Daniel Kidane

Daniel Kidane is a British composer and Visiting Tutor in Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and University of Cambridge. His works blend multicultural influences with contemporary classical techniques, exploring themes of identity, conflict, and social justice. Key roles include commissions from major orchestras like the BBC Symphony and London Symphony Orchestra, alongside awards such as the Paul Hamlyn Award (2016) and an honorary doctorate from Coventry University (2022).

Education:

• Began violin at age 8, composition studies at Royal College of Music Junior Department
• Private study in St. Petersburg with Sergey Slonimsky
• BMus and postgraduate studies at Royal Northern College of Music under Gary Carpenter and David Horne

Research Interests: Kidane’s music merges traditional orchestration with modernist innovation. Key themes include multiculturalism (evident in works like Aloud reflecting his Russian-Ukrainian heritage), pandemic reflections (Be Still), and socio-political commentary (Dream Song setting MLK’s texts). His compositional style draws from Russian chant, Messiaen, and Janáček, creating vivid soundscapes that balance tension and resolution.

Awards:

• Royal Philharmonic Society Prize (2013)
• Paul Hamlyn Award for Artists (2016)
• Jerwood Composer+ (2018)
• Coventry University Honorary Doctorate (2022)

Current Projects: 2024 violin concerto Aloud with Julia Fischer and London Philharmonic Orchestra. Upcoming works include a cello piece Sarabande and continued exploration of pandemic-era compositions.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with ensembles like Chineke! Orchestra (pioneering BAME representation) and mentors through Music Masters charity.