Composer Details

 

As one of Britain's most innovative and celebrated composers, Michael Nyman's work encompasses operas and string quartets, film soundtracks and orchestral concertos. Far more than a composer, he's also a performer, conductor, bandleader, pianist, author, musicologist and now a photographer and filmmaker. Although he's far too modest to allow the description “Renaissance Man,” his restless creativity and multi-faceted art has made him one of the most fascinating and influential cultural icons of our times.

 

For more than 30 years, he has also enjoyed a highly successful career as a film composer; film soundtracks The Draughtsman's Contract and The Piano (the soundtrack album of which has sold more than three million copies) are the best known. Since founding the Michael Nyman Band in 1977, which tours the world, he has worked with leading film directors and has collaborated with artists such as Mary Kelly, Damon Albarn, Carsten Nicolai and the recent Oscar winning Man on Wire star Phillippe Petit. An exhibition of his photographs and video works was recently shown at the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill and more exhibitions are planned. His music is available via an extensive range of recordings on his own label, MN Records.