LIFE INTO MUSIC | music into life
About the contemporary composer David Breeze.
“Now there is no taboo; everything is allowed. But one cannot simply go back to tonality, it’s not the way. We must find a way of neither going back nor continuing the avant-garde. I am in a prison: one wall is the avant-garde, the other wall is the past, and I want to escape.” – György Ligeti.
David Breeze is an English composer who grew up in the 1960s and 70s in the wake of the Second World War and during a remarkable period which saw the remaking of modern music in Western Europe.
News
His piano trio ‘Red Kite’ is to be performed by the Mithras Trio at the Wallingford Chamber Music festival on Saturday 8 August, 2026.
Beginnings
His early interest in composing was discovered on an upright piano in his grandparents’ sitting room. Even today this instrument remains his trusted musical friend and confidant, alongside modern technology. An instinct to reject tonality – in favour of experimentation and improvised soundscapes, led him to discover avant garde and experimental music. At the same time he studied violin, performing traditional orchestral, operatic, theatre and chamber music for many years.
Career
A career in town planning didn’t prevent David Breeze from remaining atuned to contemporary music. In 2000 he studied composition full time with Anthony Gilbert at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2000.
He also enjoyed an appearance in State of the Nation at London’s South Bank Centre and on BBC Radio 3. In 2010 he took part in an international string quartet competition with the Arditti String Quartet and celebrated German composer Wolfgang Rihm. For a sevral years he was part of CoMA (Contemporary Music for All) as leader of several ensembles and as a composer.
He is currently composing new music for musicians of all kinds.
Some recent works
Playlist
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Why not contact David Breeze
Do you have an idea for a piece of music to mark a special moment in your life? David Breeze is prepared to consider working to your commission.