Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1970

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Katherine Dienes was born on August 23, 1951, in London, England. She grew up in a musical family, with her father being a church organist and her mother a singer. From a young age, Dienes showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano and singing in choirs. Dienes attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied composition with Alan Bush and conducting with Maurice Miles. She also studied at the University of London, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Arts degree in musicology. After completing her studies, Dienes began her career as a composer and conductor. She served as the director of music at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St. Edmunds, England, from 1983 to 1999. During her time there, she composed numerous works for the cathedral choir, including anthems, canticles, and hymns. One of Dienes' most notable works is her setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, which was commissioned by St. Edmundsbury Cathedral in 1992. The piece has since been performed by choirs around the world and is considered a modern classic of choral music. In addition to her work at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Dienes has also served as the director of music at the University of Essex and the University of East Anglia. She has conducted numerous choirs and orchestras, including the London Mozart Players, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Singers. Dienes' compositions are known for their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and intricate counterpoint. She has written works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, choirs, and chamber groups. Her music often draws on her love of nature and her deep spirituality. One of Dienes' most recent works is her setting of the Stabat Mater, which was commissioned by the choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, in 2018. The piece is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the suffering of Mary at the foot of the cross and has been praised for its emotional depth and musical complexity. Throughout her career, Dienes has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to music. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of East Anglia in 2000 and was made a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music in 2003. In 2018, she was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to music. Despite her many accomplishments, Dienes remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to compose and conduct, and her music is beloved by audiences around the world. Her legacy as a composer and musician is sure to endure for generations to come.

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