Daniel Kidane studied composition first at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, then later at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) with Gary Carpenter and David Horne, and at the Guildhall with Julian Anderson. He is currently Visiting Tutor in Composition at both the RNCM and Cambridge University.

A passionate champion of equality and diversity in classical music, many of his works draw inspiration from contemporary life and politics, including Sirens (2016, written to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death), which soaks up the sounds, music and energy of a trawl through Manchester’s nightlife; the jubilant Awake, written for the 2019 BBC Proms, which captures a soundworld full of hope and openness; and The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash (2020) commissioned, along with lyrics by Simon Armitage, by Huddersfield Choral Society in response to the Covid pandemic.

Other notable works include the intimate song-cycle Songs of Illumination (2018), setting poetry by William Blake; and the recent Aloud, first performed in March 2024 by soloist Julia Fischer, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Edward Gardner – an unconventional and visceral violin concerto that gives expression to the composer’s feelings towards world events at the time.

Daniel's Kidane's Christus Factus Est features in the annual Aldeburgh Festival Service.

Kidane's etudes form part of an entrancing programme specially curated for the Festival by acclaimed pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen.

The Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra performs Kidane's Sirens, in a programme which pairs renowned tenor Allan Clayton and conductor Edward Gardner.

Kidane's Awake features in a special concert from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor Sakari Oramo, for whom the piece was originally composed.

The Carducci Quartet performs the world premiere of a brand new quartet from Kidane.

Kidane's moving Covid piece, The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash, features in a feast of choral music from BBC Singers and conductor Sofi Jeannin.

Tenor Nick Pritchard and pianist Ian Tindale join forces for the world premiere of Kidane's recent cycle Songs of Illumination.

Internationally-acclaimed cellist Alisa Weilerstein plays parts 1–3 of Kidane's Sarabande.

A centrepiece of Daniel Kidane’s presence in the Festival as the charismatic Brazilian violinist Nathan Amaral performs Kidane’s major work Aloud, accompanied by the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra.