Troy Banarzi

Troy Banarzi (born 12 April 1972) is a British-born composer and artist of Indian/Irish descent. He is considered “an experimental music maker with a more art-orientated approach”,^[1] creating music with a "folk influence and a fairy-tale quality".^[2]

Banarzi was born in London. He has collaborated with, amongst others, the Rambert Dance Company, sound artist Scanner,^[3][4] and composer Kuljit Bhamra.^[5] He is also a production music composer, and recording pianist for “De Wolfe Music”,^[6] with numerous high-profile television credits including Dispatches (Channel 4), Horizon (BBC2), and Coast (BBC1).^[7]

Recent Works

Requiem for the Missing (2009)^{[8][9][10][11]}

A “performance art” art piece for the East Wing Collection at the Courtauld Institute of Art.^[12] First performed in the courtyard of Somerset House on Friday February 13, by a choir of hooded monks (Trinity College of Music Chamber Choir). It uses the following texts: Psalm 88, The 9 Cemetery Contemplations, Pie Jesu, A Woman Unknown, In Paradisum.

Séance (2009) ^[8][13]

A collaboration with sound artist Scanner.^[4] A multi-channel surround sound installation first performed at Somerset House alongside Requiem for the Missing. It combines audio recordings of a séance with a contemporary police missing report and recordings of the Thames.

Mammon (2009)

A collaboration with choreographer Patricia Okenwa and the Rambert Dance Company. First performed 22 May at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre as part of the Rambert’s “Season of New Choreography” series. Music scored for string quintet, piano, Hammond organ and drumkit.

Magic Organ (2009) ^[14][15]

A musical sculpture exhibited at the East Wing Collection, Courtauld Institute of Art,^[16] made from salvaged musical instruments and organ pipes

Euphonika (2006) ^{[1][17][2][18]}

An audio/visual "performance art" piece exploring people's relationships with dolls and statues. Scored for string quartet, harp, tuba, Hammond organ, toy piano, melodica, and live electronics, and incorporating video interviews and film animation. Subsequently, broadcast and Resonance FM and BBC Radio 3.^[19]

Earlier works

Prior to 2006, works include:

Music for Jonathan Allen’s “performance art” act Tommy Angel^[20] at the Hayward Gallery (on the occasion of Eyes, Lies and Illusions), at Tate Britain,^[21] and at the ZOO Art Fair.

Music for “Singh Tangos”,^[22] by Bettina Gracias at Riverside Studios.

External links

• Troy Banarzi's official site
• The Hospital Club/The Independent Newspaper 2009 shortlist for the 100 “most influential people in the creative and media industries”

References