A French composer born in 1951 in Nogent-sur-marne.
Mainly self-taught as a composer, Bernard Cavanna was encouraged in this path by Henri Dutilleux, Paul Méfano and Georges Aperghis. He has been strongly influenced by the music and thought of the Romanian composer Aurèle Stroë. His music is remarkable æsthetically for an eclecticism associating a popular tone, a romantic heritage and modern academic traditions. His works include Io (1980), La confession impudique (1988), Fauve (1994), Messe, un jour ordinaire (1994), Violin Concerto (2000), Trio with accordion n° 2 (2004), Shangaï Concerto (2007), Zaïde actualités (2005), Trois strophes sur le nom de Patrice Lumumba (2008). He has also worked for the stage, dance and cinema. He has been the director of the École Nationale de Musique de Gennevilliers (1987-2018) and is president of the ensemble 2e2m.