Armand Amar

Armand Amar, a Paris-based composer renowned for his film scores and dance compositions, entered the world in Jerusalem during 1953 before growing up in Morocco. Drawn to music from childhood, he pursued an intensive path of independent study that encompassed both European classical traditions and indigenous forms from Africa and the Middle East. His longstanding curiosity about the intersection of sound and bodily expression found an outlet through his partnership with South African choreographer and anthropologist Peter Goss, who valued Amar’s explorations of diverse cultural sonorities. Scores created for Goss opened doors to projects with additional prominent dance companies, along with the acting workshop led by Patrice Chéreau and the Conservatoire National Supérieur. In 1994 Amar contributed to the soundtrack of Michel Blanc’s feature Grosse Fatigue, followed three years later by his original music for the television production Miracle a l'Eldorado. Costa Gavras enlisted him in 2002 to compose for the film Amen, initiating an extended series of cinematic soundtracks that Amar has since written and produced. Beyond composing and performing, he helped establish the Long Distance record label, which focuses on world music and classical repertoire from international sources.