We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings,
we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the website. Learn more about out privacy policy

Close

08 - 28/06/2015

photo: Anne Deniau
Galleryphoto: Anne Deniau
  • Michael Nyman Band
    free concert at Lake Malta (Meta)

    In 1995, when Michael Nyman visited the Malta Festival for the first time, his only regret was that his concert had not been staged in the settings of Lake Malta. Two decades later, the British composer’s and pianist’s wish is about to come true. On 27 June, Michael Nyman and his band will give a Malta Festival performance at Lake Malta. The concert will be a symbolic journey to the beginnings of the Malta Festival Poznań, and also, a unique opportunity to hear the writer of soundtracks to Peter Greenaway films and to Jane Campion’s The Piano perform some of his film compositions live. Admission to the headline music event of the 25th anniversary edition of the Malta Festival Poznań will be free.

    Michael Nyman has won widespread acclaim owing to his melodious and moving film scores. His soundtrack for the Academy Award-winning The Piano (1993), directed by Jane Campion, sold over three million records, and earned the composer several nominations and accolades, for instance a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award. As a film score composer, Michael Nyman has worked with artists like Peter Greenaway and the Polish director Dorota Kędzierzawska. The soundtrack to the latter’s Jestem [I Am] (2005) won a Golden Lions Award at the Gdynia Film Festival.

    Michael Nyman has often stated in interviews that he enjoys performing in Poland to which he has sentimental and familial ties. His Jewish grandparents hailed from Częstochowa, and immigrated to the United Kingdom in the early 20th century. Despite the fact that none of the composer’s ancestors played any music, he began showing an affinity towards it from an early age. He completed his studies at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music and King’s College London as an expert in baroque music. Nonetheless, he abandoned his promising composer’s career for a number of years to become one of the world’s most influential and accomplished music critics. In his reviews, Nyman the critic focused on new music and the experimental scene. Published in the 1970s, his book Experimental Music: Cage and Beyond, dedicated to the works of John Cage, Phillip Glass and Steve Reich, is a milestone among books on contemporary music.
    In the second half of the 1970s, Steve Reich, one of the pioneers of the American minimal music, talked Michael Nyman into composing again. Shortly afterwards, Nyman gained renown as one of the most original musicians of the time, whilst his orchestral and chamber works, as well as his operas and piano compositions were performed at major venues across the world. Nyman soon discovered his own artistic pathway in a unique combination of his fascination with baroque and the impact of minimalism.

    The British musician has enjoyed a long-standing friendship with Brian Eno and Damon Albarn. With the latter, he composed the soundtrack for the horror film Ravenous (1999). In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Warwick, and in 2008, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Michael Nyman does not limit his artistic work to music alone, but has also been involved in successful filmmaking and photographic projects.

    Join on FB!

  • Michael Nyman

    Michael Nyman (1944) is a British composer, pianist and music critic. He created music to the majority of Peter Greenaway’s films and his album with the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning The Piano, directed by Jane Campion, sold in over 3 million pieces globally and won the composer a number of awards and nominations, including to the Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA. The artist graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, specialising in baroque music. In the 1970s, he took a break in his career as a composer for a dozen or so years and started to review experimental music. His Experimental Music devoted to the works of John Cage, Phillip Glass and Steve Reich is a milestone among the books about contemporary music. The influence of minimalism together with the fascination with the baroque can be heard in Nyman’s works until today.

    Michael Nyman visited Malta Festival Poznań for the first time in 1995. He wished back then that his concert took place in the setting of Lake Malta. After 20 years his wish will come true. In June 2015 he will perform at Malta festival by Lake Malta. The concert will be not only a sentimental journey to the beginnings of Malta Festival Poznań, but also a great opportunity to listen live to Nyman’s orchestra and chamber works, including his famous film compositions.