Sofia Gubaidulina was born in the Soviet Union, and she loved music even from a young age. She associated music with spirituality and some of her music is considered abstract. She used the musical technique of improvisation (meaning making up music on the spot) and sometimes she uses unconventional combinations of instruments, like a saxophone quartet! Gubaidulina is renowed across the world, and last year she received an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory!