Toni Castells is a Spanish composer, educator and researcher whose work bridges music, technology and human wellbeing.

Classically trained from a young age, he combined Conservatoire studies with conventional education, graduating as an MEng Electronic Engineer (High Distinction) from La Salle Barcelona. He later relocated to London, where he developed his career as a composer while also shaping music technology education and research at the London College of Music and Imperial.

At Imperial, Toni has been leading for over 20 years within the Imperial Horizons programme, one of the most popular and oversubscribed initiatives in the university’s Humanities offering. His course focuses on creativity at the heart of one of the world’s leading STEM institutions, helping students not only become more creative, but also discover their unique artistic and personal voice, an increasingly vital skill in today’s world.

Alongside teaching, Toni is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), researching how musical rhythms can entrain and maximise heart rate variability (HRV) to reduce chronic stress. His work sits at the intersection of music, neuroscience and longevity, exploring the profound link between mental health and music.

As a composer, his music is highly transcendental, aiming to raise consciousness and awareness while connecting listeners with their true essence. With a cinematic quality reminiscent of Hans Zimmer and the contemplative depth of Max Richter, his work invites audiences on immersive inner journeys. His collaborations span from working with legendary tenor Plácido Domingo and chart-topping soprano Hayley Westenra to Grammy-winning producer Michael Haas, alongside some of the most remarkable soloists of his generation, such as soprano Meeta Raval—praised by The Guardian as ‘a voice of pure gold’—and internationally acclaimed pianist José Menor.

In addition to his artistic output, Toni has written music for film, theatre, video games and art installations at iconic venues such as the Saatchi Gallery in London and the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. He is also a passionate conservationist, having collaborated with charities like Oceanic Global, with his music performed at emblematic venues including the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

His work has received wide recognition. The Guardian named 2045: The Year Man Becomes Immortal one of “Five of the Best Classical Concerts” in 2016. His music has been performed at Kings Place, Union Chapel, LSO St Luke’s and St James’s Piccadilly. Critics have described his music as “Morricone meets Satie” (Michael Haas, Grammy-winning producer), “Massive Attack meets Mendelssohn” (London Tourdates) and “Puccini meets Sigur Rós” (Magnatune, US label).

Toni Castells is signed to AWAL.

“Morricone meets Satie”

”In truth, it's far more subtle than that, and I would also add the unfamiliar name of Reynaldo Hahn.
Other obvious names are people like Henryk Górecki or Philip Glass, but these are perhaps too obvious.

Morricone I believe, comes to mind because there is a cinematic vividness to Toni´s music that, like his,
exudes expanse and distance. It's dramatic and seems to come from distant times and places.
Satie because I feel there is a certain painful nostalgia. And Reynaldo Hahn is relevant because, unlike Satie,
he was a more sophisticated cultivator of melancholy and, frankly, more serious as a composer.

The Glass and Górecki comparisons are simplistic and have to do mostly with operatic voices singing vocalises in many of his compositions (so does Freddie Mercury in 'Barcelona'!).

Other obvious film composers who may be worth mentioning as possible references are Angelo Badalamenti
or even Mark Knopfler. I don't think either of those two counts as 'classical'.”

Michael Haas

Grammy-winning producer behind iconic recordings of Zubin Mehta, Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniel Barenboim, Cecilia Bartoli, and Luciano Pavarotti.

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