Elena Firsova

Full biography Elena Firsova

Elena Firsova is a Russian composer born on January 21, 1950, in Leningrad (now known as Saint Petersburg). She started playing the piano at an early age, and at the age of 15, she started learning composition lessons, where she studied with Galina Ustvolskaya and Boris Arapov.

Firsova's music is notable for its distinctive style, which combines elements of Russian Orthodox Church music with contemporary musical techniques. Her compositions often include complex harmonies and rhythmic structures, as well as intricate polyphony.

One of her earliest works is the String Quartet No. 1, which she completed in 1971. The piece was inspired by the poetry of Anna Akhmatova, and it features a highly intricate texture and a hauntingly beautiful melody.

Since then, Firsova has gone on to write a wide range of music, including symphonies, chamber music, piano pieces, and vocal works. She has won numerous awards and honors for her contributions to contemporary classical music, including the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung's Contemporary Music Prize (1996) and the Prix International Arthur Honegger (2001).

Firsova's music has been performed by many leading orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Her works are often featured in major international festivals, such as the Venice Biennale, the Salzburg Festival, and the Moscow Easter Festival.

In addition to her work as a composer, Firsova has also been a professor of composition at the Moscow Conservatory since 1995. Her legacy as a composer and educator has greatly enriched the world of contemporary classical music, and her contributions continue to inspire musicians and audiences alike.