Timing is everything.
Anna Hirst Friedman is a Composer & Producer focusing on themes of nature, motherhood and conflict.
Chamber Ensemble
48 Colours of the Full Moon
Red. Kama (2023) 6'
Flute, clarinet, vibraphone, violin, cello
Moon of Desire
The eclipsed moon is a mysterious entity. There was a time when it was thought to represent all that is inauspiciousness, a time in the cycle where the moon was devoured by demons. The Red Moon is the one that reveals to us our deepest most private desires. When our desires are fulfilled, our hearts have their fill of red.
Silver. Avidya (2023) 6'
Flute, Bass Clarinet, Marimba, Large Gong, Cymbal, Triangle, Wood Blocks, Wind Chimes, Violin, Cello
Moon of Ignorance
The middle of the night is a time of deep sleep. We are embraced by the dark. It is said that at this time, the night creatures of our mind pay us a visit. There is no way our conscious mind can grasp or comprehend the absurdity of late night games. But one thing is certain - the shimmering light of the silver moon likes to shine on our allusive minds. Our subconscious has no choice but to come and play.
Ninio's Journey
String Quartet
Undulating Forces (2023)
Movement I
Movement II
The Eyes of a Child in Times of War (2023)
Vocal Ensemble
MADRE (2024)
The First Seven Poems
Poetry & artwork by Jessica Chapnik Kahn
MADRE is a very personal exploration of the mysterious unfolding of becoming a mother. This raw collection of poems and drawings honour the mystical process of creation, transformation and expansion. They are never far from the grief inherent in joy, as well as the inseparable nature of birth and death.
Love Quashes the Flesh
(MIDI version only)
Poetry by Jessica Chapnik Kahn
Premiering May 8th 2025
Agnus Dei
(MIDI version only)
Poetry by Jessica Chapnik Kahn
Premiering May 8th 2025
Orchestra
The Birthing
(MIDI version only)
Open for performance opportunities
Bio
Anna Hirst Friedman is an Australian composer who completed her composition degree in Sydney before relocating to the UK, where she immersed herself in Hindustani music and composition. She studied classical tabla intensively with Benares Gharana and toured internationally with the Middle Eastern band Rivers of Babylon. In recent years, Anna has returned to composing, creating a diverse body of work across orchestra, string quartet, chamber ensemble, and vocal music.
In 2024, Anna won the portrait composition prize for the acclaimed classical group Notturno, known for their specialization in traditional instruments. The commissioned work was premiered in June 2024, further fueling her creative growth. Among her new compositions that year were The Eyes of a Child in Times of War, a string quartet, and Amidah: A Silent Prayer, a song cycle for tenor and piano.
The year 2025 marks an exciting period for Anna, with four performances scheduled and two grants awarded. Amidah: A Silent Prayer premiered in March at the Goethe Institute. Inspired by Jessica Chapnik Kahn’s poetry book MADRE, Anna created choral arrangements for several poems, which premiered in May 2025 at Sydney’s Poetica, as well as being performed at TEDx Sydney. More recently Anna was a finalist for the Nexas inaugural saxophone competition. She plans to have this worked performed in 2026.
Anna and Jessica have now embarked on their first collaboration with their commissioned work The Fire Always Says Yes, set to debut at the Sydney Opera House in October 2025. The piece will be performed by the acclaimed Hourglass Ensemble, marking a significant milestone in Anna’s growing presence in the classical music world.
List of works
Chamber Ensemble
48 Colours of the Full Moon Red.Kama & Silver. Avidya
Marimba, Vibraphone, Cello, Violin, Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, hand percussion
Nino's Journey
Traditional Flute, Viola, Guitar
Re-transcribed for Piano, Violin, Flute
Song Cycle
The Fire Always Says Yes
Soprano, Piano, Harp, Cello, French Horn, Clarinet, Flute, Castanets, Snare Drum, Tubular Bells
- The Fire Always Says Yes
- I Came To The Fire
- How is Your Fire?
- Real Hearts
- When The Fire Goes Out
Amidah A Silent Prayer
Tenor, Piano & Violin
- A Silent Prayer
- If not now, when?
- 12 Names
- The Six Remembered
- A Lullaby of Grief
- Have No Say
- The Massacre
- Where Will We Go?
- Shattering,The Broken Shards
- Reimagine
Afterwork
- Shiri
- Challenged, Complicated, Compromised
- 60 Days
Love Quashes The Flesh
Solo Soprano & String Quartet
Vocal Ensemble
- MADREThe First Seven Poems
- Love Quashes The Flesh
- A Burning Bush
- Agnus Dei
String Quartet
- Undulating Forces Movement I. II
- The Eyes of a Child in Times of War
Saxophone Quartet
The Art of the Scott Sisters
- Transformations
- The scent of native flowers
- Butterflies and Moths
- Ash Island
Orchestral
- The Birthing