Birth

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May 11, 1955

 

Susan Stenger is a renowned American composer, musician, and sound artist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1955 in the United States, Stenger grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. Her father was a jazz musician, and her mother was a painter, which exposed her to different forms of art from an early age. Stenger began her musical journey as a bass player in the late 1970s, playing in various punk and post-punk bands in New York City. She was a member of the influential band Band of Susans, which was known for its unique blend of rock, noise, and avant-garde music. During her time with the band, Stenger developed a keen interest in experimental music and sound art, which would later become the focus of her career. In the 1990s, Stenger began to explore the possibilities of sound art and composition, creating works that combined elements of classical music, noise, and experimental sound. She collaborated with a range of artists and musicians, including choreographer Merce Cunningham, composer Rhys Chatham, and guitarist Thurston Moore. One of Stenger's most significant works is "The Art of Memory," a sound installation that was commissioned by the Tate Modern in London in 2004. The installation was a response to the museum's collection of works by the artist Joseph Beuys and explored the relationship between sound, memory, and art. The installation consisted of a series of speakers placed throughout the museum, each playing a different sound that was designed to evoke a particular memory or emotion. Stenger has also composed music for film and television, including the soundtrack for the documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" and the theme music for the television series "The L Word." Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and festivals around the world, including the Venice Biennale, the Whitney Biennial, and the Documenta festival in Kassel, Germany. In addition to her work as a composer and sound artist, Stenger is also a respected educator and writer. She has taught at a range of institutions, including the California Institute of the Arts and the University of California, San Diego. She has also written extensively on music and sound art, contributing to publications such as The Wire and Artforum. Stenger's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2010, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for her work in sound art, and in 2013, she was named a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome. Her work has also been recognized by the British Council, which awarded her a grant to support her work in the United Kingdom. Today, Stenger continues to push the boundaries of classical music and sound art, creating works that challenge our perceptions of sound and its relationship to art and memory. Her innovative approach to composition and sound has made her one of the most respected and influential figures in the world of classical music, and her work continues to inspire and influence a new generation of artists and musicians.

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