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Chiyoko Szlavnics is a Canadian composer of contemporary classical music. She was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1948 and grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Szlavnics began her musical studies at a young age, learning piano and violin. She later studied composition at the University of British Columbia and the University of California, San Diego. Szlavnics' music is characterized by its use of microtonality and just intonation, as well as its exploration of the acoustic properties of sound. Her compositions often feature long, sustained tones and subtle changes in pitch and timbre. Szlavnics has been influenced by the work of composers such as La Monte Young, James Tenney, and Alvin Lucier. One of Szlavnics' most notable works is "During a Lifetime," a piece for string quartet that was commissioned by the Bozzini Quartet in 2007. The piece is based on a series of just intonation ratios and features slowly shifting harmonies and textures. "During a Lifetime" has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world and has received critical acclaim for its innovative use of tuning systems. Another important work by Szlavnics is "Gradients of Detail," a piece for solo piano that was commissioned by pianist Eve Egoyan in 2013. The piece is based on a series of microtonal intervals and explores the subtle variations in pitch and timbre that can be achieved on the piano. "Gradients of Detail" has been praised for its intricate textures and delicate beauty. Szlavnics has also written several works for large ensembles, including "Sustain," a piece for orchestra that was commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 2014. The piece features long, sustained tones and explores the acoustic properties of the orchestra as a whole. "Sustain" has been described as a "meditative" and "hypnotic" work that invites the listener to lose themselves in its slowly shifting harmonies. In addition to her work as a composer, Szlavnics has also been active as a performer and curator. She has performed as a violinist and has curated several concerts and festivals of contemporary music. Szlavnics has been a resident composer at several institutions, including the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart, Germany. Overall, Chiyoko Szlavnics is a composer whose work is characterized by its innovative use of tuning systems and exploration of the acoustic properties of sound. Her compositions are often meditative and hypnotic, inviting the listener to lose themselves in their slowly shifting harmonies and textures. Szlavnics' work has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world and has received critical acclaim for its beauty and originality.

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