Arnau Brichs

Arnau Brichs is a composer, pianist, and electronic music producer from Barcelona. His music explores a wide range of expression, from intimate piano and synthesizer pieces to the vast soundscapes of symphonic orchestras. His classically inspired compositions blend acoustic instruments with experimental electronics, both digital and analogue.

Arnau studied contemporary classical composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he graduated with first-class honors as a full ABRSM scholarship holder. His work has earned international recognition, including the PRIX ÉLAN 2024 in Paris, where his orchestral piece Degrees of Presence won unanimous praise from the jury, orchestra, and audience. He has also received accolades such as the WCSMS Promising Young Composers Competition (Philadelphia, USA) and the Eric Coates Prize (London, UK). His compositions have been performed by ensembles including the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France (Paris), the Uusinta Ensemble (Finland), Bent Frequency (Atlanta, USA), Locrian Chamber Players (New York City, USA), Camerata Eduard Toldrà (Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia), and the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra (Switzerland).

As an electronic musician, he works with modular synthesizers, drum machines, and custom-built digital tools that allow him to manipulate acoustic sounds in new and innovative ways. He has coined terms like “aural deepfakes,” “presence,” and “invisible electronics” to describe his approach to sound. His open-source software, developed for his own music, has become widely popular online.

Arnau began his musical journey with jazz piano mentorship under Chano Domínguez and Marina Albero, and classical training at the IEA Oriol Martorell in Barcelona. As a performer, he has appeared at venues such as the Ateneu Barcelonès, Fundació Joan Miró, CaixaForum Barcelona, UTOPIA 46, and the International Music Festival of Cadaqués.

Currently, Arnau is a Composer in Residence at the prestigious IRCAM in Paris, where he is developing a new work for symphonic orchestra and electronics to be premiered by the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France at Festival ManiFeste in June 2025.