(January 31, 1937- )
Resides in New York CityWrote the operas 'Einstein on the Beach (1976),' 'Satyagraha (1980),' 'Akhnaten (1984),' 'The Making of the Representative for Planet 8 (1988)' and 'La belle et la bete (1994),' as well as symphonies and chamber music
Scored the films 'Koyaanisqatsi (1983),' 'Hamburger Hill (1987),' 'Powaqqatsi (1988),' 'The Thin Blue Line (1988),' 'A Brief History of Time (1991),' 'Candyman (1992),' 'Candyman II: Farewell to the Flesh (1995),' 'Bent (1997),' 'Kundun (1997),' 'Naqoyqatsi (2002),' 'The Hours (2002),' 'The Fog of War (2003)' and 'Secret Window (2004)'
Composed music for the Atlanta Olympics (1996)
Chairman of the Board of 'Tricycle: The Buddhist Review'
Second cousin of Ira Glass

His minimalist style can be monotonous his minimalist style can be monotonous his minimalist style can be monotonous his minimalist style can be monotonous...
Although he is obviously a minimalist, he rejects the label.
Some of his operas are written in kooky languages like Akkadian and Ancient Egyptian.
He is one of the rich Western Buddhists who claim to have deep inner understanding of Asian peasant life.
He gets all worked up about Asian politics.
He is divorced.

He is probably the most famous modern composer of 'serious' classical music.
His music is often more accessible than that of other composers.
He introduced ideas from African and Indian folk music into the classical idiom.
He is a much sought after film composer.
He is the only classical composer to have been a musical guest on 'Saturday Night Live.'
He was parodied on 'South Park.'

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro

http://www.amiannoying.com/view.aspx?ID=11999

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For 2009, as of last week, Out of 199 Votes: 67.34% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 90 Votes: 62.22% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 123 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 144 Votes: 67.36% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 219 Votes: 60.73% Annoying
In 2004, Out of 121 Votes: 50.41% Annoying

• Critic's Choice's Best Composer (Ranked: 2006)
• Film Composers
• I am a Buddhist
• I Attended Juilliard
• I Attended University of Chicago
• Last Names that Rhyme with Dirty Words
• Linda Ronstadt Sang on My Album
• Opera Singers and Composers
• Profiles 11751-12000 (Ranked: 11999)
• Rate Your Music Top 100 Albums [2000] (Ranked: 85)
• Satirized on South Park
• Saturday Night Live Hosts [1985-89] (Ranked: 1986)
• Saturday Night Live Musical Guests [1985-89] (Ranked: 1985)
• Sourpuss Faces
• Stars of Horror Films
• Stephen King Films
• Vaginal Names
• Wieland Kalligaro's Profiles [Series 3]