“His proclivity for both monumental and historic performances is well known, but with his latest Project, 32-year-old Marios Joannou Elia, once again, exceeds all limits.”

Salzburger Nachrichten

  

 

Marios Joannou Elia - Portrait by Tatiana Khodova

 

Encompassing Contemporary Concert Music, Opera, Multimedia and Cultural Events 
Marios Joannou Elia (1978) has surpassed the customary boundaries of contemporary music to become the first composer whose singular work, the open air multimedia symphony AUTOSYMPHONIC (2010-11), was performed in front of a live audience of 20,000 people, achieving 55 million television viewers and two billion media contacts worldwide. In addition, he served as artistic director for this large-scale production. His work encompasses compositions in many diverse genres and backdrops for opera and modern concert including multimedia and eminent projects for cultural events. The central concept of this work, The Concept of Polymediality (2003), is based on a qualitative polymediality that is comprised of two dimensions: the work-immanent compositional dimension and polymediality (alongside all the associated media) during the process of staging.
[Read Essay] [Read Book]

NEWS

Grand Prix Sonic Scene Music Film Fest 2020

Palazzo delle Arti “Beltrani”, Italy

Sound of Vladivostok, representing the Sonic Scene of Russia, has been awarded the Grand Prix of Sonic Scene Music Film Fest – out of 92 movies coming from 33 countries. Festival director, Lucio de Candia: “An extremely unique and original movie. Of course there are other examples of tracks in which ‘music’ is created by environmental sounds or by sonic elements of everyday life, but in this case the author created with high precision an audiovisual mosaic that shows, at the the same time, a fascinating atmosphere and a social portrait.” [Read More 1]  [Read More 2]

    

City of Vladivostok honors Marios Joannou Elia for his symphonic work

7 International Awards within 7 Months in Russia

Honoured by the Government of Primorye and the City of Vladivostok

“Cypriot composer and director Marios Joannou Elia is notching up one success after another in Russia where he has received seven awards for his artistic contribution and work since January. In June, Elia was the honoured guest at a festival ‘Man and the Sea’ organised by Russian State TV at Vladivostok where he received the festival’s prize for ‘Sound of Vladivostok’.” [Breaking all Award Winning Records] [Cypriot Composer shines in Russia]

  

   

WAVAYA to release an MJE Signature Model In-Ear Monitors

WAVAYA to release MJE In-Ear Monitors 

unique and all-round in-ear monitors inspired by the polymedial composer

WAVAYA – a leading company that produces high-end in-ear monitors made of fine glazed porcelain – will release a new model inspired by Marios Joannou Elia. The MJE Signature Model has been under development for a year now. The release and its commercial sale worldwide will begin mid-2021. [WAVAYA]

  

FEATURED WORK

NAVAL SYMPHONY – VARYAG

for soprano, tenor, choir and symphony orchestra | Primorskaya Philharmonic 

Commissioned by Primorskaya Regional Philharmonic Society; in honour of the cruiser Varyag and Russia’s Pacific Fleet; dedicated to the City of Vladivostok. 

Soloists of Mariinsky Theatre and Primorskaya Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Academic Choir of Far Eastern Federal University (cond. Elena Petukhova), Conductor – People’s Artist of Russia Anatoliy Smirnov.

[Instagram] [Read More] [Learn More] [TV Spot] 

SOUND OF KYOTO

STAGING THE JAPANESE CITY OF KYOTO

commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan

“Sound of Kyoto” is a contemporary acoustic portrait of the Japanese city. The entire Kyoto is the scenery and the stage on which the music is performed and the city’s “own” voice is heard. Several institutions take part – like City of Kyoto, Kyoto Arts and Culture Foundation, Kyoto Art Centre, De Sisti Italy, Roland, Sony, and V-Moda. It is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan. Elia composes and directs the project, which is currently in production. [Website] [Facebook]

The involvement of musicians, music groups, artists from all different disciplines and genres, artist collectives, recording engineers, institutions, academies, schools, businesses, etc. is an important aspect of the project. In other words, “Sound of Kyoto” aims to mobilize the entire city, its citizens, its musical and artistic potential. [Call for Participation]

