Rozalie Hirs

Full biography Rozalie Hirs

Rozalie Hirs is a Dutch contemporary composer, poet, and lecturer known for her post-tonal compositions, multimedia works, and electro-acoustic music. She was born on April 7th, 1965, in Gouda, Netherlands, and studied composition with Louis Andriessen and Tristan Keuris at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.

Hirs has composed for various ensembles, from solo works to large orchestras, and has a particular interest in vocal music. Some of her notable compositions include "Roseherte" (2008), a song cycle for soprano, ensemble, and electronics, and "Arbre Généalogique" (2011), for large orchestra and double bass solo.

Hirs' works often incorporate multimedia elements, and she has collaborated with visual artists, choreographers, and scientists to create unique and multi-sensory experiences. In her work "Lichtende Drift," for example, she combines live electronics, light projections, and dance to explore the subconscious mind.

In addition to her compositional work, Hirs is also a published poet in both Dutch and English. She has published several poetry collections, including "Geluksbrenger" (1998) and "Logos Interruptus" (2010), and has incorporated poetry into her musical works.

Hirs has received numerous awards for her compositions, including the Matthijs Vermeulen Prize in 2011. She is also an active lecturer and has presented lectures on composition and music technology at various institutions, including the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris and Stanford University.

Overall, Rozalie Hirs is a leading figure in contemporary music, known for her innovative and multi-disciplinary approach to composition.