Elena Kats-Chernin was born 1957 in the former Soviet Union in Tashkent, now the capital of Uzbekistan. She studied at the Sobinov Conservatory in Yaroslavl and the Gnessin State Musical College in Moscow, and migrated to Australia in 1975 to continue her studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. After graduation she lived in Europe for thirteen years, composing for state theatres in Berlin, Vienna and Hamburg.
Since returning to Australia Kats-Chernin has written several operas, two piano concertos, three silent film soundtracks, and numerous chamber works. She has won numerous composition prizes in Australia, and her pieces are regularly heard on Australia’s Classic FM Radio. Her music was featured at the opening ceremonies of both the 2000 Olympics and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Her music includes influences Eastern Europe, French impressionism, and the Italian Baroque. She has won numerous composition prizes in Australia, and her pieces are regularly heard on Australia’s Classic FM Radio. Kats-Chernin was named Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019.