Sound of Kyoto by Marios Joannou Elia

560 MUSICIANS | 43 INSTITUTIONS | 18 ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS

1.650 RECORDED SOUNDS | 4.000 VIDEO CLIPS | 10.300 DOCUMENTARY PHOTOS

1 CITY

  

SOUND OF VLADIVOSTOK

350 MUSICIANS, 13 ENSEMBLES, 80 LOCATIONS, 600 RECORDINGS, 1 CITY

“the world’s first audiovisual portrait of a city” (Interfax Russia)

Founded in 1860 as a military post, Vladivostok, Russia’s gateway to Asia in the Far East, has a turn-of-the-century charm. After it had been cut off from the rest of Russia and the world for decades, to protect the Pacific Fleet, the ending of the Cold War allowed the city to open in 1992.

Ranging from the modern landmark of the city, the Zolotoy Bridge, to the tiny musician’s apartment reminiscent of Soviet era and the Tokarevsky Lighthouse at the end of the world where the land ends and the Japan Sea begins; the entire city is the scenery and the stage on which the music is performed and the city’s voice is heard.

Seasonal changes affect the acoustic and visual scenery of the city, especially from winter to spring. The project’s recordings were made in severe weather conditions of up to -15º Celsius at the frozen surface of Peter the Great Gulf and hazardous situations across the icy sea and at the prow of a moving naval vessel.

A wide variety of musicians take part, amongst others, a theremin player, a rapper, eight conductors and 13 music groups encompassing a symphony orchestra, a brass band, Russian traditional instruments, diverse percussion ensembles and choirs. In addition, recorded sounds that represent the distinctive character of the city are harmonically incorporated into the music. [Website] [Instagram] [Facebook]

Sound of Vladivostok by Marios Joannou Elia

 

Marios Joannou Elia: Sound of Vladivostok, Navy Snare Drum Squad

  

Marios Joannou Elia: Sound of Vladivostok, Peter Theremin, Zarya Center for Contemporary Art, Installation: Michiko Tsuda (Photo: Kostis Nikolas)

Marios Joannou Elia: Sound of Vladivostok, FEFU Academic Choir, Elena Petukhova (Photo: Полина Рыжая)

 

Elia is considered in the music world to be the man for monumental events.

Südwest Presse

 

  

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD IN JAPAN

Marios Joannou Elia Guinness World Record Matryomin

LARGEST MATRYOMIN ENSEMBLE

celebrating the 100th anniversary of Leon Theremin’s invention 

The Japanese company Mandarin Electron commissioned Marios Joannou Elia to compose a new work for the ensemble of matryomins: MATRYOSHKA for 289 matryomin players with piano accompaniment. Its first performance took place on the day of the attempt to establish a new Guinness World Record for the largest ensemble of matryomins. The event took place on September 14, 2019 at KIITO in Kobe, Japan. 

Matryomin is a kind of theremin – a Russian matryoshka, in the case of which the antenna that controls the height of sound is hidden. The composition of MATRYOSHKA was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the invention of the theremin, created by the Russian inventor Léon Theremin. Besides Kobe, it was performed at a memorable concert in Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama under the direction of the matryomin inventor, Masami Takeuchi. The events were initiated by Mandarin Electron in cooperation with the Japanese Theremin School and the Russian Theremin School. A music video that commemorates this achievement will be published by mid-2021. [Read More] [Theremin News]
 

COMING 2021 AT KODALY CENTRE IN HUNGARY

TRUMPET OF GOD

commissioned by Pannon Philharmonic

Pannon Philharmonic commissioned Elia a new trumpet concerto, entitled “Trumpet of God” with a duration of 30 minutes, for the “Day of the City of Pécs” – for trumpet solo, large symphony orchestra and choir. It will be premiered on September 1, 2021 at the Kodály Centre in Pécs: Peter Solymosi (trumpet), Pannon Philharmonic, University of Pécs Choir (cond. Tamás Lakner), cond. András Vass. [Read More]

 

Marios Joannou Elia composes a trumpet concerto for the

 

 

COMING 2022 AT PRESIDENTIAL PALACE IN CYPRUS

WEEPING MADONNAS

commissioned by the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus

“Elia composed an oratorio dedicated to the mothers of missing persons which will premiere on July 20, 2022 at the Presidential Palace. The composer told the Cyprus News Agency that his work “highlights and illuminates in an innovative and creative way not only timeless values but also the cultural universality of our country, as well as motherhood as a universal symbol.”

