Bio
Graham was born in London, and he studied music at Kings College London and the Royal College of Music, as well as having composition lessons privately with Oliver Knussen. Alongside his classical training he has always been interested in the music of many different styles and cultures, and in particular with tango nuevo. The influence of this style of writing (and of flamenco) can now be seen in many of his recent classical pieces - with their direct and vivid communication and musical language that is both energised and evocative - as well as in works that he has written especially for tango ensembles.
Graham's music is in the repertoire of leading orchestras and ensembles in over twenty countries (including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Wales, the Orchestra of Opera North, the BBC Singers, many chamber groups, and tango ensembles such as Las Sombras, Tango Volcano, and El Ultimo Tango) as well as being frequently recorded and broadcast. And his pieces reach into venues that are both expected and unusual, including the South Bank, the Jazzhaus in Freiburg, the Palace of Monaco, the National Portrait Gallery, the Kennedy Centre, and the Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango in Bogota. Key works include 'Invisible Cities' (orchestra), 'Graphic of the Petenera' (choir), 'Tangos for String Quartet', 'Milonga Azure' (tango) and 'Alba' (violin and piano). Recent pieces include the tangos 'Mediterranean Counterpoint' and 'The Burnt Darkness', a violin and piano sonata, and 'A La Tristeza', a setting of Neruda for voice, flute, and harp. His current activities include arranging some of his music for the BBC Concert Orchestra, as well as working on a piano piece that will be premiered at Wigmore Hall in 2008.