Michel van der Aa

Short bio Michel van der Aa

Birthday: 1970

Full biography Michel van der Aa

Michel van der Aa is a Dutch composer known for his unique approach to classical music composition. Born in 1970, Van der Aa combines his skills in composition with film and stage direction , script writing, and electronic sound. He is a "house composer" for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and has won numerous awards for his work , including the prestigious Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition in 2013.

Van der Aa's works include classical instruments, voices, electronic sound, and actors. He has written for various mediums, including opera, ensemble, indie-pop albums, and digital interactive works. His oeuvre features distinct visual elements, and his iconic style of multimedia composition often combines film and music, resulting in a unique sensory experience.

Some of Van der Aa's notable works include "Writing to Vermeer" (1999), an opera by Louis Andriessen and Peter Greenaway , and "Blank Out" (2023), a compact and tech-driven new chamber opera that explores themes of memory and loss. The latter has received rave reviews for its use of paired video and live performance, creating a surreal and immersive experience for the audience.

In addition to composing, Van der Aa has directed several of his own productions and films, such as "Upload" (2021), a dystopian opera film that explores the relationship between technology and humanity. He continues to push the boundaries of classical music composition and multimedia performance, garnering acclaim and recognition for his innovative approach to the art form.

Albums featuring Michel van der Aa

#	Name album	Year	Music label
1	Michel van der Aa Feat. Kate Miller-Heidke – Time Falling	2020	Disquiet Media
2	Violin Concerto / Hysteresis(CD, Album)	2016	Disquiet Media
3	Detlev Glanert, Michel van der Aa, Luc Brewaeys, Louis Andriessen - Janine Jansen, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Xian Zhang, Vladimir Jurowski, David Robertson (5), Otto Tausk, Mariss Jansons – Horizon 6: Frenesia; Violin Concerto; Symphony No. 6; Along	2015	RCO Live
4	Michel van der Aa, Barbara Hannigan – One(DVD, DVD-Video, PAL)	2011	Disquiet Media
5	Michel van der Aa, Sol Gabetta – Up-Close(DVD, DVD-Video)	2011	Disquiet Media
6	Here Trilogy	2010	Disquiet Records
7	Spaces Of Blank; Mask; Imprint(CD, Album)	2010	Disquiet Media
8	Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra – Michel van der Aa • Otto Ketting • Tristan Keuris • Sofiya Gubaydulina • Mayke Nas – Horizon 3: Recordings From The 2008-2009 Season(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel)	2010	RCO Live
9	Andreas Dohmen, Rebecca Saunders, Michel van der Aa, Pierluigi Billone – Donaueschinger Musiktage 2004(CD, )	2005	Col Legno
10	Above • Between • Attach • Just Before • Auburn • Oog(2×CD, )	2001	Composers' Voice
11	Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra – Ed Spanjaard, Christianne Stotijn, Michel van der Aa, Markus Stenz, Otto Ketting, David Robertson (5), Tristan Keuris, Sofiya Gubaydulina, Mayke Nas – Horizon 3: Recordings From The 2008-2009 Season(10×File, AAC)	-	RCO Live