Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat

Max Richter - Expressing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Through Music (and Sleep)

April 11, 2021 Mo Gawdat and Max Richter Episode 107
Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat
Max Richter - Expressing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Through Music (and Sleep)
Show Notes

Today’s guest is the amazing Max Richter. I'm a huge fan of his music (and you are likely to be too).

Max stands as one of the most prodigious figures on the contemporary music scene. From synthesizers and computers to a full symphony orchestra, Max’s innovative work encompasses solo albums, ballets, concert hall performances, film and TV series, video art installations and theatre works.

He writes beautifully crafted, intelligent work that is disarming in its honesty; his music, despite its underlying sophistication, remains accessible to all. His enduring appeal has led him to surpass a billion streams and a million album sales. Although long a part of the avant-garde, through his influential solo albums, Max has become an influential composer in film and television, creating the brilliant score for Golden Globe and European Film Academy Award-winner Waltz with Bashir, HBO’s cult drama The Leftovers, Miss Sloane with Jessica Chastain, Hostiles starring Christian Bale, Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror, and Tom Hardy’s Taboo, for example.

Numerous directors, including Martin Scorsese, have dipped into Richter’s catalogue when they need something special.

Ten years in the making, Max’s latest work is Voices, which which brings together recordings of people in over 70 countries reading the the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with a massive and very unusual orchestra. It’s second part, Voices 2, is releasing this month.

Listen as we discuss:

  • Max's story, and how and early love of music guided is future without hesitation
  • His partner, Yulia Mahr, who he's been with for 30 years (and some relationship advice)
  • His 8.5 hour masterpiece, Sleep, which served as a statement against living life on the hamster wheel
  • How Max's native language is music, and mine is math, and where those overlap.
  • Slowing down (of course)
  • The creative process behind composing his hit film soundtrack for Waltz with Bashir
  • His newest project, Voices, and Voices 2, dedicated to readings of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • The power of hearing the declaration in languages you don't understand
  • Voices 2, releasing this week, and why its structure leads us to dream of a better future
  • The difference between recording on tape vs. digital, and why tape feels 'alive.'

Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com/podcast

Connect with Max Richter on Facebook @maxrichtermusic, Instagram @maxrichtermusic, Twitter @maxrichtermusic, and his website, maxrichtermusic.com
 
Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Sunday and Thursday. Only with your

YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
X: @mgawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy