Michael Finnissy
Biography
b. 1946 London. Started composing when he was four. Studied composition at the Royal College of Music with Bernard Stevens and Humphrey Searle, and piano with Edwin Benbow and Ian Lake; later studied composition in Italy with Roman Vlad. As pianist, has commissioned and performed many new works by British composers. Has written prolifically for wide variety of forces: orchestral, choral, chamber, solo instrumental and vocal, as well as opera and dance music. Teaches composition at University of Sussex and at the Royal Academy of Music.