Param Vir

Param Vir is a British composer, originally from India. Born in Delhi into a family life permeated with Indian classical music, Param Vir’s strong interest in music developed as a teenager when attending a Roman Catholic secondary school and had informal lessons from composer Hans-Joachim Koellreutter, then resident in India. With no prospects as a composer in India, he read history and philosophy at Delhi University, but returned to music on graduation in 1974 as a teacher. Career * 1983 – attended Dartington International Summer School on a scholarship. * 1984 – moved to London to study with Oliver Knussen. * 1987 – awarded Benjamin Britten Composition Prize. * 1993 – Pierre Audi production of Broken Strings wins Ernst von Siemens Music Prize for young composers (Munich). * 2003 – first full production of ION tours Europe. * 2005 – Horse Tooth White Rock performed at the BBC Proms. * 2005 – Hayagriva commissioned and premiered by the Schoenberg Ensemble in Amsterdam * 2006 – Between Earth and Sky, inspired by Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London * 2008 – He Begins His Great Trance for the BBC Singers; Black Feather Rising for Stichting Octo