Max Richter

Composer Max Richter was born in Germany in 1966 and grew up in the UK. He studied composition and piano at Edinburgh University, the Royal Academy of Music and in Florence with Luciano Berio. Though he has a strong background in the canons of classical music, his influences were more modern composers and in particular, Iannis Xenakis whose musical compositions applied mathematical and physical laws and Philip Glass whose sound was a major influence on Richter. His influences also include rock bands The Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Clash, as well as electronic music groups Kraftwerk and Autechre.

After finishing his studies, he co-founded Piano Circus, a contemporary classical ensemble, where he stayed for ten years. With the ensemble, he commissioned and performed the works of experimental artists like Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt, Brian Eno and Julia Wolfe. Piano Circus’s performances incorporated found sounds and video, allowing Richter to integrate his love of sampling and electronics. After he left, he became involved in the UK’s thriving electronic scene, collaborating with The Future Sound of London and Roni Size.

He has released four solo albums: Memoryhouse (2002), Blue Notebooks (2004), Songs From Before (2006), and latest, 24 Postcards in Full Colour (2008), a collection of miniatures meant to be used as ringtones. Recently he has scored the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed film Waltz with Bashir by Ari Folman as well as INFRA, Max’s new score for The Royal Ballet, made with choreographer Wayne Macgregor and fine artist Julian Opie. He has also produced the score for the short animated film Lost and Found based upon the children’s book by Oliver Jeffers.