Renate Birnstein

Renate Maria Birnstein (born 17 November 1946) is a German composer, violinist and pianist. She was born in Hamburg, and studied at the Hochschule fur Musik with Diether de la Motte and György Ligeti, receiving her diploma in composition and piano in 1973. After completing her studies, Birnstein took a position teaching at the Hochschule fur Musik in Hamburg. Birnstein won the 1983 Prix de Rome. Her music has been performed internationally. Her work is completely committed to the ideals of the new music. She prefers small forms in which the musical material is freely processed according to a strict concept. Biography Renate Birnstein was born in Hamburg in 1946. She received her first violin lessons at the age of seven and began composing. Later, she switched to the viola and, at thirteen, despite her family’s initial incomprehension, also began piano lessons. Support was primarily provided for her through creative opportunities, such as those offered by a Waldorf school. As a violist, she was able to participate in numerous ensembles and school orchestras. After a period of writing, she devoted herself entirely to composition from the age of seventeen, becoming particularly intere