Biography
Born in 1994 in Lisbon, Portugal, I am a biologist with a master's degree in Neuroscience. Alongside my scientific career, I have a strong passion for music. I received classical piano training at the Academia de Música de Elvas, where I studied for five years. Since then, I have continued to expand my expertise into music production. My work includes composing and producing music for various media, ranging from documentaries to institutional and educational content.
Documentaries
Silvestres
Silvestres explores the efforts of a dedicated team working to bring biodiversity back to life, showing how tradition and progress can coexist in harmony. In this documentary, I had the privilege of collaborating with the talented Rikkyu to create an original soundtrack that echoes the heart of a community striving to balance urban growth with the restoration of nature. The film has been an Official Selection at numerous film festivals and showcased at national exhibitions.
Malcata: The Tale of a Lonely Mountain Range
In Malcata: The Tale of a Lonely Mountain Range, I contributed with my first original soundtrack. Set in one of Portugal's most forgotten regions, this documentary captures the deep connection between man and the natural world, treating humanity as just another feature of the landscape. I resorted to using an echoing piano throughout the soundtrack to represent the vast emptiness of this fragile and deeply connected space. It received great national and international recognition in festivals, airing on national TV and showcased globally.
Institutional
Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon
In this video, I was invited to revisit the Faculty of Science at the University of Lisbon, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in Biology. Creating this soundtrack was a special journey, allowing me to revisit the place where I spent some of my best years and met unforgettable people.
Land Under Pressure
I composed the music for a video promoting Land Under Pressure, a project led by the Center for Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Changes (cE3c). The project addresses critical issues like desertification and climate change resilience, and it was an inspiring experience to contribute to a cause that seeks to protect and sustain these vital ecosystems.
Other
Stay Safe Project
This short documentary entitled Stay Safe, talks about a project funded by the European Union to raise awareness and educate women with disabilities on responding to sexual harassment and violence. My inspiration to this music came from the image of a seed enduring the hardships of winter in a cold, desolate landscape. Despite the adversities it endured, eventually it flourished into something new. This metaphor resonated with the stories shared in the project, giving voice to the women who face these challenges daily.
Making of: Terra Amarela
I was asked to create the music for the making-of video for Terra Amarela, a short film set in a remote and inhospitable land with its own rules. The film explores the clandestine transactions of women across invisible borders in an increasingly globalized world. The story left a deep impact on me, inspiring perhaps one of my favorite compositions - a piece with a dark tone filled with despair but also laced with a glimpse of hope.
Contacts and links
Feel free to explore more of my work in Soundcloud and Vimeo or reach out for collaboration and inquiries using the icons below.
Copyright © 2024 by Miguel M. Pinheiro