Classical Composers on TikTok
Composers are starting to embrace TikTok as a way of sharing behind-the-scenes footage from performances, teasers for upcoming releases, advice to music students and life updates. Here are some of the classical and TV/film composers we’ve come across so far on TikTok. Come and say hello @alterclassical!
Sir Karl Jenkins
@karljenkinsofficial
Sir Karl Jenkins, one of the world’s most-performed living choral composers, posted his first TikTok in November 2022 at the age of 78, and has since gained over 100,000 followers. He posts videos and pictures from recording studios and concert halls, including teasers for his newest album, One World.
Max Richter
Max Richter plays the piano and reads book passages in his minimalist studio in Oxfordshire to over 40,000 followers. We also see clips from interviews; choreographed ballet performances at the Royal Opera House; cinematic videos with relaxing music; and book recommendations.
Eric Whitacre
Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre, who is mainly known for his choral music, shares a whole mix of content: autobiographical videos and insights into being a composer (including style sheets from his pieces and behind-the-scenes footage at rehearsals and recording sessions); lighthearted relief including bloopers from his masterclass; personal travel videos; and life lessons and advice to music students.
Kristina Arakelyan
Armenian-British composer, performer and educator Kristina Arakelyan posts piano performances (including her own in-progress arrangements as well as Bach’s music); her favourite piano warm-ups; and tips on how to practice.
Ola Gjeilo
Norwegian choral composer and pianist Ola Gjeilo posts videos from choir performances and excerpts from his albums with the sheet music on screen. There are also photos from his travels. He’s just hit 1,000 followers.
Philip Glass
87-year-old American composer Philip Glass is on TikTok playing his piano works from his home and showcasing ballet scenes set to his musical soundtrack.
Emily Bear
Emily Bear, a 20-something American film/TV composer, pianist, songwriter and singer, has had over 8 million likes on TikTok. You can go with her to score a movie within the Netflix studio, see her conducting an orchestra, and hear her playing the piano and singing at home.
Sir John Rutter
78-year-old British choral composer and conductor John Rutter joined TikTok in November 2023. He has shared videos of himself with a local swan called Rufus, album news, and his tips for aspiring composers.
Ludovico Einaudi
68-year-old Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi has been on TikTok since March 2021, gaining over 500,000 followers in the process. He shares footage from live performances, teasers for music videos on YouTube, and cinematic videos with his music as a soundtrack.
Hans Zimmer
66-year-old film composer Hans Zimmer shares a mix of the old and new with over 1 million followers: throwback footage from old interviews and big anniversaries of older films rub shoulders with trailers for upcoming movie releases and clips from recent interviews.
Ólafur Arnalds
Icelandic composer and multi-instrumentalist Ólafur Arnalds is known for his unique mix of strings, piano with loops and edgy beats crossing-over from ambient/classical/electronic to pop. He posts TikToks of himself playing the piano and musicians performing his music. You’ll also catch trailers for his upcoming albums, and introductions to various pieces.
Claire Wickes
London-based film composer Claire Wickes uses TikTok as a place to share educational content such as how to score an epic orchestral trailer and how to write an action cue. She also goes behind the scenes at BBC Radio 3 for a show she presented, and also posts light-hearted content about making Kate Bush songs into fugues.
Gabriel Prokofiev
Music producer, DJ and composer of electro/classical pieces Gabriel Prokofiev (and Founder of Nonclassical) joined TikTok at the end of 2022. He’s posted vinyl unboxing videos, behind-the-scenes clips from rehearsals and live performances, and making percussive sounds using Fanta bottles.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Head to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TikTok for glimpses of his dog, a Havanese called Mojito, and also cat content. While there you’ll also find popular TikTok trends (like ‘Duet With Me’) and personal messages behind songs in his musicals (and his piece Make A Joyful Noise, heard at the Coronation).
Dani Howard
British composer and orchestrator Dani Howard, who is currently Composer in Residence with the London Chamber Orchestra, shares performance clips of her music, as well as details of upcoming concert performances, and life behind the scenes while touring abroad.
Hannah Fiddy is a creative entrepreneur, developing new audiences for classical music. She has created and promoted numerous concerts outside of traditional spaces, including warehouses, pubs, clubs, museums, hospitals, prisons and even in Primark. Hannah is also an interviewer, writer and guest lecturer on innovation in the classical music industry. In a past life she founded London Flashmob, producing quirky events from wedding proposals to cultural pranks for up to 1,000 people.
