Yati Durant

News & Research

Biography

Yati Durant is a U.S. composer, lecturer, trumpeter, and conductor based in Berlin, Germany. He began his music studies at the age of 7, excelling in piano, composition, and trumpet. As a young trumpet player and jazz musician, he studied with Thara Memory, and earned regional prizes, co-founding the experimental jazz ensemble Honey Junkie and his own band, The Yati Durant Project Band. His talent led to commissions funded by the National Endowment of the Arts, including Old Town Tribute in 1996. Yati's career expanded when he moved to New York in the mid-1990’s to compose TV and film music for clients like HBO, Walt Disney Productions, Fox, and many others.

In 1997, a commission from The Juilliard School’s Ensemble America led him to receive a scholarship to study at La Schola Cantorum in Paris. It was then that Yati met the Polish composer Krzysztof Meyer, who offered him a place in his composition class at the State Conservatory of Music in Cologne, Germany. Yati completed his studies there in 2005 by composing for Sergei Eisenstein's 1925 silent film The Battleship Potemkin, which earned him a prestigious first Meisterklasse Konzertexam. He has also studied from notable figures like George Crumb, Philip Lasser, Narcis Bonet, Lee Konitz, and Jonathan Brett. In 2021, he attained a Ph.D. in Composition with his research project Saundaryalahari, supervised by Prof. Peter Nelson.

Yati's compositions and film scores have received many prizes from International festivals, including a Panorama Public Prize at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival for Erika Rabau – Der Puck von Berlin and a BAFA National Commerce Film Award nomination for the WDR/ARD documentary Ein Klavier geht um die Welt.  He is a finalist of the 2009 Concorso Giovani Musicisti Europei in Aosta, Italy with his score to C. Chaplin’s The Vagabond. He was Music Director and Conductor of the Edinburgh Film Music Orchestra (2010 - 2019), Guest Conductor at Staatsorchester Braunschweig, Neue Rheinisches Kammerorchester, and other renowned orchestras at prestigious film events throughout Europe.

As a jazz trumpeter and electroacoustic musician, Yati performs regularly throughout Europe, USA, India and South America with concerts in many genres. Additionally, Yati has an extensive pedagogic background, having served as Lecturer in Music, Sound, and the Moving Image and Programme Director of the renowned MSc in Composition for Screen at the University of Edinburgh from 2010-2019. He has taught courses, workshops and masterclasses at esteemed institutions world-wide, including Manchester University, Leeds College of Music, Keele University, RCM London, HFF Munich, Bath-Spa University, ArtEZ Arnhem, ZHdK (Zurich Academy of the Arts), HKU Utrecht, Conservatorio di Musica “Francesco Venezze” Rovigo, Italy, Franz Liszt Academy of Music Budapest, and many others.

Yati was Mentor-in-Residence for the WDR Funkhausorchester from 2021 - 2023. He holds advisory, competition jury, and organisational roles in international film music festivals and scoring competitions, including Soundtrack_Cologne, Soundtrack_Zurich, Krakow Film Music Festival, Music&Cinema Marseille, Oticons Faculty, Filmfest Ghent WSA, and others. Currently, Yati serves as a Director of the International Media Music and Sound Arts Network in Education (IMMSANE), and as Director of MSCN Film Music Festivals Academy.

Music for Screen

Silent Film Music

The Battleship Potemkin - 2005/2018, 70 minutes, music to the 1925 silent film by Sergei Eisenstein, for large orchestra with quadraphonic electronics, Philharmonie Köln/Braunschweig Film Festival

CD available from Film Dienst

Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages - 1922/2015, 122 minutes, composed improvisation to the silent film by Benjamin Christensen, for 7 instruments and electronics

Durant & Svalesen: Häxan, McLaren - 2015, various films approx. 40 min. each, experimental electroacoustic music to film

Jean Desmet’s Dream Factory: Smyrne, Tra le Pinete di Rodi, Tripoli, Watersnood in Noord Holland  - 2015, 4 films between 3 - 5 min. each, experimental music to the silent films 1906 - 1916 by Jean Desmet - EYE Amsterdam, Sanctuary Lab 2015

Frankenstein - 2012, 13 minutes, music to the 1910 silent film directed by J. Searle Dawley for Edison Productions, for solo violin and surround electronics, commissioned by New Media Scotland/EIFF 2012

Scottish Screen Archive films:  Buying a Horse, McNabs Visit, The Cat, The Enchanted Glade, The Great Train Engines - 2012, 4 films between 3 - 5 min. each, experimental improvised music to the silent films, original dates unknown, produced in collaboration with Scottish Screen Archive, Glasgow

The Vagabond - 2009/2011, 26 minutes, music to the 1916 silent film by Charles Chaplin, for trumpet, violin and harpsichord (2011 arrangement for orchestra) - Finalist of the Strade del Cinema Young European Musicians Award 

Robinet - 2009/2012   8 minutes, music to the 1920(?) silent film, for trumpet, violin and harpsichord (2012 arrangement for orchestra) 