He said that for Cyprus and internationally it was a historic event, “as this kind of authentic artistic aesthetic and content is presented for the first time on the island and hopes to leave its mark.”

The main contributors are the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Education, the cultural services and the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation. The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Archbishopric, the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus and the European University of Cyprus.” (Cyprus Mail) [Read in Greek] [Read in English]

 

 

MUSIC FOR OSAKA - JAPAN OF TOMORROW

HUMANOID

for large symphony orchestra and humanoid, commissioned by Osaka University Symphony Orchestra

Osaka – A modern city in which humans and robots develop a symbiotic relationship. A large symphony orchestra consisting of 115 musicians will perform the music: 6-7-6-4 / 9-5-4-2 / 5 / 20-12-16-13-6.

Looking back, an analogous relationship appeared in Osaka in the beginning of 17th century. There was a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre called Bunraku (Ningyō jōruri) in which three humans and a puppet had been ‘hybridized’. The main puppeteer (omozukai) used his right hand to control the right hand of the puppet, the left puppeteer (hidarizukai) manipulated the left hand and the third one (ashizukai) operated the feet and legs.

The project involves the present architectural character of Osaka with its high-rise buildings. At the same time, it envisions the futuristic symbiosis of robots and humans (e.g. part of the orchestra and choir perform in a modern space and laboratory in the presence and interaction with robotic figures and performers (androids, geminoids, etc.).  

The production is in progress (expected to be completed beginning 2022). Commissioned by Osaka University Symphony Orchestra for the City of Osaka. In collaboration with Ishiguro Lab and the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University.

 

Humanoid-Marios-Joannou-Elia-Osaka

Humanoid-Marios-Joannou-Elia-Osaka

  

LATEST PREMIERE

Marios Joannou Elia Victory and Triumph

 

LIGHTS OF HOPE
From Olympiacos FC to the World
Karaiskaki Stadium | Piraeus | Greece | July 19th, 2020

A Liquid Staging Show
Created & Directed by
Asteris Kutulas
Music by
Marios Joannou Elia

VICTORY AND TRIUMPH

Symphonic Hymn for soprano, symphony orchestra, choir and drums

On the occasion of winning the 45th Championship of the Greek Superleague 2020 by Olympiacos FC, Marios Joannou Elia composed the music “Victory and Triumph” – for soprano, symphony orchestra, choir and drums. It had its world premiere at Karaiskakis Stadium on July 19, 2020 with which a polymedial event took place created and directed by Asteris Kutulas (“Lights of Hope – From Olympiacos to the World”). The event was broadcasted live on TV, both on NOVA and MEGA Channels.

[More about Project]

Book

THE CONCEPT OF POLYMEDIALITY

published by Schott Music

During the composition of “Strophes” (2003), in which the architectonic features of a high-tech factory influenced various parameters of the work such as the production of sounds, Marios Joannou Elia developed the concept of polymediality. This involved two dimensions: the work-immanent compositional dimension and polymediality in the process of staging. The prefix poly denotes a qualitative paradigm shift; not a quantitative much, but a qualitative, polyaesthetic more. Written between 2007 and 2010 as a commentary focused on his opera “Die Jagd” (2008) and the orchestral piece “Akanthai” (2009), this book illuminates Elia’s concept of polymediality and, by providing a wealth of examples, how literary sources become an inherent polymedial element of his music. At the same time, the commentary elucidates a series of fundamental aspects of the music, including the model of imitative interaction, the concept of permanent fleetingness, the concept of polyaesthestics, and the question of musico-literary intermediality. [Buy] [Schott] [Read]

 

Marios Joannou Elia: The Concept of Polymediality, Schott Music, Mainz, 2017

 

      

FEATURED INTERVIEWS

Hellenic Parliament TV, Interview with Konstantinos D. Kakavelakis.
Russia-1 TV, VestiPrim, Interview with Olga Arteomova.

