MARIOS JOANNOU ELIA

AMBASSADOR IN TOURISM

interview regarding recommendations for the enhancement of Cyprus as an attractive destination for conference tourism

—

In collaboration with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Cyprus Convention Bureau, the Ambassador in Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, Marios Joannou Elia, developed a proposal aiming to combine conference tourism with the cultural character and cultural events in Cyprus and abroad. Through this approach, Conference Tourism in Cyprus will gain additional value, which will provide participants -in parallel with their scientific and professional activity and development- a product of particular cultural value, interest and enjoyment. [Watch Interview]

THE FUTURE OF “CONFERENCE TOURISM”

proposal received broad media attendance in Cyprus, Greece and Germany

—

As an Ambassador in Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, Elia’s proposal relates to the use of sites of particular historical, cultural, architectural and natural interest, who are -traditionally- not used for this purpose. The selection and operation of a space in relation to the subject, objectives and actions of the conference will provide an alternative and original character in congress tourism.  Moreover, Elia noted that “the average benefit from a delegate-tourist is greater than the average tourist and can not be ignored”. [Read More]

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE & FIRST PRIZE

at the WPV Convention Athens

—

On March 8th, the music video “Soliloquy” directed by Aris Akritidis (protagonist Mia Zalukar) was awarded First Prize and the “Award of Excellence” at the WPV Convention Athens. Elia’s “Soliloquy” was recorded at ORF Studios in Vienna by Kostas Tosidis (guitar). It is included on the CD Album “”Staubzucker – Guitar Music in Ensemble Formations” (Aesthis Records).

THE CONCEPT OF POLYMEDIALITY

published by Winter Verlag, Heidelberg

—

The article “Polymedialität als Konzept” elucidates Elia’s concept of polymediality and its application (with concrete examples). It is published in Thomas Hochradner’s (ed.) book entitled “Zur Ästhetik des Vorläufigen”.

[Buy Book/eBook]

ULM’S MINSTER TOWER 125th ANNIVERSARY

interview at regio tv (de)

—

The cathedral tower in Ulm will be 125 years old in 2015. Contemporary composer Marios Elia has dedicated a celebratory musical work to honour the occasion. Here he will explain the first sound experience that was influential in his career, how he is inspired by Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elias” and how he integrates machinery in his work. 

[Watch Interview]

THE HARMONY OF ANGLE GRINDER AND STONE SAW

transforming the cathedral’s construction cottage into musical scenery

—

Marios Elia is in the Münsterbauhütte (cathedral construction cottage) of Ulm Minster between all the machines and tools of the stonemasons, with a pneumatic hammer and a screwdriver attachment in his hand. He experiments. How does he create with such little fragments or without sound? How does it resonate when someone holds a hand in front of the nozzle? Suddenly he smiles. The rhythm emerges! At first almost swinging. Then the pneumatic hammer transforms into an instrument: rapping, and producing the first pneumatic-hammer-minster-sheds-rap sound… [Read More]

INTERVIEW ABOUT THE PROJECT ULMER ORATORIUM

Ein musikalisches Werk für eine Stadt oder für ein Bauwerk zu schreiben ist sicher eine große Herausforderung

—

Am 29. und 30. Mai 2015 wartet ein absolutes Highlight auf die Ulmerinnen und Ulmer. Der Münsterplatz wird Schauplatz des “Ulmer Oratoriums”. Ein Werk, das eigens für die Jubiläumsfeierlichkeiten von Marios Joannou Elia komponiert wird. Einen kleinen Einblick, was die Zuschauer in knapp einem Jahr erwarten wird, gab der Komponist in einem Interview, das während eines mehrtägigen Besuchs Elias in Ulm entstand. [Read More]

“THE PROMISE”

… and an audiovisual polyphony of automotive lighting

—

The promise … what the car offers man. It bestows power, offers independence and touches the emotions. Car sounds that have to do with opening something fill this act: the fuel tank cover, the container for the windshield wiper fluid or the electric door of the bus. The climax is a tenor solo which reminds us of Carl Benz. The video, an overview of the 2011 world premiere, will soon be available online.

INTERVIEW AT CyBC1

entexnos – cultural interest tv show

—

Marios Joannou Elia was featured on the January 6 episode of “Entexnos” which is a 30-minute cultural show that airs on the national television station of Cyprus. As artistic director of the European Capital of Culture 2017 he unveiled his strategy regarding the plans for the programme. Throughout the interview, the host made constant references to the internationally acclaimed projects that Elia created in Germany and Austria. 

