Sufjan Stevens

b. 1975

American

Summary

Sufjan Stevens, a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer based in New York, is known for his poetic lyricism and diverse musical catalog. Notable recordings include Illinois, Seven Swans, The Age of Adz, and Carrie & Lowell. Stevens has composed for the New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and contributed music to television and film, including the Oscar and Grammy-nominated song "Mystery of Love" for Call Me By Your Name. His tenth and latest studio album, Javelin, has received widespread acclaim. In 2024 the Broadway musical, Illinoise, featuring music & lyrics by Stevens won a Tony for choreography by his frequent collaborator Justin Peck.

Biography

Stevens attended the Detroit Waldorf School, Petoskey High School and Interlochen Arts Academy, and graduated from Harbor Light Christian School. He then attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and then earned an MFA from The New School in New York City.

Stevens’ The BQE, symphonic and cinematic exploration of New York City's infamous Brooklyn–Queens Expressway originally manifested in the form of a live show, with an original film, directed and written by Stevens, accompanied by an orchestra performing a live soundtrack.The BQE won the 2008 Brendan Gill Prize and formed the orchestrated score for Justin Peck's dance creation for  In The Countenance of Kings for San Francisco Ballet in 2016.

Stevens’ Planetarium, a collaborative album with Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner and James McAlister imbued with themes of the cosmos, was released in 2017 to widespread critical praise.

Sufjan has collaborated with New York City Ballet’s Resident choreographer Justin Peck on four productions for the company: Year of the Rabbit (2012) and commissioned scores; Everywhere We Go (2014), The Decalogue (2017) and Principia (2019).  Reflections (2019) premiered with a commissioned score for two pianos by Houston Ballet which was swiftly followed by a New York City Center season lauding acclaim by The New York Times for the "beauty and charm" of Peck's choreography as well as Stevens' "romantically modernist études."

News

Performances

28th March 2025

PERFORMERS
A Far Cry
LOCATION
Groton Hill Music Center, Groton, MA, United States of America

29th March 2025

PERFORMERS
A Far Cry
LOCATION
Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory, Boston, MA, United States of America

Photos

Discography