Ms. Gubaidulina explored religion and mysticism in avant-garde compositions inspired by poetry, ancient texts and her spiritual journey since the Soviet era.

One of the first modern women composers to reach international acclaim, Gubaidulina wrote bold music, inspired by Eastern and Western philosophies, and the joy of sound itself.

Blacklisted at home but finding acclaim abroad, she sought to bridge East and West, the sacred and the secular, in vivid, colorful compositions.

Sofia Gubaidulina spent the last 33 years of her life in Germany Legendary avant-garde composer Sofia Gubaidulina has died in Germany, where she spent more than 30 years of her life after the break-up of the Soviet Union.