Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1962

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Mary Finsterer is an Australian composer who was born on October 16, 1962, in Sydney, Australia. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her father being a jazz pianist and her mother a classical pianist. Finsterer began playing the piano at a young age and later studied composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Finsterer's early works were influenced by the minimalist movement, but she later developed her own unique style that incorporates elements of contemporary classical music, jazz, and world music. Her compositions often feature complex rhythms, intricate textures, and unconventional instrumentation. One of Finsterer's most notable works is her opera Biographica, which premiered in 2019 at the Sydney Opera House. The opera tells the story of the 16th-century alchemist and physician Paracelsus, and features a libretto by Tom Wright. Biographica received critical acclaim for its innovative use of multimedia and its powerful score. Another significant work by Finsterer is her orchestral piece Ignis, which was commissioned by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2013. The piece is inspired by the idea of fire and features a range of percussion instruments, including a flamenco cajón and a Japanese taiko drum. Finsterer has also composed a number of chamber works, including her String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Australian String Quartet and premiered in 2016. The piece explores the theme of transformation and features a range of extended techniques, such as bowing on the bridge and plucking the strings inside the piano. In addition to her work as a composer, Finsterer is also a respected educator and has taught at a number of institutions, including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the University of Technology Sydney. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Paul Lowin Prize for orchestral composition in 2018. Overall, Mary Finsterer is a highly regarded composer who has made significant contributions to the contemporary classical music scene in Australia and beyond. Her innovative and eclectic style has earned her a reputation as one of the most exciting and original voices in contemporary music today.

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