Sofia Gubaidulina has died

One of the top living composers from the Soviet Union

The composer Sofia Gubaidulina has died, age 93, in Germany, where she she had moved in 1992. Her status as one of the Soviet Union’s more interesting and important composers was ironically cemented when she was included in Khrennikov's Seven. a list of seven composers denounced in 1979 by Tikhon Khrennikov.

The New York Times has an interesting and well-researched obituary by Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, which includes this anecdote:

Her teachers included Yuri Shaporin and Nikolai Peiko, an assistant of Shostakovich. In 1959, Peiko introduced his student to Shostakovich. After hearing Ms. Gubaidulina’s music, Shostakovich told her: “Don’t be afraid to be yourself. My wish for you is that you should continue on your own, incorrect way.”

Gramophone has posted an appreciation. You can also read the Wikipedia article.