Kaija Saariaho

"I use the computer to extend my instrumental writing. When I do sound synthesis, it's to realize certain ideas that I cannot realize with the instruments alone..."

Composer of music for orchestra and instrumental ensembles, often with electronics and multimedia, Kaija Saariaho has created major works for the ballet and opera.

Her work has been premiered by the Kronos Quartet, Gidon Kremer, Dawn Upshaw, Ensemble Intercontemporain, and New York Philharmonic, and performed at the BBC Proms, Wien Modern Festival, and Salzburg Festival at venues in Helsinki, Los Angeles, and around the world. She has received commissions from Lincoln Center, Salzburg Festival, Théâtre du Châtelet, and Santa Fe Opera and has been awarded the Kranichsteiner Preis (Darmstadt), the Prix Italia, Ars Electronica Prize, and Nordic Music Prize.

Kaija Saariaho currently lives and works in Paris and travels widely.