Elena Kats-Chernin Essentials

A postmodernist through and through, Elena Kats-Chernin writes music that's cheekily clever and beautifully winding. Having grown up in the Soviet Union, migrated to Australia in 1975, and studied with Helmut Lachenmann in Germany, her geographic diversity gives her a wholly unique musical voice. Her reworkings of themes by Bach (“From Anna Magdalena's Notebook”) are jazzy and colourful; her “Slicked Back Tango” bends and flourishes with polished charm. Tracks like “Butterflying” and “Piano Tower” call to mind the work of Philip Glass, but bring their own style to the table.