HOARDING STORIES: MICHAEL NYMAN
Michael Nyman is a world-class composer born in Stratford in 1944.
Known globally for his talents, Nyman started his musical journey by studying at the Royal Academy of Music and completing his Ph.D at King’s College, London.
Nyman has produced influential operatic work that has been used by choreographers, filmmakers and orchestras around the world. He has composed for a number of well-loved operas including The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat (1986), Facing Goya (2000), and the critically acclaimed Man and Boy: Dada (2003).
He has also composed music for a number of the world's most distinguished choreographers including Siobhan Davies, Ashley Page, Lucinda Childs, Stephen Petronio, Karine Saporta and Shobana Jeyasingh.
Nyman may be best known for his work in film. He has composed music for films such as Michael Winterbottom’s Wonderland (starring Gina McKee) A Cock And Bull Story and The Trip (both starring Steven Coogan and Rob Brydon). His most loved piece is from Jane Campion’s The Piano (1993) has sold more than three million copies to date.
Michael Nyman has a strong connection to another of Stratford’s famous offspring: Alexander McQueen.
Nyman’s soundtrack to “The Piano” was reportedly one of McQueen’s favourite pieces of music to listen to. Long nights in the design studio were often accompanied by the powerful soundtrack, as confirmed by his friends and colleagues.
When directors Ian Bonhȏte and Peter Ettedgui started creating the documentary of the designer’s life, they only had one composer in mind. Music was sourced directly from Nyman and his own recording label, MN Records. The soundtrack was released on the same day as the film.
Currently Michael Nyman produces and experiments musically with his eponymous band, who operate a full touring schedule.