Donemus Webwinkel — Anastassiou, Christos

Christos Sp. Anastassiou (MA) Composer – Conductor, Professor of Composition – was born, lives and works in Athens. Initially, he studied Advanced Theory of Music (with Al. Laskaridis, Ath. Papanikolaou and K. Kydoniatis,) and graduated from the Apollonio and Hellenic Conservatories in Athens, receiving degrees in Harmony, Counterpoint, and Fugue with an unanimous grade of Excellent.
At the same time he studied kinesiology and orchestra conducting with Lefteris Xalkiadakis, and also double bass, electric bass and piano. He continued his studies in Composition and Orchestra Conducting with Theodore Antoniou (National Conservatory of Athens) and graduated with a Diploma in Composition with unanimously excellency, and a Diploma in Orchestra Conducting.
He completed his studies in Composition, Analysis, Conducting, and Electronic Music at the University of Belgrade (Srdjan Hofman, Zoran Eric), from where he graduated with a Master of Arts (MA 1997) (Composition and Orchestra Conducting).
In addition, studies and seminars in electroacoustic music, programming & music using computers, Algorithmic Composition, Acoustic Music, Spectral Music, Set Theory, Pitch Class Sets, live and interactive electronic music and analysis of sound composition techniques in various seminars and academies in Europe (Vassilia, Zurich).
He attended (1992-93) the series of Music Informatics seminars at the Center for Contemporary Music Research (K.SY.M.E.), in collaboration with the Columbia University Music Research Center on the topic "Music through programming" and various composition and music notation seminars.
He has conducted various orchestral and vocal ensembles in concerts in Greece and abroad and also in recordings in various studios. He has been honored with important distinctions for his work. ALEA III International Composition Competition, OLYMPIA International Composition Competition of the A' Program of the Greek Radio&Television, 3rd Belgrade Contemporary Music Festival, Taukay International Contemporary Music Competition in Italy, OUAEMF International Electroacoustic Music Festival in Osaka, Japan, etc.
A prolific composer whose compositional work covers a wide range of contemporary music and includes -so far- 144 works such as string quartets, concerts for various instruments and orchestra, works for chamber orchestra and symphonic music, works for voice and solo instruments, choral music, music for theater, electro-acoustic music projects and mixed media compositions with acoustic instruments and computer (mixed media composition), as well as sound processing with samplers and other digital sound applications (Logic, Ableton, Max, Super Collider, etc.) for stereo and multi-channel systems.
The multidimensional sound organization, the search and application of new methods and new timbres through continuous review, investigation of the physical qualities of sound and its different ways of production, lead him to revisions of his musical language and aesthetic approaches which is what he requests in each of his new works.
The in-depth exploration of music and the learning of some programming environments and tools, help him to constantly expand his horizon, to perceive and understand the world of sounds.
An important direction of his creative journey is also electroacoustic music and in general electronic processes shaped and determined by the use of computers, the exploration of sound, rhythm, resonance, microtonality and multi-media works.
His research fields are Psychoacoustics & Computer Music and Music of the Environment, Philosophy, mathematics and physics (whose common element is inspiration) always occupy him in the creative process, open up new horizons and push him to create his own musical world.
Member of many international and Greek committees of contemporary and electroacoustic music composition competitions (Greek Composers Union, Greek National Opera, Greek ISCM, etc.).
His works have been performed by renowned soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras in Greece and other countries of Europe and the USA, in festivals, concerts and concerts of instrumental and choral music and in live broadcasts of the Third Program of the Hellenic Radio. Many of these are commissions and orders from music organizations and other organizations in Greece and abroad. He has also composed, arranged, orchestrated and conducted works of Jazz music, which have been recorded and performed in concert venues.
In 2016, he began his collaboration with the international record company "Phasma Music". In collaboration with Sarton Records Warsaw Poland, two CDs of contemporary music works, Aleph and Beth, were released in which he participates with two of his works, “Stochasmos” and “Makron” for solo flute.
In 2017, two more CDs with contemporary music works were recorded in Poland, Two minutes and Daleth with his works, Satsang (2017) for flute and alto flute and Echomorphes (2017) for flute and vibraphone, by Phasma Music (Naxos) which were released in early 2018.
In 2022, the CD "Tuba Varie" for tuba was released, where there is his work for solo tuba "Anavasis" (2022).
There are also other works which have been recorded and will be released by Phasma Music, including ''String Quartet No 2'' (2009), ''Breath and Sound'' for solo flute (2018), ''Antinomies'' for flute and piano (2019), ''Inner Spirit'' for flute, violin, viola and cello (2019), ''Monologue'' for solo clarinet (1994) and ''Elampsi'' for solo violin (2022). New recordings and concerts have started with the same company (''Phasma Music'') while at the same time a personal CD is being prepared which will be released in 2024.
He has repeatedly given lectures and taught composition seminars on contemporary music creation, where he has presented works by Greek and foreign composers. He was the artistic director and professor of composition at conservatories in Athens and other cities (Doric Conservatory, New Art Conservatory, Municipal Conservatory of Ioannina, Standard Conservatory of Eastern Attica, Symphonic Conservatory, Municipal Conservatory of Peristeri, Classical Conservatory, Protoporia Conservatory, Athenaeum Conservatory, etc.). Several of his students have received great distinctions and others continued their studies in music, in universities abroad. He teaches at the Athenaeum, Protoporia and Classic Conservatories.
In the years 2010 to 2018, he was a member of the Committee of the Ministry of Culture & Sports, for the examination of requests to hold events at the Herodes Atticus Conservatory and other important venues.
Since 1994 he has been a regular member of the Greek Composers Union and since 2018 he is a member (superintendent) of the Board of Directors.

Source: Musicentry