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Composer  

 

Natacha Diels is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1981 in California, USA. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a composer. From a young age, Diels was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano and flute. She also showed an interest in experimental music and electronic music, which would later influence her compositions. Diels attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied flute performance and composition. She later earned a Master's degree in composition from the University of California, San Diego. During her studies, Diels was drawn to the works of composers such as John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Morton Feldman, who were known for their experimental and avant-garde approaches to music. After completing her studies, Diels began composing her own works, which often incorporated elements of electronic music, improvisation, and performance art. Her compositions were characterized by their unconventional structures, use of extended techniques, and incorporation of found objects and everyday sounds. One of Diels' most notable works is "The Pleasure of Being Lost," which was commissioned by the International Contemporary Ensemble and premiered in 2013. The piece is a multimedia work that combines live performance with pre-recorded sounds and video projections. It explores themes of memory, identity, and the experience of being lost. Another notable work by Diels is "The Nervous Supernova," which was commissioned by the Mivos Quartet and premiered in 2015. The piece is a string quartet that incorporates electronic sounds and live processing. It explores the idea of a supernova as a metaphor for the explosive energy of the human nervous system. In addition to her work as a composer, Diels is also a performer and improviser. She has performed with a number of ensembles, including the International Contemporary Ensemble, Wet Ink Ensemble, and Ensemble Pamplemousse. She is also a co-founder of the experimental music collective Ensemble Pamplemousse, which is known for its interdisciplinary approach to music-making. Diels has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2016 and a Fromm Foundation Commission in 2017. Her compositions have been performed at venues and festivals around the world, including the Venice Biennale, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, and the Darmstadt Summer Courses. Overall, Natacha Diels is a composer who has made significant contributions to the field of contemporary classical music. Her works are characterized by their experimental and interdisciplinary approach, and she has been recognized for her innovative and boundary-pushing compositions.

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