Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 30, 1932 in Houston, TX

Death

:

November 24, 2016 in Kingston, NY

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

Pauline Oliveros was an American composer, performer, and teacher who was born on May 30, 1932, in Houston, Texas. She was a pioneer in the field of electronic music and was known for her contributions to the development of experimental music, deep listening, and sonic meditations. Oliveros grew up in a musical family and began playing the accordion at a young age. She studied music at the University of Houston and later at San Francisco State University, where she earned a master's degree in composition. During her studies, she became interested in electronic music and began experimenting with tape recorders and other electronic equipment. In the 1960s, Oliveros became involved with the San Francisco Tape Music Center, a collective of composers and performers who were exploring new forms of electronic music. She co-founded the center's improvisation group, the Sonic Arts Union, and began performing and composing works that combined electronic and acoustic sounds. One of Oliveros's most famous works is "Deep Listening," a practice that she developed in the 1980s. Deep Listening involves listening to sounds in a focused and meditative way, with an emphasis on the physical and emotional sensations that arise from the experience. Oliveros believed that Deep Listening could help people connect with themselves, others, and the environment in a more profound way. Oliveros's compositions often incorporated elements of improvisation and chance, and she was known for her use of unconventional instruments and techniques. One of her most famous works is "The Well and the Gentle," a piece for accordion and tape that was inspired by the sounds of a well near her home in upstate New York. The piece features long, sustained tones and subtle shifts in texture and timbre, creating a meditative and introspective atmosphere. Another notable work by Oliveros is "Tuning Meditation," a piece that involves a group of people sitting in a circle and listening to each other's breathing and vocalizations. The group gradually tunes their voices to each other, creating a harmonious and meditative sound. Oliveros was also a prolific writer and educator, and she published several books on music and meditation. She taught at several universities, including the University of California, San Diego, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she founded the Deep Listening Institute. Throughout her career, Oliveros was a champion of experimental music and a pioneer in the field of electronic music. Her innovative compositions and practices continue to inspire musicians and artists around the world. She passed away on November 24, 2016, at the age of 84.

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