“20,000 spectators enthusiastically celebrated the one-hour world premiere of the work” 

Die Welt

     

 

NEWS (2013-15)

 

 

December 19, 2015

Marios Joannou Elia: RegioTV Schwaben – 2015: A Year-In-Review

Marios Joannou Elia: RegioTV Schwaben – Prominent des Jahres Kultur 2015 (Photo © Trendy)

Marios Joannou Elia et al.: RegioTV Schwaben – Prominent des Jahres 2015 (Photo © Trendy)

PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2015

December 3, at the Oldtimerfabrik Classic in Neu-Ulm

Elia has been named as one of 2015’s most important persons in the metropolitan region of Swabia (southwestern Germany) – representing arts and culture. On December 3 he was one of the prominent guests (among lord mayors, a Red Bull pilot and a plastic surgeon) at the RegioTV Gala in Neu-Ulm, where he discussed his contribution to Swabia’s artistic and cultural scenery. He referred to surprises and discoveries generated through his contribution to the arts and cultural advancement of Swabia, and vice versa.

  

October 7, 2015

Between Freedom and Determination: Marios Joannou Elia's Music for Guitar, in: Perspectives of New Music, Vol. 54, Seattle, 2015.

“BETWEEN FREEDOM AND DETERMINATION”

publication by The Washington Press, Seattle

Dr. Vera Grund’s article “Between Freedom and Determination: Marios Joannou Elia’s Music for Guitar” will be published in the oncoming volume (Nr. 54)of the Perspectives of New Music, edited by Ed. R. Morris and J. Rahn. “Elia calls thirteen works of his oeuvre “music for guitar”. Five pieces are for solo instrumentation: In Between (1999), Ontologie Parallel (2001), Soliloquy (2002), Maneuver (2006) and Cursed (2008). The remainder consists of guitar duet (Ontologie Kubik, 2001), quartet (Apophis, 2001/08 and Staubzucker, 2007) or mixed instrumentation containing bowed, brass and percussion instruments… [Pre-Order Book]

 

September 23, 2015

April 21, 2015

March 16, 2015

Marios Joannou Elia: Ambassador in Tourism (Photo © Cyprus Tourism Organisation, 2015)

Marios Joannou Elia: Ambassador in Tourism - Proposal for the future of 'conference tourism'

Marios Joannou Elia - Interview at German Press Media, April 2015

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]

 

   

SUSTAINABILITY IN EU CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

NRW Kultur International

As an expert of the European Capital of Culture initiative, Marios Elia was invited by NRW Kultur International and Goethe Institut to the Ruhr.2010 district in order to exchange ideas with representatives from art and creative economy as well as cultural politics on potentials, perspectives and sustainable impact of the “Capital of Culture”. Among others, high-level discussions took place in Düsseldorf (NRW Ministry of Culture), Gelsenkirchen (Urbane Künste, Ruhrtriennale International Arts Festival), Wuppertal (NRW Kultursekretariat) and Essen (Zollverein).

 

  

February 25, 2015

DECEMBER 12, 2014

November 19, 2014

Marios Joannou Elia's music video "Staubzucker" wins WPV Award of Excellence in Athens

Marios Joannou Elia: Publication-Winter-Heidelberg-Verlag

Marios Joannou Elia: Patron of the Paphos Hearts of Gold Award 2014

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]

HEARTS OF GOLD AWARD

Elia has been named Patron of the Award

The award aims to recognise those who have shown tremendous courage, strength and determination, worked tirelessly within the community and overcome tragedies with a smile. “It is an honour to be the patron, as helping each other is such an important part of a successful community,” said Marios Elia at Cyprus Weekly.

 

  

October 18, 2014

LECTURE: “EUROPE’S CULTURAL HERITAGE IN ULM AND ELSEWHERE”

Ulmer Reden für Europa mit Marios Joannou Elia | 27 March 2015, 19:00

Galerie der SÜDWEST PRESSE, Eingang Olgastraße, 89073 Ulm, Germany. Organized by Stadt Ulm, Europe Direct Ulm and SÜDWEST PRESSE.

