Composer Details

Philip Glass

Philip Glass’s eclectic musical career has been informed by a dizzying array of inspirations. Born in Baltimore where he worked in his father’s radio repair shop and listened to every type of music from Schubert to Elvis, Glass went to Paris to study with the legendary Nadia Boulanger and discovered a world of music beyond the West when transcribing the works of Ravi Shankar. He has collaborated with everyone from Doris Lessing to Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and Brian Eno to Paul Simon and has written more than 20 operas and innumerable concert works. Koyaanisqatsi (1982), considered the most radical and influential mating of sound and vision since Fantasia, marked the beginning of a glittering career in composing for film. From Martin Scorsese to Stephen Daldry, Glass has worked with some of the greatest directors of our time and his film music has garnered awards and critical acclaim at every turn.

‘The most powerful composer of our time... what Glass is doing is changing the face of music for our time and all time.’ Daily Telegraph

‘The best-known composer of art music in America, if not the world.’ Los Angeles Times

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Stoker (2012), They Were There (2011), O Apostolo (2010), Nosso Lar (2010), Kepler (2010), Mr Nice (2010), Les regrets (2009), Transcendent Man (2009), What are you Looking For? (2008), Objects and Memory (2008), Les animaux amoureux (2007), Repeat (2007), No Reservations (2007), Cassandra’s Dream (2007), Notes on a Scandal (2006 - Academy nomination), The Illusionist (2006), Neverwas (2005), Undertow (2004), Taking Lives (2004), Secret Window (2004), The Hours (2002 - BAFTA winner, Academy nomination, Golden Globe nomination, Grammy nomination), Naqoyqatsi (2002), The Truman Show (1998 - Golden Globe winner, ASCAP winner), Kundun (1997 - Academy nomination, Golden Globe nomination), The Secret Agent (1996), Candyman (1992), Anima Mundi (1992), The Thin Blue Line (1988), Powaqqatsi (1988), Hamburger Hill (1987), Mishima (1985 - Cannes winner), Koyaanisqatsi (1982) amongst countless others. Find the full list here