Yann Tiersen (born June 23 1970) is a French Avant-Garde/New Age Musician and composer known for his versatility, minimalist compositions, and virtuosity as a multi-instrumentalist. Most of his pieces include piano, accordion, melodica and violin, although many offer a much wider selection of instruments and sounds. Critics sometimes compare him to Erik Satie, Philip Glass, Nino Rota, Mogwai, Steve Reich, and the Penguin Café Orchestra for their musical proximity. Biography Tiersen was born in Brittany, France, in 1970 and received classical training at several musical academies, including those in Rennes, Nantes, and Boulogne. Before releasing scores under his own name, Tiersen recorded background music for a number of plays and short films, such as La Vie Rêvée des Anges (1998, Erick Zonca), Alice et Martin (1998, André Téchiné), Qui Plume la Lune? (Christine Carrière, 1999). He rose to domestic