An American composer who has written works for concert orchestra, film, and theater, among other varied media, Michael Abels is most widely known for his suspenseful, often-jarring horror scores for director Jordan Peele. Recognized in classical circles for merging elements of popular music into orchestral classical pieces such as Global Warming (1991) and Delights & Dances (2007), he made his big-screen debut with Peele's 2017 film Get Out. Their third hit collaboration, Nope, saw release in 2022.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in rural South Dakota, Abels began taking...