Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

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1991

 

Misha Mullov-Abbado is a British composer and double bass player who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on January 19, 1991, in London, England, Misha is the son of the late Italian conductor Claudio Abbado and the British violinist Viktoria Mullova. Growing up in a musical family, Misha was exposed to classical music from a young age and began playing the piano at the age of five. However, it was not until he was 13 years old that he discovered his love for the double bass. Misha attended the Purcell School of Music in London, where he studied double bass with Rinat Ibragimov, principal double bassist of the London Symphony Orchestra. He then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music degree in 2012 and a Master of Arts degree in 2013. During his time at the Royal Academy of Music, Misha was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for his outstanding contribution to the musical life of the academy. Misha’s career as a composer began to take off while he was still a student at the Royal Academy of Music. In 2012, he won the Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition, which led to the recording of his debut album, “New Ansonia,” in 2015. The album, which features Misha’s original compositions, received critical acclaim and was nominated for the 2016 British Jazz Award for Best Album. Since then, Misha has continued to compose and perform his own music, as well as collaborate with other musicians and ensembles. In 2017, he released his second album, “Cross-Platform Interchange,” which features a mix of jazz, classical, and folk influences. The album was again well-received by critics and was nominated for the 2018 Jazz FM Award for Best Album. Misha’s compositions are known for their intricate melodies, complex harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. He draws inspiration from a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, classical, folk, and world music. His music often features unusual instrumental combinations, such as double bass and accordion, or trumpet and bass clarinet. One of Misha’s most notable compositions is “The Ninth of July,” which was commissioned by the BBC Proms in 2016 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster. The piece, which features a choir and a brass band, is a moving tribute to the victims of the tragedy and has been performed at several other events since its premiere. Another highlight of Misha’s career as a composer was his appointment as the Wigmore Hall’s first-ever Jazz Composer in Residence in 2018. During his residency, Misha composed several new works, including “Lydia’s Tune,” which was inspired by the life of his grandmother, and “Still,” which was written in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to his work as a composer, Misha is also an accomplished double bass player. He has performed with a number of ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Aurora Orchestra. He is also a member of several jazz groups, including the Tom Green Septet and the Patchwork Jazz Orchestra. Misha’s talent as a composer and musician has earned him numerous accolades and awards. In addition to the Dankworth Prize and the Jazz FM Award nominations, he has been named a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist and a City Music Foundation Artist. He was also a finalist in the 2014 International Society of Bassists Composition Competition.

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