Selected reviews
“One of the most original and consistent thinkers about music”
— Berliner Zeitung“Michel van der Aa fascinates... important is the high quality of the notes themselves, possessing a highly concentrated, sublime sharpness and a taut beauty, both mechanical and human.”
— NRC Handelsblad“Michel van der Aa is the hottest property in Dutch music at the moment”
— The Guardian“The highlight of this Donaueschingen Musiktage…The music flows organically and is of exquisite simplicity”. (Here [to be found])
— Die Welt“Van der Aa's skill at combining film and operatic action is breathtaking. Van der Aa has already established himself as the forerunner of a new generation of composers who think in video as well as in audio terms. 'After Life' is a masterpiece. ”
— Het Parool"By far the most gripping piece was 'Imprint' by the young Dutch sensation Michel van der Aa"
— The Times"Balanced between experimentation and the senses"
— La Libre“Contemporary king...virtuosic musical creation and dramatic presentation... I can imagine van der Aa will dominate European contemporary music in the near future.”
— The Budapest Sun“Here Trilogy was a genuine revelation...One of the most gripping Ars Musica moments of the last three years."
— De Standaard“Cutting-edge European concert music...fresh, uncompromising and boundary expanding"
— All Music Guide“'After Life' succeeds not so much because of its plot but because of the ingenious way its component parts are assembled. Van der Aa has put together a whimsical collage of transparent layers, part documentary film, part philosophy, part feel-good fantasy narrative. Van der Aa, stage director and mastermind as well as composer, pushes the boundaries of all of his media. This is the Gesamtkunst of the future. ***** [FIVE STARS]”
— Financial Times“Michel van der Aa writes music that is similar in its effect to photography...music as an art of time is detached from time itself...the impression of the music is strong and emotionally draining." (Here Trilogy)
— Berliner Zeitung“Van der Aa's music is dense, gritty and uncompromising...the overall effect was compelling” (Here Trilogy)
— The Australian“Perfect and emotionally balanced...emotion and superior technique exactly form the grandiose combination that rules in Van der Aa’s composing...virtuosic use of electronics...a work full of fantasy that always sounds apparent and striking but also always surprises” (Second Self)
— De Telegraaf“Michel van der Aa translates his subject matter in a remarkable manner - separation, paralysis, isolation, fracture...he suggests with snapping noises, sudden breaks and unexpected flashbacks an unstable control of reality that increasingly shows signs of cracking." (Here Trilogy)
— Der Tagesspiegel