Olivier Greif

His father was an Auschwitz survivor, which led Greif to compose a number of Holocaust-themed works, including Todesfuge and Lettres de Westerbork, a song cycle which uses letters written by Etty Hillesum.

Greif began composing at the age of 9 and studied at the Paris Conservatoire and the Juilliard School.

His career was spent teaching composition and directing music festivals such as the Académie-Festival des Arcs.

There is often a dark colouration to the sound, with a favoring of minor modes even in the context of works with a major pull to their tonality.

His works include the Sonate de Requiem for cello and piano, a cello concerto entitled Durch Adams Fall, four string quartets, the Petite Messe Noire, the chamber opera Nô, and a set of 23 études for piano.