Nicholas Snowman, A Life in Music explores the career of one of contemporary music’s influential cultural leaders and visionary administrators. In 1968, Snowman co-founded the London Sinfonietta with David Atherton, launching the ensemble with an ambitious debut featuring the world premiere of Sir John Tavener’s The Whale. This pioneering group became a driving force in shaping the landscape of new music in Britain and beyond.

Snowman’s impact extended to the world stage when he was invited by Pierre Boulez, at the request of French President Georges Pompidou, to help establish IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique) in Paris. Serving as artistic director from 1972 to 1986, Snowman’s leadership positioned IRCAM as a hub for avant-garde innovation in acoustics, music research, and creation.

In 1976, Snowman, Boulez, and Culture Minister Michel Guy co-founded the Ensemble Intercontemporain, a groundbreaking ensemble dedicated to the performance and promotion of today’s composers. 

Through his tireless dedication and visionary leadership, Nicholas Snowman revolutionized how contemporary music is performed, experienced, and understood. Nicholas Snowman, A Life in Music shines a spotlight on his extraordinary journey from London to Paris and celebrates his lifelong commitment to artistic excellence and innovation—an enduring legacy that continues to shape the world of music today.