Thom Willems (1955-). Dutch composer and musician
Thom Willems is a Dutch composer who has worked prolifically for ballet, creating over 60 scores. He studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, and after studying composition with electronic music developed a style characterised by its modernity and rhythmic drive. He began working with choreographer William Forsythe at the Frankfurt Opera in 1984, and their early works together include In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, commissioned by Rudolf Nureyev for Paris Opéra Ballet, which has gone on to become a jewel of the contemporary repertoire. Other works include Impressing the Czar, Limb’s Theorem, The Second Detail, Herman Schmerman, Of Any If And, Pas./Parts and One Flat Thing, Reproduced. Alongside his work for ballet, Willems composes for art exhibitions such as the opening of Tate Modern in London in 2000, and also for fashion designers such as Issey Miyake and Gianni Versace.