Yati Durant

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Biography

Yati Durant is a U.S.-born composer, conductor, trumpeter, and educator based in Berlin, whose work spans film, television, concert music, jazz, and contemporary media. He began studying music at the age of seven, developing early as a pianist, composer, and trumpeter. As a young jazz musician he studied with Thara Memory, won regional prizes, and co-founded the experimental ensemble Honey Junkie as well as The Yati Durant Project Band. Early commissions supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, including Old Town Tribute in 1996, marked the beginning of a career that soon expanded into film and television. After moving to New York in the mid-1990s, he composed for clients including HBO, Walt Disney Productions, Fox, and others.

A 1997 commission from The Juilliard School’s Ensemble America led to a scholarship at the Schola Cantorum in Paris, where Yati met Polish composer Krzysztof Meyer, who subsequently invited him to study composition at the Hochschule für Musik Köln. He completed his studies in Cologne in 2005 with an ambitious orchestral and electronic score for Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin, earning the Meisterklasse Konzertexam. His artistic development has also included studies and encounters with figures such as George Crumb, Philip Lasser, Narcis Bonet, Lee Konitz, and Jonathan Brett. In 2021, he completed a Ph.D. in Composition at the University of Edinburgh with his research project Saundaryalaharī, supervised by Prof. Peter Nelson.

Yati’s music has been recognised at international festivals and competitions, including the Panorama Audience Award at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival for Erika Rabau – Der Puck von Berlin, a BAFA German Business Film Award nomination for the WDR/ARD documentary Ein Klavier geht um die Welt, and finalist recognition at the 2009 Concorso Giovani Musicisti Europei in Aosta for his score to Charlie Chaplin’s The Vagabond. Conducting has become an equally central part of his artistic work. From 2010 to 2019 he was Music Director and Conductor of the Edinburgh Film Music Orchestra, and he has since conducted leading professional ensembles including the Staatsorchester Braunschweig, Neues Rheinisches Kammerorchester Köln (NRKO), Pannonia Film Music Orchestra, and Reid Hall Recording Orchestra. Through the MSCN Film Music Festivals Academy, he also leads specialist workshops and masterclasses in film-music conducting, focusing on orchestral technique, synchronisation, rehearsal strategy, score preparation, and the demands of professional recording sessions.

Yati is Director of SoundTrack_Cologne AcadeMeet and CineConcerts, where he develops and shapes orchestral programmes celebrating major voices in international film, television, and video-game music. Since 2024, he has also conducted the NRKO at the SoundTrack_Cologne Awards Ceremony. His work across CineConcerts, festivals, orchestral projects, and professional workshops has brought him into collaboration with a remarkable range of internationally acclaimed screen composers, including two-time Academy Award winner Gustavo Santaolalla, Academy Award winner Steven Price, Christopher Young, Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Abels, Emmy-winning Cristóbal Tapia de Veer, Grammy-winning composers Gordy Haab and Stephen Barton, Austin Wintory, Jongnic Bontemps, Olivier Derivière, Anthony Willis, Natalie Holt, John Lunn, Dascha Dauenhauer, Mirjam Skal, Aisling Brouwer, Natalie Hausmann, Carsten Rocker, Kim Neundorf, Juan Luqui, Boxed Ape composers Alistair Kerley and Frankie Harper, and many others.

Alongside his work as a composer and conductor, Yati remains active as a jazz trumpeter and electroacoustic musician, performing internationally across Europe, the USA, India, and South America. Education and artistic mentorship have also been defining elements of his career. From 2010 to 2019 he was Lecturer in Music, Sound, and the Moving Image and Programme Director of the MSc in Composition for Screen at the University of Edinburgh, and he has taught workshops and masterclasses at leading institutions across Europe. From 2021 to 2023 he was Mentor-in-Residence with the WDR Funkhausorchester. He is also active internationally as a jury member, advisor, moderator, and organiser for festivals and competitions including SoundTrack_Cologne, SoundTrack_Zurich, Krakow Film Music Festival, Music & Cinema Marseille, Oticons Faculty, and the World Soundtrack Awards at Film Fest Gent. He currently serves as Director of the International Media Music and Sound Arts Network in Education (IMMSANE) and Director of the MSCN Film Music Festivals Academy, connecting emerging talent, higher education, festivals, and the professional media-music industry.

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 1 Audace for trumpet, cello, flute/soprano sax, violine, tabla and audiovisual electronics - 2025, premiered at Centro Social Rosta Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy

Saundaryalaharī 7 for trumpet, cello, flute/soprano sax, tabla and audiovisual electronics - 2025, premiered at SLAP, Milan, Italy

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

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 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)