KatS-Chernin, Elena

KatS-Chernin, Elena , Uzbekistan-born Australian composer; b. Tashkent, Nov. 4, 1957. She emigrated with her family to Australia in 1975, where she studied piano and composition at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music in Sydney until 1980. In 1980 she went to Hannover to study with Helmut Lachenmann under the auspices of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst. After completing her studies in 1982, she remained in Germany and was active as an experimental theater performer. In 1994 she returned to Australia to concentrate on composition. Her music is an interesting eclectic mix of Western and Eastern European streams of the early to mid 20^th century era.

Works

dramatic:Coco’s Last Collection, dance theater for 2 Pianists and Dancer (1994); Iphis, opera (Sydney, Dec. 3, 1997); Matricide, opera (Melbourne, Nov. 27, 1998). orch.:Bienie (1979); Piano Concerto (1979); Stairs (1983); Transfer (1990); Retonica (1993; Sydney, Nov. 11, 1994); Zoom and Zip for Strings (1997; Canberra, May 23, 1998). chamber:In Tension for Violin, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, and Piano (1982); Duo I for Violin and Piano (1984); Tótschki: Dots for Oboe and Clarinet (1992; rev. 1995); Clocks for Chamber Ensemble and Tape (1993); Concertino for Violin and Chamber Ensemble (1994); Clip for Percussion (1994; rev. 1995); ProMotion for 6 Amplified Instruments (1995); Chamber of Horrors for Harp (1995); Cadences, Deviations, and Scarlatti for 14 Instruments (1995); Gypsy Ramble for Piano, Viola, and Cello (1996); Wild Rice for Cello (1996); Charleston Noir for String Quartet or Double Bass (1996); Russian Rag for Chamber Ensemble or Piano (1996); Hemispheres for Chamber Ensemble (1997); Umcha for Percussion Ensemble (1998). Piano: Various pieces, including rags.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire