Nico Muhly

Nico Muhly

Nico Muhly is an American composer born in 1981 in Randolph, United States, and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. He works in contemporary classical music, minimalism, avant-garde, opera, concerto and related forms, and he is associated with Bedroom Community. He graduates from Columbia University with a degree in English literature and receives a master’s degree in music from the Juilliard School in 2004, where he studies with Christopher Rouse and John Corigliano. From his sophomore year of college, he works for Philip Glass as a MIDI programmer and editor for six years.

Composition and collaborations

Muhly writes for a wide range of ensembles, soloists and arts organisations. His commissions and collaborations include the American Ballet Theatre, American Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony, Gotham Chamber Opera, Music-Theatre Group, New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Paris Opéra Ballet, Seattle Symphony, Saint Thomas Church in New York City, the Royal Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as artists including percussionist Colin Currie, countertenor Iestyn Davies, pianist Simone Dinnerstein, violinist Hilary Hahn, soprano Jessica Rivera, designer and illustrator Maira Kalman, choreographer Benjamin Millepied and artist Conrad Shawcross.

He also performs, arranges and conducts for other artists, including Antony and the Johnsons, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Doveman, Grizzly Bear, Jónsi of Sigur Rós and Usher.

Operas and larger works

In 2011, Muhly’s first full-scale opera, Two Boys, is commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center Theater and the English National Opera. With a libretto by Craig Lucas and direction by Bartlett Sher, it tells the story of an online relationship that leads to a real-life police investigation and tragedy. It premieres in London in 2012. A chamber opera commissioned by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Music Theatre Group and Gotham Chamber Opera premieres in New York in 2012.

He also creates the evening-length work I Drink the Air Before Me with choreographer Stephen Petronio.

Recordings and label work

Bedroom Community releases Muhly’s first album, Speaks Volumes, in 2007. He later releases Mothertongue and the three-part Drones, the latter made in collaboration with pianist Bruce Brubaker, violinist Pekka Kuusisto and violist Nadia Sirota. Bedroom Community is an artist-run label headed by Icelandic musician Valgeir Sigurðsson, and Muhly works closely with labelmates Sigurðsson, Ben Frost and Sam Amidon on their solo releases.

His choral music album A Good Understanding is released by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Decca. His work Seeing is Believing is recorded by the Aurora Orchestra and released on Decca, while I Drink the Air Before Me is a joint release between Decca and Bedroom Community.

Film scores

Muhly’s film credits include scores for Joshua, Margaret and The Reader; all three are recorded and released commercially.