Michael Gordon

About

American composer and founding member of the Bang on a Can contemporary classical music collective and festival. Bang on a Can focuses on the presentation of new concert music, and has presented hundreds of musical events worldwide. 

Before Fame

Michael Gordon was born in Florida and grew up in Nicaragua before moving to Miami Beach at age eight. His musical style has been influenced by his experience of underground bands in New York City as well as his formal musical training at Yale University. 

Trivia

Two of his notable works include the opera The Carbon Copy Building, a collaboration with comic book artist Ben Katchor that received the 2000 Village Voice Obie Award for Best New American Work and Shelter, a multi-media work that was commissioned by the musikFabrik ensemble and features the Scandinavian vocalists Trio Mediaeval.

Family Life

He founded Bang on a Can with his wife, fellow composer Julia Wolfe. 

Associated With

Charles Ives is also a composer who attended Yale University.