The Lecture will be followed by a discussion with the audience, moderated by Ivo Gönner, Lord Mayor of the City of Ulm, and Ulrich Becker, chief editor of Südwest Presse.

 
  

Ulmer Reden für Europa mit Marios Joannou Elia (Photo © Aris Akritidis)

AUG. 18, 2014

JULY 24, 2014

JULY 9, 2014

Marios Joannou Elia - Interview at RegioTV

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]

 
  

Marios Joannou Elia at the Ulmer Münsterbauhütte (Photo © Stadt Ulm)

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]

 
 

Der Komponist und das Münster: Marios Joannou Elia komponiert ein Oratorium, das 2015 zum Jubiläum des Westturm aufgeführt werden soll (Photo © Stadt Ulm)

400 CONTRIBUTORS AND EVEN MORE SOUNDS

press conference at Ulm’s town hall

On the 24th June Marios Elia was at Ulm’s Town hall taking questions from the press. In less than a year, his spectacular “Ulmer Oratorio” will be premiered at the cathedral square. The preparations are in full swing. Elia and his production team gave details about the project. [Read More]

   

 

JUNE 27, 2014

MAY 6, 2014

APRIL 18, 2014

Komponist Marios Joannou Elia im Gespräch (Stadt Ulm)

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]

   
 

Marios Joannou Elia - The Promise

“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.

Marios Joannou Elia - Autotrio

“AUTOTRIO”

3 automobiles and 14 musicians

This work is written for the Benz Patent Motor Car (the first automobile built in 1886), Aero 6218R (a historical car from 1934) and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (a 2010 modern supercar). The first performance took place at Mannheim’s Rosengarten on January 6, 2011, in front of an audience of 2,300 people. It was performed by 14 percussionists (Pop Academy Baden-Württemberg and National Theater Mannheim). The video, an overview of its 2011 performance at Friedrichsplatz Square in Mannheim, will soon be available online. [Watch Overwiew Trailer]

Jan. 24, 2014

Marios Joannou Elia - Neue Zeitschrift für Musik 1/2014 (Schott Music)
 

NOISE AS A SPECTACLE

the plurimedial compositions of Marios Joannou Elia (Schott Music)

In the current edition of Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (Schott Music), Andi Schoon, professor of transdisciplinary theory at Bern University of the Arts, has published an ‘essayistic approach’ which examines and celebrates the work of Marios Joannou Elia. He highlights the commercial and cultural successes that have delivered extravagant and breathtaking performances, in particular set in unexpected locations often outside the traditional concert paradigm: including departure halls, car dealerships, illuminated monuments, fountains and open marketplaces, and city squares. [Read More]

  
  

Jan. 9, 2014

Oct. 10, 2013

Aug. 16, 2013

Marios Joannou Elia at CyBC1 - Entexnos, 2014

Marios Joannou Elia - Composer in Residence at Passaer Saiter Festival

Marios Joannou Elia Artistic Director of the European Capital of Culture 2017 (Photo © Kostisfilms, London)

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]

   
  

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE ECoC

pafos 2017 – open air factory

The Board of Directors of the Organisation Pafos 2017 has unanimously elected Marios Elia as the Artistic Director of the European Capital of Culture 2017. Elia is the youngest person ever to direct a European Capital of Culture. Pafos 2017 sets up a contemporary Open-Air Factory with its cultural machinery installed mainly outdoors. The motto “Linking Continents, Bridging Cultures” covers a wide range of projects, organized into several production areas such as “Myth and Religion”, “World Travellers” and “Stages of the Future”. [Read More]

   
  

July 7, 2013

Marios Joannou Elia composes ULMER ORATORIUM for 500 musicians - Open air premiere at Muensterplatz Ulm, 2015

ULMER ORATORIUM 2015

an open-air music spectacle for over 400 musicians
the highlight celebration of the 125th anniversary of Ulm Minster, the tallest church in the world

Elia has been commissioned by the City of Ulm to compose ULMER ORATORIUM, which is an open-air music spectacle for over 400 musicians – the highlight of celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the completion of Ulm Minster (2015) which is the tallest church in the world. The premiere will take place at the Muensterplatz, the central square of the city (in front of the church) and will be performed by the Ulm Minster Chantry (motet choir, oratorio choir and children’s choir), Philharmonic Orchestra of the City of Ulm, Theatre Ulm (singers, speakers, choir), Junge Blaeserphilharmonie Ulm and Ulmer Spatzen Children’s Choir, amongst others. 

