"If I were to just grab some names out of the "INSPIRATION" bag,
I would probably say: Rachmaninov, Shostakovitch, Prokofiev, Ravel, Stockhausen, Boulez, Berio, Globokar, Xenakis, Ligeti, Lutoslawski, Bach, Tom Waits, Garbage, David Bowie, Ennio Morricone. The list always fluctuates and gets longer and
shorter.
"I must say though that, while composing, I try not to listen too much to any
music, and don't have a chance really, it is too distracting. And, because I
compose constantly, I actually don't listen to music much at all. Only very
sporadically and mostly in concerts, almost never on CD's." -- EKC
Sounds Like
Her music is so easy to like and lots of fun for those who are just wetting their feet with contemporary concert music. Click HERE to find a live performance near you.
This official Elena Kats-Chernin myspace page is operated by colleagues at Elena Kats-Chernin's music publisher, Boosey & Hawkes, with input and collaboration from the composer herself. Read, listen, and enjoy!
Elena Kats-Chernin (1957- ), born in Tashkent, received her musical training
in Yaroslavl and Moscow before emigrating from the former Soviet Union to
Australia in 1975. She studied composition with Richard Toop, graduating in
1980, and then studied with Helmut Lachenmann in Hanover, Germany, with the assistance of a DAAD Fellowship. Whilst in Europe she composed for theatre and ballet in Germany.
Since returning to Australia in 1994, she wrote three operas, 2 piano concertos and works for many performers and ensembles, including Sydney Alpha Ensemble, Evelyn Glennie, Bang on a Can All-Stars, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. Her music has featured at the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
The score for the ballet "Wild Swans" choreographed by Meryl Tankard for the
Australian Ballet in 2003, won the Green Room Award as well as the Helpmann Award 2004 for the best original score. The music for the ballet was arranged by EKC into a concert suite for soprano and orchestra and in June 2005 released as a CD by ABC Classics.
Six portrait CD's of her music have been released so far:
"Clocks", ABC Classics,
"Unceremonious Processions", Wergo,
"Purple Black & Blues", Tall Poppies,
"Wild Swans", ABC Classics,
"Ragtime & Blue", Signum Records,
and "Chamber of Horrors," on Tall Poppies.
I just finished listening to your "Eliza Aria 'Wild Swans' ", and it put a bond between us that demanded that I tell you how very lovely, and scholarly, is this work!
When listening to some of the music (classified as "Classical") on the net today, I want to ask the composer, "Did you ever crack open a book on Counterpoint, or Harmony?"
I don't have to ask you about this training, as you obviously have it. And something else ... like you have a divine spark! I would love to hear your Chopin, AND Rachmaninoff! Do you play his G major Prelude? A dear friend gave me a recording of R. playing it, and also the G Minor Prelude. Never to be forgotten.
This little word to you, with affection, and best wishes!
Lovely surprise to find myself again added to your friends! You are such an inspiration as a composer, musician and as a mother. Your story of silence will stay with me forever, thankyou for doing that Jane
Hello!!! Thanks for adding me - a great pleasure to be your friend Do you, by any chance, have any pieces for mezzo-soprano and piano for performance in concerts? Have a WONDERFUL day!!! Marcus Tristan
Hi Elena, just stopping by to thank you for connecting and wish you a wonderful day. Marvelous singing and music, "Elisa Aria Wild Swans" and "Still life " are my faves. Cheers from Denmark, Rune :-)
Jane
Do you, by any chance, have any pieces for mezzo-soprano and piano for performance in concerts? Have a WONDERFUL day!!! Marcus Tristan
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