Max Richter on Finding Inspiration, with Shahidha Bari
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Welcome to Intelligence Squad. Where great minds meet. I'm producer Mia Sorrenti. On today's episode, we're speaking to Max Richter, acclaimed composer and pianist whose work spans film, dance, opera, television, and more. Here, in conversation with critic and broadcaster Shaheed Abari, he discusses his life and work, what inspires him, his new studio in rural Oxfordshire, and his latest album, Inner Landscape. Let's join our host, Shahid Abari, with more.
Hello, welcome to Intelligence Squared. I'm Shah Hidabari. My guest today is Max Richter, the acclaimed composer. His ethereal evocative soundscapes enhance the screen and the stage in distinctiva ways, freighting the works they accompany with emotion. No wonder he's admired by directors like Denny Villeneuve and Ary Folman, for whose films he's composed memorable music. But his sound has also seeped into the heart of mainstream cinematic pop, too, exercising a deep influence. The epic sounds of Siegel Ross, or at times Radiohead could be described as Richter esque. And along the way, Max has worked with partners ranging from author Haruki Murakami to actor Tilda Swinton.
His latest album is called In a Landscape. It was recorded at his new studio built in rural Oxfordshire, and has been described as a fleeting self portrait of the musician. It follows more recent conceptual works such as the twenty fifteen Sleep. An eight and a half hour listening experience that extends to encompass a full night's rest, and twenty twenty one's Exiles, a ballet score about the refugee crisis. Most recently, Max has collaborated with choreographer Wayne McGregor to score and produce a theatre adaptation of Margaret Atwood's Mad Adam for the Royal Opera House.
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