  
 

June 30, 2013

ULM MINSTER 125th ANNIVERSARY

Elia takes up artistic director’s position for the City of Ulm
a large-scale participatory music project in Ulm, Germany 
The highest church tower in the world belongs to the Ulmer Muenster (Ulm Minster), which is at the center of Ulm, Germany. The height of the tower is 161.5 meters. Its completion in 1890 was celebrated by the performance of the oratorio “Elias” by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy with the participation of 320 singers. Alongside the huge instrumental and vocal forces of “Symphony No. 8” by Gustav Mahler, Elia was inspired to design a large-scale project for the City of Ulm for which all major music groups of the locality will unite for the first time and work together towards the premiere of a newly composed and ambitious oratorio with the participation of the Cultural Department of the City of Ulm, Ulm Minster Chantry (Muensterkantorei), Theatre Ulm, Musikschule der Stadt Ulm and Akademie Schloss Solitude, Stuttgart. [More about Project]
 
  

Marios Joannou Elia directs the project ULMER ORATORIUM 2015 - the highlight celebration of the 125th anniversary of the completion of Ulm Minster, the tallest church in the world

May 29, 2013

MAY 2, 2013

APRIL 15, 2013

Marios Joannou Elia is awarded the honorary title “Ambassador in Tourism” by the Cyprus Tourism Organization (Photo © Kostisfilms)

STAUBZUCKER by Marios Joannou Elia to be performed at Grosses Universitaetsaula Salzburg and JazzIt Salzburg (Photo © Aris Akritidis; Rediting: Kostisfilms)

German Webvideo Prize 2013: Marios Joannou Elia's  STAUBZUCKER by Aestis Records

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).

   
 

GERMAN WEBVIDEO PRIZE 2013

STAUBZUCKER ends during the online voting in the two first places

The music video of STAUBZUCKER by Marios Joannou Elia, performed by Miscelanea Quartet Salzburg, is candidate for the “Deutscher Webvideo Preis ’13”, Germany’s most important prize for online videos, in the category AAA (Academy Approved Art). The prize “honours innovative and outstanding online videos from the German-speaking countries”. The music video, which is the only one from the genre of contemporary music in the competition, was released by Aesthis Records in 2012.

[Watch Music Video]

  

April 12, 2013

“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.

    

Aesthis Records, which is run by Marios Joannou Elia, is a label with a visionary approach to classical, contemporary and electronic music, including an original exploration of crossover aesthetics. Aesthis employs a creative application of the finest high-tech instruments (analogue and digital). For complex and large-scale projects, Aesthis collaborates with worldwide leading studios, such as the ORF RadioKulturhaus of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation in Vienna and Abbey Road, London. The label also owns a specialised studio for electronic music. The staff, including an ex acoustics engineer from Harman International, carry out scientific research and project-based development on an ongoing basis.

  

April 10, 2013

March 26, 2013

March 3, 2013

Marios Joannou Elia - Filming with Deutsche Welle in Nicosia, Europe's last divided capital

Miscelanea Quartet performs a new work by Marios Joannou Elia in Boston, Passau, Crete and Salzburg (Photo © IES Tenerife)

Marios Joannou Elia's APOPHIS performed by Miscelanea Quartet at International Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg (Photo © Joao Dinis)

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.

  

 

NEW MUSIC VIDEO

APOPHIS for guitar quartet
by Aesthis Records
Online Release: April 26, 2013

 

The music video of APOPHIS by Marios Joannou Elia, originally composed in 2001 for clarinet quartet and arranged for guitar quartet in 2008, is a production of Aesthis  Records, London. The filming took place in the City of Salzburg; the music is recorded by Miscelanea Guitar Quartet at the ORF RadioKulturhaus studios in Vienna. The title, APOPHIS, refers to the Egyptian God of darkness and chaos and, at the same time, at the homonymous asteroid (99442) that has a possibility of striking Earth in 2029.

 

   

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