Bryce Dessner

Composer

Bryce Dessner is one of the most sought-after composers of his generation, with a rapidly expanding catalogue of works commissioned by leading ensembles across the world. Known to many as a guitarist with The National, he is also active as a curator – a vital force in the flourishing realm of new creative music.

Dessner’s orchestral, chamber, and vocal compositions have been commissioned by the likes of Los Angeles Philharmonic, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Metropolitan Museum of Art (for the New York Philharmonic), Kronos Quartet, BAM Next Wave Festival, Barbican Centre, Edinburgh International Festival, Carnegie Hall, Sydney Festival, eighth blackbird, Sō Percussion, New York City Ballet, and many others. He collaborates across art forms with some of the world’s most creative and respected artists, including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Alejandro Iñarritú, Katia and Marielle Labèque, Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, Caroline Shaw, Johnny Greenwood, Bon Iver, Justin Peck, Ragnar Kjartansson, Jennifer Koh, Kelley O’Connor and Nico Muhly.

In 2018 Steve Reich named Bryce “an important composer with a developed technique and an intense emotional voice. He continues today as a major voice of his generation.”

Dessner’s work Murder Ballads, featured on eighth blackbird’s album Filament — an album he also produced and performs on — won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance. He also co-wrote the score, along with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto – and was Grammy and Golden Globe nominated – for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar Award-winning film, The Revenant.