Skip to content Accessibility statement

New short film based on the music of York professor released

News

Posted on Thursday 23 September 2021

The music of a University of York professor features in a new short film which uses 20 well-known Yorkshire backdrops.
A still from the short film Quantaform
Quantaform sees musician James Wilson (pictured) perform in multiple stunning locations across Yorkshire and the Humber, including the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Photo credit: Martyn Butler

Quantaform showcases the award-winning music of Professor Ambrose Field, the Dean of the Faculty for the Arts and Humanities.

The film was produced by Screen Yorkshire and supported by National Lottery funding through Arts Council England and sees musician James Wilson perform in a number of stunning locations across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Rather than traditional concert halls, the locations include community spaces and non-traditional venues such as Harrogate Turkish Baths, Castle Howard and Bradford City Football Club. 

Each movement, written by Professor Field for solo flute, is intended to precisely match the acoustics of the site in which it is performed.

Groundbreaking initiative

The filmmaking teams were recruited via Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus programme, a groundbreaking initiative linking together TV and film professionals, production companies and broadcasters with students trying to break into this competitive industry.

Students from the Universities of York, York St John, Bradford, Hull and Leeds Trinity supported the production team during the five-day shoot.

Everyday space

Professor Ambrose Field said: "James Wilson presents my cycle of flute pieces, Quantaform, in this beautifully produced short film. As a collaboration between experienced directors and new filmmakers, this production explores how everyday space can become unique and special.

"The music is moulded to the specific acoustic qualities of its surroundings: in this case, not classical concert halls but local bars, football stadia, shopping precincts, climbing walls, aircraft hangars, rooftops and mundane domestic bathrooms. Wilson’s performance of this virtuoso score is top-notch, and the result is visually and aurally stunning."

Quantaform is available to watch on YouTube.

Explore more news

News

8 October 2026

Simple changes to pub environments can encourage drinkers to choose alcohol-free options without harming profits, according to new research.

News

8 October 2026

A new support programme can increase the number of patients who successfully self-regulate their intake of long-term strong-opioid painkillers without worsening quality of life, a study has shown.

News

5 October 2026

The University of York’s Cost of Living Research Group has looked at modern living standards across the city and revealed the extent of hidden pockets of poverty and inequality in one of the North’s most affluent cities.

News

1 October 2026

A new study has shown that faith leaders would be willing to partner on hypertension screenings and education, despite challenges of past health collaborations.

News

29 September 2026

Scores of students and staff welcomed Sir Kevin Sinfield to the University’s athletics track as part of his final endurance event to raise money for motor neurone disease charities.

Read more news