Torben’s unique musical voice grows out of his passion for building worlds and collaborating with innovative and powerful artists.
As resident composer for award-winning choreographer Botis Seva and his company, Far From The Norm, Torben is a leading figure in UK Hip Hop dance theatre. Their collaboration ‘BLKDOG’ won the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production and continues to tour internationally. Other collaborators include some of the most exciting choreographers and companies working in dance today such as: Nederlands Dans Theater, Ivan Michael Blackstock (‘Traplord’ - 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production), James Cousins, Scottish Dance Theatre, National Youth Dance Company, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, Kwame Asajo-Adjei, Matthew Robinson (National Dance Company Wales).
Torben has also worked with a number of London-based vocal artists, producing the break out single ‘Creeping’ for the critically acclaimed Obongjayar.
“When the pulse of Torben Sylvest’s music begins to change, a spirit of rebellion stirs.”
THE GUARDIAN
“Until We Sleep featured one of the most exceptional scores and most effective uses of lighting I have experienced. The biting, ethereal sound, designed by Torben Lars Sylvest, sounded incredible. It felt as if the noises were being produced centimeters from the ear; it was raw and you could feel and hear the care that went into Sylvests’ production. Ranging from a variety of percussion and wind instruments, to whispers of lost voices, abrasive hitting and knocking noises, doors closing and creaking. The score was visceral, and the Far From Norm dancers corresponded to every single breath, beat and note.”
JADAR ★★★★★
“Sylvest’s score deserves special praise for how it elevates the entire production. The music alternates between ominous electronic drones and almost unbearable silence, with occasional bursts of distorted melody that feel like radio signals from some distant, better world. One particularly brilliant sequence features nothing but the sound of a metronome gradually speeding up until it triggers panic, mirroring society's relentless demands for productivity even as our bodies rebel. The sound design is so immersive that at certain points, I could swear I felt the bass vibrations in my teeth.”
THEATRE & TONIC
“Sylvest’s score was a fascinating mix of woodwind, piano and strings with a heavy foot-tapping (or rather chest-palpitating) beat with a few dog whistles and indistinguishable spoken text thrown in. It was a fascinating anthemic mix that I would really like to hear again”
BACHTRACK