James Dillon has been announced the composer-in-residence for this year’s Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

Four programmes including two world premieres will showcase work by the bold, expressive Scottish composer.

Internationally-acclaimed Dillon has created is regarded as some of the most inventive and thrillingly expressive music of our time.

He has a long association with Huddersfield and the festival – he lived and studied in the town and was one and was one of the first winners of HCMF’s Young Composer’s Award.

Over the years many of his important works have been premiered in Huddersfield including, most recently, his New York Triptych.

Graham McKenzie, HCMF’s artistic director, said: “We're thrilled to be presenting the world premiere of a major new concert-length work by James.”

Dillon’s music is showcased in four concerts during HCMF performed by some of Britain’s leading ensembles – London Sinfonietta, BBC Singers, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Arditti Quartet.

Dillon’s latest concert-length work, based on the Stabat Mater, receives its world premiere on November 23. It was co-commissioned by hcmf and BBC Radio 3 and was written especially for the London Sinfonietta and the BBC Singers with conductor Ilan Volkov.

Dillon’s combination of sonic immediacy and multi-layered complexity – his music is notoriously difficult to play – is said to create some of the richest experiences a listener can have in new music. The four concerts, together with a 40th Birthday concert by the Arditti Quartet, are on sale now.

Further programme details of the Festival will be announced at a later date.

The festival (HCMF) runs from November 21 to 30. Visit hcmf.co.uk for further information and to book tickets.