Natasha Barrett

Natasha Barrett's (b. 1972) output spans the extremes of concert composition through to sound-art. Whether writing for live performers or electroacoustic forces, the focus of this work stems from an acousmatic approach to sound, the aural images it can evoke, and an interest in high quality or unusual recording techniques that reveal detail the ear will normally miss. The spatio-musical potential of acousmatic sound features strongly in her work. Since completing studies in England in 1998, which included working with…

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Natasha Barrett’s (b. 1972) output spans the extremes of concert composition through to sound-art. Whether writing for live performers or electroacoustic forces, the focus of this work stems from an acousmatic approach to sound, the aural images it can evoke, and an interest in high quality or unusual recording techniques that reveal detail the ear will normally miss. The spatio-musical potential of acousmatic sound features strongly in her work.

Since completing studies in England in 1998, which included working with BEAST and Jonty Harrison during a masters degree, and afterwards a doctoral degree supervised by Denis Smalley, Barrett currently lives in Norway and is active as a freelance composer, performer and researcher.

Barrett’s concert works are frequently performed and commissioned throughout the world. Her installations have been set-up in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Australia, and include a major work for the Norwegian state commission for art in public spaces. Her composition has received numerous recognitions, most notably with: Edvard Prize (2004, Norway), Noroit-Leonce Petitot (Arras, France, 2002 & 1998), Bourges International Electroacoustic Music Awards (France 2001, 1998 & 1995), Musica Nova (2001), IV CIMESP 2001, Concours Scrime, (France 2000), International Electroacoustic Creation Competition of Ciberart (Italy 2000), Concours Luigi Russolo (Italy 1995 & 1998), Prix Ars Electronica (Linz, Austria 1998), 9th International Rostrum for electoacoustic music (2002). In 2006 Barrett was awarded the Nordic Council Music Prize.

Her music is available on empreintes DIGITALes, Cultures electroniques/Mnemosyne Musique Media, Centaur, Computer Music Journal Sound Anthology, Prix Noroit, and Aurora labels.

2006