Richard Barrett

Richard Barrett, born in Swansea in 1959, studied composition principally with Peter Wiegold. He taught electronic composition and performance in the Institute of Sonology in The Hague from 1996 to 2001; during 2001-02 he was a guest of the DAAD Berlin Artists’ Programme, remaining in Berlin until 2006 when he became a professor at Brunel University in London. His work encompasses both composition and improvisation, ranging from chamber music to innovative uses of live electronics and collaborations with visual artists.

Much of his work arises from close long-term collaborations, such as his association with ELISION (since 1990) and the electronic duo FURT with Paul Obermayer (since 1986). He also performs regularly with vocalist Ute Wassermann, saxophonist Evan Parker, cellist Arne Deforce and numerous ensembles from both compositional and improvisational areas, including the vocal/instrumental/electronic octet fORCH which he and Paul Obermayer formed in 2005. His work as composer and performer is documented on over 20 CDs, including four discs devoted to his compositions and seven by FURT.