Composer Max Richter was born in Germany in 1966 and grew up in the UK. He studied composition and piano at Edinburgh University, the Royal Academy of Music and in Florence with Luciano Berio. He then co-founded Piano Circus, a contemporary classical ensemble, where he stayed for ten years. His influences include both classical artists—Terry Riley, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, Iannis Xenakis, Brian Eno, Henry Purcell, John Taverner, Henryk Górecki, Michael Nyman—and electronica, early dance music, punk, psychedelia—The Clash, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk, Autechre, Boards of Canada.