I love sound. All kinds of sound. I'm constantly fascinated by the sound that the world has to offer - nature, culture, people, places; nuances, human expressions, performers and their instruments, and the distinctive ambiance of different spaces. I want to harness the energy, beauty and unique edgy rawness of these sounds, which all find their place in the grand scheme of music. Maybe not surprisingly I also love silence. In silence I find my imagination.
Over the years my work has ventured along many paths, encompassing not only the acousmatic and live electroacoustic works that feature in most of my concerts. These paths feel like they all add to the map of what it means for me to be a composer: Site-specific sound-art installations designed to resonate with each space. Collaborations with scientists and the use of scientific data as a source for both musical and scientific exploration. Experiments with the public and their curiosity to engage in interactive technologies. Working with AI and keeping apace of the pros and cons. Being in awe of computer art gurus that I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with, and my own work with visual art and real-time computer graphics. Collaborations with music technology experts and engineers who have generously passed on knowledge and engaged in important discussions about the coexistence of art and technology. And not least, wanting to balance music research, composition, teaching and performance.
Biog (1035 characters).
Natasha Barrett (NO/UK) is a composer, new media artist and researcher. She creates acousmatic, electronic, and live-electroacoustic music, public-space sound installations and audiovisual works. She is widely recognised for her artistic exploration of 3D sound and ambisonics. Her work is commissioned and performed worldwide and has received awards in over 30 international competitions, including the most prestigious prize available for Nordic composers, the Nordic Council Music Prize.
In addition to her solo career, she regularly collaborates with performers, visual artists, architects, and scientists, often drawing on data emulating or created by real-world processes as a source for artistic exploration. Some of the highlights include 3D audiovisual artworks with the USA-based OpenEndedGroup, science-art sonification in collaboration with geoscientists, and live electronics collaborations with many soloists and ensembles.
She has held professorships and research positions in Norway and Denmark and now works freelance.
Prizes and awards
2025 ISCM World Music Days, Lisboa, 2025 (PT)
2024 Destellos Competition pre-selection (AR).
2024 ISAC 2024 / International Sonosfere Ambisonics Competition (IT / FR)
2024 Nordic Music Days, Glasgow (UK).
2024 Ars Electronics Forum Wallis landemerkeverk av elektronisk musikk for 2024 (AT).
2024 Mixtur Festival Commission Award for 2024/2025 (ES).
2023 Norsk Komponistforening Årets verk 2022 (for Altered States 1 & 2).
2023 Thomas Seelig Fixed Media Award (DE). Ærespris.
2022 Nordic Music Days, (IS).
2021 Coastal Futures Ecoacoustic Music Competition (USA).
2020 ISCM World Music Days, Norsk nominasjon.
2019 ISCM World Music Days, Norsk nominasjon.
2019 Nordic Music Days, (NO)
2018 TEM - Taukay Edizioni Musicali and Delta Produzioni Associazione Culturale international composition. competition "Città di Udine” (IT). Førstepremie.
2018 Spellemannprise (NO), nominasjon.
2017 Prix Ars Electronica (AT). «Honorary mention».
2008 Giga-Hertz Prize (DE).
2008 35e Concours International de Musique Electroacoustique, Bourges, (FR).
2006 Nordic Council Music Prize, Nordic Countries.
2006 33e Concours International de Musique Electroacoustique, Bourges, (FR).
2004 Edvard Prize (NO).
2002 Euphonie D’Or des Concours International de Musique Electroacoustique, Bourges (FR).
2002 9th Prix international Noroit-Léonce Petitot, (FR). Jury og publikums premie.
2002 International Rostrum for Electroacoustic music, UNESCO / European Broadcasting Union. Førstepremier i både generell kategori og kategori for under 30-årene.
2001 28e Concours International de Musique Electroacoustique (FR)
2001 Musica Nova Electroacoustic Music Competition, (CZ).
2001 4th CIMESP International Electroacoustic Composition, (BR).
1999 Ciber@RT International Festival of New Technologies (ES).
2000 Prix SCRIME, Bordeaux, (FR).
1998 25e Concours International de Musique Electroacoustique, Bourges, (FR).
1998 Prix Ars Electronica, (AT). «Honorary mention».
1998 5th Prix international Noroit-Léonce Petitot, Arras, (FR).
1998 20 ème Concours Luigi Russolo, (IT).
1995 22e Concours International de Musique Electroacoustique, (FR).
1995 17 ème Concours Luigi Russolo, (IT).