 Mansfield Street, London, W1G 9NR | More info

Works:  Prospero's Isle

American Premiere: Prospero’s Isle

Thursday 1st September 2016, 7.30pm

David Requiro, cello | Alexandra Nguyen, piano | Live stream from University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado, USA

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Thursday 1st May 2014, 7.30pm

Premiere of a new theatrical version with text from Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Matthew Sharp, cello | Clare Hammond, piano | Hall One, Kings Place, London

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Review: Prospero's Isle CD

Posted on: Saturday 15th September 2012

"Seldom does one hear new music that marries such daunting technical skill and virtuosic demands with so much ease and life-affirming joy"
Mark Lehmann, American Record Guide

View CD details and read full review...

Works:  Piano Quartet | Prospero's Isle | String Trio | Violin Sonata

Prospero's Isle - Guild releases composer portrait CD

Saturday 16th July 2011

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"The four works on this CD demonstrate beyond question the vital role tonal music has to play in today's culture and reflect the composer's close association with some of the most talented and celebrated international artists, many of whom gave the world premieres of these works.
This selection of James Francis Brown's exciting, visionary and emotionally rewarding chamber music is captured for the first time on this recording. This is a tour de force of contemporary virtuosity and lyrical intensity." Guild Web review

Works:  Piano Quartet | Prospero's Isle | String Trio | Violin Sonata

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Friday 29th October 2010, 8pm

Gemma Rosefiled, cello | Simon Lepper, piano | Atrix Theatre, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1PQ | Bromsgrove Concerts

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Sunday 20th September 2009

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Ashley Wass, piano | Holywell Room, Oxford

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Sunday 3rd May 2009

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Ashley Wass, piano | Holywell Room, Oxford

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Saturday 18th October 2008

Part of the Little Missenden Festival.

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Nicola Eimer, piano | Little Missenden Church

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Monday 7th January 2008

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Nicola Eimer, piano | Purcell Room, London

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Wednesday 14th March 2007

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Simon Lepper, piano | Leighton House, London

Works:  Prospero's Isle

Performance: Prospero's Isle

Friday 25th August 2006

Part of the Presteigne Festival.

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Nicola Eimer, piano | St Andrew's Church, Presteigne, Wales

Works:  Prospero's Isle

World Premiere: Prospero's Isle

Thursday 11th May 2006

Gemma Rosefield, cello | Gretel Dowdeswell, piano | St John-at-Hampstead Church, London

Works:  Prospero's Isle