Max Richter

Max Richter’s 2004 album The Blue Notebooks has been described as “one of the best classical works of the century,” a reputation that reflects the reach of a composer whose music moves between postminimalism and contemporary classical writing. German-born and British, Richter is also a pianist, with a body of work spanning solo recordings, stage pieces, opera, ballet, and screen music.

Classically trained, Richter studied composition at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Academy of Music in London, then continued his studies in Italy with Luciano Berio. His work combines composed and performed music with an approach that has brought him into collaboration with musicians as well as performance, installation, and media artists. He has recorded eight solo albums, while his compositions have been widely used in cinema.

Richter’s music has been praised by former BBC Radio 3 controller Alan Davey as “transcending genres,” and he has been called a major figure in contemporary music. By December 2019, his recordings had passed one billion streams and one million album sales. In 2026, he received an Academy Award nomination for his work on the soundtrack of Hamnet.