In the role, which he begins at the start of this Academic year, Brett will lead a range of projects with our students including workshops, masterclasses and performances.
In recent years, Brett has made significant contributions to the Academy: he composed a new work for the 200 PIECES project in 2022, celebrating the Academy’s Bicentenary; he was Composer-in-Residence in October 2023 which saw an exploration of his works by Academy students; and in June this year he led a masterclass for the Composition Department. Additionally, the title role of his second opera, Hamlet, was created for Academy alumnus Allan Clayton who performed the role at Glyndebourne, New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Sydney. Alumnus David Butt Philip later revived the role for Glyndebourne’s national tour of the opera.
In his first engagement as Visiting Professor, Brett will work with Academy students and RIOT Ensemble in a SIDE-BY-SIDE project in February 2025, which will culminate in a concert of his own music and new works by composition students.
Brett Dean was a member of the Berlin Philharmonic for 14 years, during which time he began composing. Today, his music is championed by many of the leading conductors and orchestras worldwide, including Sir Simon Rattle, Vladimir Jurowski, Simone Young, Daniel Harding, Andris Nelsons, Marin Alsop and Sakari Oramo. He has won several awards for his works, including the 2009 Grawemeyer Award, the 2016 Don Banks Music Award by Australia Council and the 2022 Ivor Novello Award for Chamber Ensemble Composition.
Brett also enjoys a busy career as violist and conductor, performing his own Viola Concerto with many of the world’s finest orchestras. His music has been recorded for BIS, Chandos, Warner Classics, ECM Records and ABC Classics.
On his appointment, Brett Dean commented:
‘On my first visit as a guest teacher working with the Academy’s Composition Department in 2023, I encountered a class environment with inspiringly high levels of curiosity and refreshingly low levels of dogma. Subsequent visits have confirmed what I first noticed, all further enhanced by the abundant skills and open-mindedness of its young composers. Hence, I couldn’t be more thrilled and honoured to take on a visiting professorship at this wonderfully supportive institution.’
Philip Cashian, Head of Composition, commented:
‘Brett is an exceptional composer whose experience also as a violist and conductor gives him an extraordinarily perceptive and pragmatic way of engaging with student composers. His vivid musical imagination and practical ‘know how’ make him an invaluable new addition to the Composition Department.’
The Academy’s Principal, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, commented:
‘Brett Dean is one of the world’s leading figures in contemporary music and an inspiring role model of how to be creative in many different realms. I am delighted that he will share his wealth of knowledge and experience with our students as Visiting Professor. His appointment strengthens the Academy’s international outlook and will support us in continuing to move music forward.’
Brett Dean joins other recently appointed Visiting Professors at the Academy including Barbara Hannigan, Hilary Hahn, Nicky Spence and Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Musicians who have recently joined the Academy’s Composition and Contemporary Music Department include Gareth Coker as Visiting Professor of Composition and Colin Currie as Visiting Professor of Modern Ensembles.