Von Morgens bis Mitternachts - 2009, 72 minutes, music to the 1920 silent film by Karl Heinz Martin, for 7 players, commissioned by the Cologne Philharmonic, Soundtrack Cologne and the Film Museum Munich  

DVD available from Edition Filmmuseum 

CD available from Film Dienst

Lady Windermere’s Fan - 2008, 90 minutes, music to the 1925 silent film by Ernst Lubitsch, for clarinet, piano, string quartet and electronics - U.S. Federal Assistance Award 2008

CD available from Film Dienst

Film and TV Music

Quel Posto nel Tempo - 2021, feature film (orch. conducting), by Giuseppe Alession Nuzzo/Conservatorio F. Venezze di Rovigo

Journey to Self - 2019, 55 minutes, music to the documentary film based on the life of June Haimoff by Fehmi Gerceker

Primal Flux - 2016, 4 minutes, music to the short animation by Joan Gratz

Sightlines - 2014, 16 minutes, music to the film by Genevieve Bicknell - Scottish Documentary Institute

Young and Wild - 2014, 100 minutes, music to the film by Felix Maxim Eller (Eller & Jasckiewicz Production)

Diana - 2009, 28 minutes, music to the film by Henri Boit - KHM

Ein Klavier Geht um die Welt - 2008, 48 minutes, music to the film by Michael Busse - ARD, WDR - Nominated for the BAFA Deutsche Wirtschaftsfilmpreis 2008

Erika Rabau - Der Puck von Berlin - 2008, 90 minutes, music to the film by Samson Vicent - 3rd place Panorama Audience Award 2008 at the Berlin International Film Festival  

Victor - 2004, 15 minutes, music to the film by Michael Ester - KHM

Fransösich Inklusive - 2003, 30 minutes, music to the film by Bernd Schaarmann - CAC, WDR 

Backstage Bistro, episodes 1 - 3 - 2001 - 2003, 30 min. each, music to the sit-com episodes - CAC, WDR

Ein Bisschen Mord Muss Sein - 2000, 15 minutes, music to the film by Bernd Schaarmann - KHM

Spieletestcenter - 1999, 2 minutes, TV jingle - Ravensberger Spielverlag, KHM - Hennessy Cup Selection 1999

Clavigo - 1997, music to the theater drama by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

HBO "Sports" - 1997, 30 seconds, TV jingle - HBO, Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising NYC

Oxy “Balance” - 1997, 30 seconds, TV jingle - Grey Advertising NYC

Medspan “Daisy” - 1997, 30 seconds, TV jingle - One Union Square Productions NYC

Hercules Parade - 1997, 60 seconds, radio jingle - Walt Disney World Broadcast Productions

Industrial MUSIC and Trailers

Screen Academy Scotland - 2016, trailer project

40 Jahre Igus - 2004,  for the Igus 40 year anniversary celebration, Messe Köln, Germany

Machine Music for Igus Industries at the Industrie Paris 2004 trade show, Parc des Expositions, Paris, France

Japanese-Danish Partnership - 2003,  music to the corporate gala, Schloß Wolkenburg,  Cologne, Germany

Start Now! - 2000,  music to the corporate documentary by Bernd Schaarman - KHM

Addy Awards 1997 - for the Advertising Association of New York, U.S.S. Intrepid Museum, New York, New York.

Journalism and Hörspiel

Portrait of a Composer: Krzysztof Meyer - radio documentary 8 min. - 2001, Deutsche Welle International Radio, Bonn, Germany

Cyberland - hörspiel 10 min. - 2000, CAC Köln, Germany

Der Erlkönig by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 14 min. - hörspiel - 2000, CAC Köln, Germany

Concert Music

Orchestral Music

If You Don’t Like the Weather… for orchestra - 2023, WDR Funkhausorchester

Fast Ride in an Auto Rickshaw for orchestra - 2022, WDR Funkhausorchester

Saundaryalahari 4 for orchestra and audiovisual electronics - 2021

Concerto for Guitar, Percussion, Synthesiser and Strings - 2011/2016

*A2 for string orchestra and electronics - 2014, premiered at the McLaren 2014 centenary, Playfair Library Hall, Edinburgh

Verse (II) for large orchestra - 2012, commissioned by the 46th Festival Musica Nova, Brazil

Concerto for Pianoforte and Orchestra - 2009

Verse for large orchestra - 2005

Lento for chamber orchestra - 1999

The Ship for large string orchestra - 1997, commissioned by Ensemble America, The Juilliard School, NYC

Chamber Music

Shasta Chorale for solo piano - 2016

Reflections: Duo Canon for two pianos, four hands - 2016, premiered at Festival Nuova Consonanza, Rome, Italy

Hometowns Lost for soprano, violin and harp - 2014, commissioned by The Day After the Tsunami Committee, Edinburgh

Bach *A2 B2 for cello and electronics - 2013, based on Bach's 4th Cello Suite, performed by cellist David Watkin

Mazowsze for string quartet - 2012, commissioned by the Polish Consulate General in Edinburgh, performed by the Edinburgh Quartet

Śpieszmy się/Love Now for soprano and pianoforte - 2007, commissioned by the German broadcaster ARD and C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik NYC