[Watch Interview]

COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE AT PASSAUER SAITEN

“between orient and occident”

—

Marios Elia is the 2014 composer in residence of the “Passauer Saiten” International Guitar Festival in Passau, Germany. Between March 21 to April 4 there will be conferences dedicated to discussing his music along with performances of his works for soloists and ensembles. These will be performed by Valentin and Milena Valchev Guitar Duo, Miscelanea Guitar Quartet, Kostas Tosidis and Joaquin Clerch. A further new work commissioned by Passauer Saiten will also be premiered at the opening concert (Vera Klug, flute and Yvonne Zehner, guitar). [Read More]

AMBASSADOR IN TOURISM

honorary title awarded by the Cyprus Tourism Organization

—

Marios Joannou Elia was awarded the honorary title “Ambassador in Tourism” by the Cypriot Tourism Organization in recognition of his outstanding artistic career. He is now part of a new pioneering project, which aims to promote the island of Cyprus as a destination for conference tourism, corporate meetings and incentive travel. His passionate talent and his personality make him an inspiring international ambassador for cultural values. Elia will be initiating and taking charge of cultural events as well as advertising campaigns. At the same time he will carry an important weight in the context of the contemporary image culture of Cyprus. [Read More]   

PERFORMANCES IN SALZBURG, MEXICO CITY & BRUNECK (ITALY)

at Large University Auditorium Salzburg and Palacio de las Bellas Artes

—

The renowned british magazine Classical Guitar described STAUBZUCKER as “a performance which one is not likely to forget”. This work will be performed twice in May in Salzburg (together with APOPHIS): At the Large University Auditorium on May 22 (Grosse Universitaetsaula Salzburg) there will be the grand opening celebration of Literaturfest Salzburg, and Jazzit Music Club, “one of the Top Jazz Venues in the world”, on May 29. 

The Tetrakty Cuarteto de Guitarras will make the Mexican premiere of the piece at Palacio de las Bellas Artes, Mexico City on June 2. Furthermore, the Trio InVento will perform the same piece on paetzold records at Ragenhaus in Brueneck, Italy on August 24 (Summer Concerts).

“APOPHIS” MUSIC VIDEO: REVIEW FROM CANADA

“the quality and production is spectacular”

—

by Bradford Werner 

APOPHIS, Marios Joannou Elia’s latest music video release, has been performed by Miscelanea Guitar Quartet and is now acclaimed for its “highest quality and outstanding playing” by the Canadian online guitar magazine This is Classical Guitar.

According to the critics: “It’s nice to actually see the composer in the video. Far too often composers are left out of the production process but here he’s an integral part. The performance is very clean and clear despite the challenge of the varied textures and alternative playing techniques. The composition is filled with interesting imitation and weaving lines that culminate in group climaxes. Really interesting textures and contrasts. The quality and production is spectacular and is such that new music promoters can draw huge inspiration for how to successfully present their music.”

FILMING WITH DEUTSCHE WELLE IN NICOSIA

documentary film 

—

by Deutsche Welle (Euromaxx – Leben und Kultur in Europa)

TV Premiere (worldwide): July 7, 2013

—

In April 2013 Deutsche Welle visited Cyprus, to conduct an interview with Marios Joannou Elia in Nicosia, Europe’s last divided capital. The chief editor and team of Deutsche Welle’s cultural programme “Euromaxx – Leben und Kultur in Europa” hailed Elia as the most important representative of Cypriot Culture in Europe in particular declaring his work AUTOSYMPHONIC as one of the most important Highlights in Europe for many decades. DW reporter, Mischa Heuer, was searching for the sources of inspiration in Elia’s work, in respect of his oeuvre as an integral part of Cyprus’s cultural image. The documentary film was broadcast worldwide on July 7, 2013 – in German, English, Spanish and Arabic. 

[Watch (in English or German)]

NEW WORK FOR GUITAR QUARTET

performances in Crete, Salzburg (2013), Boston and Passau (2014) 

—

premiered by Miscelanea Guitar Quartet

—

To date, the collaboration between Marios Joannou Elia and Miscelanea Guitar Quartet Salzburg has been unique and  highly successful. It began in 2007 with the premiere of STAUBZUCKER in Salzburg. Since then, the quartet performed STAUBZUCKER and APOPHIS all around Europe, South America and the United Sates. The new work is planned to be premiered at Casa dei Mezzo Music Festival 2013 in Crete, Greece. There will be further performances at Boston GuitarFest 2014 (USA) and “Passauer Saiten” Guitar Festival 2014 (Germany), amongst others. It will be released on Miscelanea Quartet’s coming CD Album. Aesthis Records will produce its music video.