John Frederick Hudson is an American composer, conductor and pianist living in London, UK.

Hudson is a versatile artist whose passion shines as a composer, pianist, and conductor. He blends innovation with tradition through evocative music-making and inspired leadership.

Opera

Demimondaine · 45’
A Chamber Opera in One Act
Libretto by James Kenon Mitchell
2016

4 singers: mezzo-soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone
1 dancer
13 players: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, percussion (2), piano, violin I, violin II, viola, cello, double bass

Orchestral

Wild Earth Blazing · 42’
Libretto by Esme Lloyd
2024 · Commissioned by JAM (John Armitage Memorial Trust)
Tenor solo, Horn solo, String Orchestra, Piano, Percussion
Premiered by Mark Padre CBE (tenor), Ben Goldscheider (horn), The London Mozart Players, Simon Blendis (leader), Anna Tilbrook (piano), Owen Gunnell (percussion), conducted by Nicholas Cleobury.

Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra
· 30’
2018 · Commissioned by Aberdeen Sinfonietta
Premiered by the Aberdeen Sinfonietta, Dr Drew Andreatta (percussion), conducted by John Frederick Hudson. To
Apollon "Achilles" Haygood (1985-2018).

God Save the Queen · 4'
The Braemar Arrangement
2018 · Presented as a gift to His Royal Highness, Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay on the occasion of his 70th Birthday.
4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in Bb, Timpani, Strings, Percussion (Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Gran casa)

Chamber Music

Verdigris Motion · 7'
2025 · Commissioned by Edward and Sarah Armitage for Patrick
bass trombone + piano

3 Etudes for Guitar
· 8'
I. Appassionata
II. Molto espressivo
III. Rhythmico
2011

Trio in G · 12’
2011
violin, cello, piano

they were dreamers… · 4’
2018
solo marimba

Choral

(large-scale)

Epitaphs of War 30’
2018, revised 2024
SATB divisi, piano four-hands
Based on text by Rudyard Kipling & Siegfried Sassoon
Commissioned by Con Anima Chamber Choir

Vita Nuova 10’
2019, revised 2023
Text by Oscar Wilde
SATB divisi, chamber orchestra
Commissioned by the Delaware Choral Scholars for the Aix-en-Provence festival, Paul Head (conductor)

Choral

I Sing the Body Electric 5’ 30”
Text by Walt Whitman 2024
SATB divisi, piano four-hands
Commissioned by the Delaware Choral Scholars and Dr Paul Head (conductor) for the World Choral Games, Auckland NZ

This Was My Dream 6’
Text by Walt Whitman
2023
SATB divisi, piano, crotales
Commissioned by the students and friends of Dr. Paul D. Head, in honor of his 25th year at the University of Delaware and in appreciation of his mentorship, passion, and humanity.

I Died for Beauty 7’
Text by Emily Dickinson
2022
Commissioned by Dr Anna Lenti, visiting director for Chorale Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

Amazing Grace 4’
2021
SATB unaccompanied

How Can I Keep from Singing 4’
2018
SATB unaccompanied

Newtown Psalm 4’
2013
SATB, soprano solo, piano
for the Westminster Schola Cantorum and James Jordan, conductor

John Frederick Hudson and Cyrill Ibrahim performing Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and a piece by Royal composer, Paul Mealor.
John Frederick Hudson conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and soprano Julieth Lozano.
John Frederick Hudson is an American composer, conductor and pianist living in London, UK.
John Frederick Hudson conducting Brahms Requiem with Soprano Judith Howarth and orchestra in St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen.
John Frederick Hudson conducting Brahms Requiem with Soprano Judith Howarth and orchestra in St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen.
John Frederick Hudson conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) at the 30th birthday celebration of Classic FM with King Charles present in the audience.
John Frederick Hudson is an American composer, conductor and pianist living in London, UK.