“Ο Κωνσταντίνος Κακαβελάκης συνομιλεί με τον πολυβραβευμένο Κύπριο συνθέτη Μάριο Ιωάννου Ηλία για θέματα που αφορούν την πορεία της μουσικής του δημιουργίας. Tη χρήση πολυμέσων μέσα από μια πολυαισθητική σύλληψη και αντίληψη με αφορμή την έκδοση μιας σχετικής μελέτης του στο γερμανικό μουσικό εκδοτικό οίκο Schott αλλά και τη συνεργασία του με τη διεθνή εταρεία πολυαισθητικής αγωγής στο Τεχνολογικό Ινστιτούτο του St. Pölten στην Αυστρία. Η προσαρμογή σύγχρονων μηχανικών ήχων σε μεγαλύτερες συνθετικές λειτουργικές ενότητες απασχολεί τον Μ.Ι.Η μέσα από μια συνέργεια ανάδειξης των στοιχείων που προβάλλουν τις πολλαπλές διαστάσεις της ανθρώπινης δραστηριότητας και στο πεδίο των μηχανικών λειτουργιών και της ήχησης των ίδιων των υλικών και τον κυρίαρχο ρόλο που λαμβάνουν προοδευτικά μέσα στην καθημερινότητα. Όχι μονάχα μέσα από μια ανώδυνη μεταφουτουριστική αναδιοργάνωση αλλά μέσα από την ανάδειξη της ίδιας της τραγικότητας των αντιθέσεων αυτών των μέσων σε σχέση με την ανθρώπινη εναπόθεση των ελπίδων σε μία σύγκλιση μηχανικού και φυσικού κόσμου μπροστά στη γενικευμένη κρίση της ανθρώπινης συμφιλίωσης και διεπικοινωνίας με το φυσικό περιβάλλον. Η δημιουργία ηχητικών μωσαϊκών των πόλεων είναι μια πιο πρόσφατη δημιουργική ενασχόληση του Μ.Ι.Η που ξεκίνησε με την πόλη του Βλαδιβοστόκ και συνεχίζεται με την πόλη του Κυότο. Συνθέτει διαφορετικές ηχητικές εκφράσεις των πόλεων, μουσικά σύνολα, οργανισμούς, τοπία, μεμονωμένους ανθρώπους, μηχανικά επιτεύγματα προς μια συνολικότερη συνλειτουργία, που αποτυπώνεται μέσα από τα διαφορετικά γεγονότα σε μια κινηματογραφική ενότητα. Ο Μ.Ι.Η μας εξηγεί τον τρόπο εργασίας του και καταθέτει τις σκέψεις αποκαλύπτοντας επίσης την μακρόχρονη ενασχόλησή του για τη δημιουργία ενός έργου αφιερωμένου στη σύγχρονη Κυπριακή τραγωδία.”

 

NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM

SOUND OF MOSCOW

The Preparation Phase

a film dedicated to Elia’s work commissioned and produced by Takie Dela 

Does each city have its own sound? Driven by this question, Marios Joannou Elia, a composer of unparalleled achievements, is currently preparing to set on the quest of a new acoustic discovery at Russia’s cosmopolitan capital, Moscow. A documentary film dedicated to Elia’s work focusing on various aspects of his visionary concept “Sound of Moscow” is in planning by Takie Dela and film director Yuliya Dmitrieva. 

The documentary film aims to go behind-the-scenes and follow the fascinating stage of sound exploration undertaken by Marios Joannou Elia in the Russian megalopolis. Capturing a deeply personal and emotional experience of the creator in his interaction with the city and its people, the past, present and future; the film reveals his challenging methodology that often includes risky, unexpected and avant-garde sound detective strategies. The film is expected to be produced by mid-2021.

  

Marios Joannou Elia - The Moscow Documentary, Takie Dela Production

 

WP-Backgrounds Lite by InoPlugs Web Design and Juwelier Schönmann 1010 Wien