Nathaniel Otley

Composer, Performer

Nathaniel Otley

Nathaniel Otley is a composer, violinist and conductor from Ōtepoti Dunedin. His work investigates avenues for ecological thinking in compositional practice, using ideas of vulnerable engagement and instrumental affordance to explore dynamic, constantly evolving textures and timbres. His compositions have been performed and workshopped in New Zealand, Australia, France, Japan and the United States. He was the 2023 New Zealand National Youth Orchestra Composer in Residence and has several upcoming new works for Australia’s ELISION ensemble and France’s Semblance Ensemble. Nathaniel has undertaken studies at both Otago and Sydney universities with composition teachers including Liza Lim, Anthony Ritchie, Ben Carey, and Peter Adams.

A selection of recent pieces can be found below. For all other works please see the works page on this website.

“the convergence of oceans” (2022) for orchestra. Performed by the 2023 New Zealand National Youth Orchestra conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero. This work has recently been announced as the winner of the 2024 SOUNZ Contemporary Award.

Mycelium (2022) for mixed ensemble. Performed by Marie Ythier and ICTUS as part of the 2022 Royaumont Voix Nouvelles Academy

Detritus (2022) for orchestra. Performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ben Northey as part of the 2022 SOUNZ NZ composer sessions.

drawing together, apart (2021) for Orchestra. Performed by Orchestra Wellington

Convection (2020) for Flute and Tenor Recorder. Performed by Yoshie Ueno and Tosiya Suzuki