Gavin Bryars, born in 1943, studied philosophy but became a jazz bassist and pioneer of free improvisation with Derek Bailey and Tony Oxley. Early iconic pieces The Sinking of the Titanic and Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet achieved great popular success.

Works include five operas, a large body of chamber music, several concertos and much vocal music (Hilliard Ensemble, Trio Mediaeval, Red Byrd, Latvian Radio Choir, Estonian National Male Choir, Iarla O'Lionaird, Singer Pur, The Crossing).

He has collaborated widely with visual artists (e.g. Juan Muñoz, Bruce McLean), choreographers (e.g. William Forsythe, Merce Cunningham, Edouard Lock, David Dawson, Carolyn Carlson), and theatre directors (e.g. Robert Wilson, Atom Egoyan).

Highlights of the 17/18 season include the German premiere and tour of his ballet The Seasons with choreographer Edouard Lock, a revival of his 2014 ballet Peer Gynt with choreographer Gregor Zollig, and the European premiere of his chamber opera Marilyn Forever at the Volksoper Wien

New commissions include a two-part ballet on Orpheus for Ballet Vlaanderen and Requiem, a large-scale ballet for the Dutch National Ballet  to be premiered in 2019.

Since 1986 he has performed, toured and recorded with the Gavin Bryars Ensemble. He has made many recordings for ECM, Point, Philips, Naxos, Decca, and his own label GB Records.

www.gavinbryars.com

Photo: Gautier Deblonde

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