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Annette Schlünz was a German classical music composer born on May 12, 1965, in Berlin, Germany. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her father being a pianist and her mother a violinist. From a young age, Schlünz showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Schlünz's parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She began taking piano lessons and later studied composition at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin. During her studies, Schlünz was mentored by renowned composers such as Hans Werner Henze and Wolfgang Rihm. Schlünz's early works were heavily influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg. Her compositions were characterized by their atonal and dissonant harmonies, complex rhythms, and unconventional forms. In 1990, Schlünz received her first major commission from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece, titled "Klangfarben," was a groundbreaking work that explored the timbral possibilities of the orchestra. The piece was well-received by critics and established Schlünz as a rising star in the contemporary classical music scene. Over the next decade, Schlünz continued to receive commissions from major orchestras and ensembles around the world. Her works were performed at prestigious venues such as the Salzburg Festival, the Lucerne Festival, and the Berliner Festspiele. One of Schlünz's most notable works from this period was "Lichtspiele," a multimedia work for orchestra, choir, and video projection. The piece was inspired by the films of German expressionist director Fritz Lang and explored the relationship between music and visual art. The piece was premiered at the Berliner Festspiele in 1998 and was later performed at the Venice Biennale. In the early 2000s, Schlünz's style began to shift towards a more tonal and accessible sound. Her works began to incorporate elements of traditional tonality and melody, while still retaining her signature harmonic complexity and rhythmic intricacy. One of Schlünz's most popular works from this period was "Konzert für Violine und Orchester," a concerto for violin and orchestra that premiered in 2005. The piece was praised for its lyrical melodies and virtuosic solo writing, and has since become a staple of the violin repertoire. In addition to her work as a composer, Schlünz was also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She taught composition at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler for over 20 years, and many of her students have gone on to successful careers in music. Tragically, Schlünz's career was cut short when she passed away in 2015 at the age of 50. However, her legacy as a pioneering composer and influential teacher lives on through her music and the countless musicians she inspired.

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