Saariaho, Kaija (1952–)

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Saariaho, Kaija (1952–)

Finnish composer. Born Kaija Anneli Laakkonen, Oct 14, 1952, in Helsinki, Finland; Sibelius Academy, BA, 1980 (studied under Paavo Heininen); Freiburg University, composition diploma, 1983; attended courses in computer music at IRCAM in Paris; m. Jean-Baptiste Barrière (French composer).

With other young Finnish composers and musicians, helped found the pro-Modernist Korvat auki! (Ears open!) society; moved to Paris (1982), where she remained; came to international prominence with Verblendungen (orchestra and tape, 1982–84) and Lichtbogen (ensemble and electronics, 1985–86); awarded the Kranichsteiner Prize in Darmstadt (1986) and Prix Italia (1988), for Stilleben; composed the solo song cycle Lonh (soprano and electronics, 1996), which was awarded the Nordic Music Prize (2000); works performed at concerts worldwide, including Savonlinna Opera Festival (1986), London (1989), Jakarta (1989), Paris (1989, 1991) and Vienna (1993); served as professor of composition at Sibelius Academy (1997–98); premiered 1st opera L'amour de loin to great acclaim at Salzburg Festival in Austria (2000).