Śpiewy Polskie/Polish Songs for soprano, pianoforte, string quartet and electronics - 2006, commissioned by the Polish Consulate General in Cologne, U.S. Federal Assistance Award 2006

Blue Duality for trumpet, jazz drums, vibraphone und string quintet - 2005

Mystery of the Verse for piano trio - 2005

Streaming for alto and soprano recorders, harpsichord - 2004

Motyle for soprano and string quartet - 2003

Largo Affetto for solo guitar - 2003

Clarinet Trio for clarinet in B, pianoforte and cello - 2002

Woodwind Trio for oboe, clarinet in B and bassoon - 2000

Nina for baritone and pianoforte - 2000

Merit for brass quintet and 6 percussionists - 1999

Bird Songs for soprano and pianoforte - 1999

1 of 3 for pianoforte solo - 1998

Prelude for pianoforte solo - 1998

6 Solo Cello Suites - 1996

Lullaby Suite for string quartet - 1996

Collage for piano quintet - 1996

Three Pieces from Three Places of the World for string quartet - 1995

6 Miniatures for bass clarinet duo - 1995

Old Town Tribute for sextet - 1995, commissioned by the National Endowment of the Arts Fund

ELECTRONIC NEW MUSIC AND SOUND ART

Saundaryalaharī 6 for piano/4 hands, cello and electronics - 2022, premiered at Full Circle, Brussels

Saundaryalaharī 5 v.1 and v.2 for cello and electronics - 2021, premiered at Angelica/Maskfest XII, Bologna

Limited edition vinyl available from Corvo Records

The Saundaryalaharī Research Project for electronics, visuals generated by video synthesizers and live instruments - 2017+

A Players Guide to all the Saundaryalaharī works can be found here

Quiet Cities - sound art visualised field recordings from Edinburgh Leith/Water of Leith, UK at 4pm on May 7th 2020, exhibited at La Hora Acústica 2023, Intermediale 2022 and Radiophrenia

Positivity 1 and 2 for electronics, visuals generated by video synthesizers, music by Volker Wagner - 2021, exhibited at Intermediale 2022

Saundaryalaharī 3 (trio version) for trumpet, cello, bansuri and audiovisual electronics - 2024, premiered at Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena - Oblizza, Italy

Saundaryalaharī 3 v.1, v.2 and v.3 for cello and audiovisual performance electronics - 2020, premiered at IMMSANE Zurich Congress 2020, Switzerland

Saundaryalaharī 2 for two cellos, electronics and pixivisor visuals - 2018, premiered at XXIX Festival Forfest, Kromeriz, Czech Republic, cellists Nicola Baroni and Norman Adams (Saundaryalahari research project)

Pixidust 2 for two modular synths and Pixivisor visuals - 2018, premiered at Seeing Sound 2018, Bath Spa, UK, in collaboration with Jules Rawlinson

Saundaryalaharī 1 for two pianos, four hands, electronics and pixivisor visuals - 2017, Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh, UK (Saundaryalahari research project)

Pixidust for two modular synths and Pixivisor visuals - 2017, in collaboration with Jules Rawlinson

The End and the Beginning for Machinedrum and violin - 2015, performance to the visual dance work by Darkland Collective at Hidden Door Festival, Edinburgh

Durant & Svalesen: Spontaneous Compositions - 2015, experimental electoacoustic music ensemble works

For more sessions, visit the Soundcloud page

Filagree for jazz drums and quadraphonic electronics 7 min. - 2005, commissioned by Kölner Musik Nacht 2005

Transversal for percussion and quadraphonic electronics 11 min.  - 2005

Kasting for electronics 15 min. - 2003   

EVII for 4 actors and electronics 12 min. - 2000

Tepid for electronics 10 min. - 2000

JAzz

Yati Durant performs jazz trumpet in all genres - in the studio, stage and festivals.  He has performed and worked with Dick Berk, Lew Soloff, Ron Steen, Thara Memory, Mel Brown, Andrew Hill, Ricky Sweum, and more recently with Keith Edwards, David Patrick, Phil Dwyre, Steve Hamilton, Tom Gordon, Dan Shearer, Raymond MacDonald, Matt Carmichael, John Troy, Jonathan Edwards, Pete Johnstone, Ed Kelly, Bill Kyle (RIP) and The Jazz Bar Big Band.  He is a consistent player at Edinburgh's The Jazz Bar, and at the Edinburgh Blues and Jazz Festival.  For current listings at The Jazz Bar, please view their programme here.

His ensembles include:

Little One Duo with David Patrick (2024 -), Miles!Miles!Miles! with David Patrick, Ed Kelly and Dan Shearer (2018 -), Yati Durant/David Carnegie Quartet (2016 -), Jazz Bar Big Band (2016 -), Jazz Bar World Premiere Quintet (2015 -), Stik Cooke Quintet (2015  -), Yati Durant Ensemble (1999 -), Honey Junkie (1994-1997), The Yati Durant Project Band (1994-1996), Ben Medler Big Band (1994), Dave Barduhn's Genesis (1994), Mount Hood CC Big Band (1993)