For all enquiries: GREGORY [at] EMFIETZIS [dot] COM
About, Links& Contacts
Gregory Emfietzisis a London-based musician, sound artist, performer and teacher. This webpage functions as an archive of his creative work and collaborations. You can check his interviews at the London Sinfonietta's& Tim Rutherford-Johnson's blogs, and at the WHY Magazine. For all enquiries: gregory [at] emfietzis [dot] com
Latest News& Updates
Archive list ofPerformances
2019 02/06 : London, UK ^ METAPRAXIS VII: ^ Winter Journey § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Cafe OTO 13/04 : London, UK ^ METAPRAXIS VII: ^ Winter Journey § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Omnibus Theatre 09-13/04 : London, UK ^ Dark Matter Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ A Piece of the Continent Festival @ Tristan Bates Theatre 02/02 : London, UK ^ METAPRAXIS VII: ^ Winter Journey § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Hundred Years Gallery 29/01 : London, UK ^ Borough New Music: Series 12 ^ Featured Composer: Gregory Emfietzis § A.Hui, I.Ikse & L.Loulaki @ St George the Martyr 2018 15/11 : London, UK ^ METAPRAXIS VI: ^ Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble ^ Voila! Europe Theatre Festival @ The Cockpit Theatre 21/09 : New York, USA ^At the Heart of ThingsTheatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company @ Castillo Theatre 08/07 : Vienna, Austria ^Concierto Para Quinteto § Bataclava Quintet @ Mozarthaus Vienna 04/07 : London, UK ^ METAPRAXIS VI: ^ Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Cafe OTO 19-22/04 : London, UK ^At the Heart of ThingsTheatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company @ Blue Elephant Theatre 10/04 : Vienna, Austria ^Unbegleitet - Konzertzyklus § Loukia Loulaki @ Mi Barrio 27/03 : London, UK ^ METAPRAXIS VI: ^ Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Blue Elephant Theatre 23/03 : Nottingham, UK ^At the Heart of ThingsTheatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ The Party Somewhere Else Festival @ Nottingham Playhouse 2017 14&18/11 : London, UK ^At the Heart of ThingsTheatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Voila! Europe Festival @ Cockpit Theatre 07/11 : London, UK ^ METAPRAXIS VI: ^ Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ IKLECTIK 22-26/08 : Edinburgh, UK ^ Dark Matter Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Edinburgh Fringe @ Greenside Venue 19/07 : Leeds, UK ^ 7 deadly sins project § J.Wilson & T.Martin @ Leeds College of Music 04/07 : Vienna, Austria ^ WIENtegriert: ^ WISE Chamber Music Festival § Loukia Loulaki @ Altes Rathaus, Bank Austria Salon 23/06 : Sheffield, UK ^ An ice thing to say Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Migration Matters Festival @ Moor Theatre Delicatessen 13/06 : London, UK ^ Dark Matter Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Creativity and Wellbeing Week @ Little Angel Theatre 05/06 : York, UK ^ 7 deadly sins project § J.Wilson & A.Pepelasis ^ Creative Processes in the ^ Arts Conference @ York University 01/06 : Brighton, UK ^ Dark Matter Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Brighton Fringe @ Rialto Theatre 12/05 : Glasgow, Scotland ^ 7 deadly sins project ^ Sound Thought Festival § J.Wilson & A.Pepelasis @ Centre for Contemporary Arts 2016 06/11 : London, UK ^ Homeland Project ^ Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Nour Festival @ Drayton Arms Theatre 12/09 : Utrecht, The Netherlands ^ 42nd International ^ Computer Music Conference @ TivoliVredenburg 2015 08/10 : Yerevan, Armenia ^ L'Antigonie Dance Project ^ CONSENSUS Dance Company ^ High Fest Int. Performing Arts Festival @ State Chamber Theatre 24/09 : London, UK ^ Dark Matter Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company @ Omnibus Theatre 10 & 11/08 : London, UK ^ Dark Matter Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company @ Etcetera Camden Theatre 08 & 09/05 : London, UK ^ L'Antigonie Dance Project ^ CONSENSUS Dance Company § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Tripspace Projects 14/05 : Athens, Greece ^ Greek Composers' Union's ^ Concert Series § G.Tsangarakis & V.F.Kiazimi @ Fillipos Nakas Conservatory 2014 02/12 : Athens, Greece ^ Greek Composers' Union's ^ Concert Series § Duo Arsis (S.Lampouras & M.Makri) @ Fillipos Nakas Conservatory 20/07 : London, UK ^ Aldeburgh Music's ^ English Song Project § V.Conacher & J.Barnoin @ Club Inegales 14/07 : Frankfurt, Deutschland ^ Master-Abschluss-Konzert § T.Mpasdekis & P.Tukiainen @ Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende @ Kunst Frankfurt am Main 24/05 : Lanciano, Italy ^ (Con)fusioni 2014 § Duo Macle @ Auditorium Diocleziano 11-15/03 : London, UK ^ Dark Matter Theatre Production ^ Vertebra Theatre Company @ Omnibus Theatre 22/03 : Aldeburgh, UK ^ Aldeburgh Music's ^ English Song Project § R.Edgar-Wilson & H.Watkins @ Snape Maltings 22/02 : Athens, Greece ^ ABOUT's residency § Angelica Cathariou @ Theocharakis Auditorium 11/01 : London, UK ^ London Symphony Orchestra's ^ Soundhub Showcase (B) § London Symphony Orchestra @ LSO St. Lukes 2013 08/12 : London, UK ^ New Music Show 4 § London Sinfonietta @ Southbank Centre 25/11 : Pescara, Italy ^ MAGFEST.it § Duo Macle @Spazio Matta 22/09 : London, UK ^ Some Recent Silences § Apartment House @ Kings Place 11/08 : Brezzo, Italy ^ "I Concerti di Casa Paolo" § Duo Macle 29 & 30/06 : Athens, Greece ^ Greek National Opera's Competition § Greek National Opera Orch. @ Olympia Theatre - Lyriki Skini 15/06 : London, UK ^ "Music Impossible" project § Metapraxis Ensemble @ All Saints Church, East Sheen 04/06 : Vienna, Austria ^ Wiener Konzerthaus's Competition "Towards the Next 100 Years" § Berlin & Vienna Philharm. @ Mozart-Saal, Wiener Konzerthaus 24, 25 & 26/05 : London, UK ^ "Music Impossible" project § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Iris Theatre, Covent Garden 21/05 : Athens, Greece § Duo Ergon-a-Taston ^ (T.Sikelianou & A.Papanikolaou ) @ Athenaeum Cultural Centre 18/05 : London, UK ^ London Symphony Orchestra's Soundhub Showcase (A) § Metapraxis Ensemble @ LSO St. Lukes 16/01 : London, UK ^ LSO Soundhub Workshop § LSO players & GSMD students @ LSO St. Lukes 2012 26/10 : Leeds, UK ^ pR_1: [Post]Analogue § Underscore @ Leeds University 19-20/10 : Coventry, UK ^ INTIME 2012 Symposium § Madeleine Shapiro @ Coventry University 28-30/08 : Bordeaux, France ^ Temp'όra International Meeting for Musical Creation § Duo Macle @ Le Rocher de Palmer 27/03 : clockopera.com ^ Clock Operation Debut Track § ThisIsFakeDIY 27/02 : London, UK ^ pR_1: [Post]Analogue § Underscore @ Goldsmiths University 2011 24/10 : London, UK ^ pR_1: [Post]Analogue § Underscore @ St Anne's Church 11 & 12/8 : London, UK ^ Tête à Tête Opera Festival § Warehouse Ensemble @ Riverside Studios 16/6 : London, UK ^ Researching the Arts Conference § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Brunel University 29/5 : Vilnius, Lithuania ^ Druskomanija Festival § OnePlusOne @ Druskininkai Town Museum 26/5 : New York, USA ^ Contagious Sounds Concert Series § NOISE-BRIDGE @ Gershwin Hotel 3/4 : Surrey, UK ^ Japan Tsunami Appeal Concert § Nao Maebayashi, Red Cross Fundraising 18/3 : Grimsby, UK ^ Lightworks Festival 2011 @ Grimsby Minister 10/3 : London, UK ^ Chaos Theory Concert Series § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Blag Club 18/2 : Apeldoorn, Holland ^ YCM 2011 § Orkest de Ereprijs @ Gigant Filmtheater 2010 28/11 : london, uk ^ ekon festival § metapraxis ensemble @ theatro technis 18/11 : london, uk ^ music orbit showcase series § metapraxis ensemble @ chelsea theatre 12/9 : london, uk § nao maebayashi @ roehampton university 22/7 : darmstadt, germany ^ darmstadt institute § asamisimasa ensemble 18/7 : london, uk ^ world listening project § metapraxis ensemble w/ mar.marquez 16/7 : london, uk § nao maebayashi, fruit for the apocalypse @ cafe oto 13/7 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ guildhall smd 30/5 : vilnius, lithuania ^ druskomanija festival § oneplusone 29/5 : vilnius, lithuania ^ druskomanija festival § in spe 24/3 : london, uk § carter wind ensemble @ guildhall smd 10/3 : london, uk § london contemporary orchestra @ brunel university 19/2 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ the space 18/2 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ brunel university 16/2 : london, uk § research seminar w/ metapraxis ensemble @ roehampton university 28/1 : athens, greece § alexandros theodorakopoulos @ athenaeum 14/1 : huddersfield, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ huddersfield university 2009 10/12 : athens, greece § hellenic group of contemporary music @ goethe institute 26/11 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ roehampton university 19/09 : vilnius, lithuania ^ european capital of culture 2009 @ trade union palace 25/08 : ostrava, czech republic ^ ostrava days festival § quasars ensemble 26/4 : thessaloniki, greece § idée fixe @ thermi culture centre 1/4 : london, uk § myrto loulaki, helena brown @ roehampton university 8 & 9/1 : chicago, usa § sonic inertia @ sherwood conservatory of music 2008 03, 04/11: london, uk § okeanos ensemble @ guildhall smd 17/08: mazsalaca, latvia § quintus anima 06/07 : london, uk ^ ekon festival § andriana minou 16, 23 & 25/06 : london, uk ^ byam shaw § rachel greaves 14/05 : london, uk § teresa vila @ brunel university 23 & 24/04 : london, uk § roehampton chamber singers & chamber orchestra @ jubilee theatre (r.u.) 12/03 : athens, greece § lorenda ramou @ aetopouleio concert hall 06/01 : athens, greece § myrto loulaki, andriana minou @ matey dance school 2007 14/12 : london, uk § myrto loulaki, andriana minou @ barnes methodist church 14/10 : athens, greece § lorenda ramou, fluxus exhbition @ benaki museum 21/03 : athens, greece § ilektra karanikola, georgia smerou @ parnassos
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Press Clips
In the dark, a pianist begins to play.She continues, as though nothing is out of the ordinary, until unexpectedly a small table lamp lights up and she stops, apparently under its spell.The light goes off, and she starts to play again. This dialogue – music/dark; silence/light – continues with increasing agitation until finally the pianist takes control of the music and switches the lamp off for good.
(Tim Rutherford-Jones onDIY 1: the pianist and the lamp)
Biography
The music of Gregory Emfietzis, often described as sound scenography and/or sonic theatre, tends to be structured around narratives. Timelines of acoustic landscapes, often superimposed by musical gestures and added dramatic elements that reinforce the plot. Some works, such as the miniature opera Mirror, mirror on the wall, seem written as much for actors as musicians. Others, such as How to… corrupt someone, tend towards a more instrumental or sonic theatre. On the other side of the spectrum, further boosting of the conceptual, acoustical and visual elements is attempted through collaboration. Self-initiated projects such as the shadow puppetry show Music Impossible, and the music & theatre performances of the DIY series and Gluttony: Live to Drink, seek to explore different modes of unfolding a story by means of experimenting with sound, movement and construction.
Emfietzis was born in Thessaloniki, Greece; he played the violin and sang, performing in many international festivals, concerts and operas. Following a degree in Music Science and Art at the University of Macedonia, he moved to the UK. He studied composition with Christopher Fox at Huddersfield University and with Fox, Richard Barrett and Jennifer Walshe at Brunel University.
His music is performed by notable musicians and ensembles across Europe and North America. Recent performances include, the quintet Fear (not) premiered by ensemble WienBerlin at the Wiener Konzerthaus, and the solo cello The Black Art of Obscurantism -a commission by the London Sinfonietta- performed by Olly Coates. Also, the opera The Darkness of Mistico staged at the Greek National Opera House, the solo piano DIY 1: the pianist & the lamp performed by Philip Thomas, and Sisyphus Victimised for 9 musicians and video projection premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Ensemble. Other groups he has worked with include Apartment House (UK), Asamisimasa (Norway), Greek Contemporary Music Ensemble (Greece), London Contemporary Orchestra (UK), Orkest de Ereprijs (Netherlands) and the Quasars Ensemble (Slovakia).
In addition, Emfietzis is Composer in Residence at the Youth Music Centre (London), associate artist at Vertebra Theatre and Consensus Dance, and Artistic Director of the Metapraxis Ensemble.
Awards
2019 Recipient of Grant Marchus Trust (UK) for the project Music:Building 2017 Recipient of funding support Hinrichsen Foundation (UK) for the project Sisyphus Distressing Recipient of 'Grant for the Arts' Arts Council - England (UK) for the project Gluttony: Live to Drink 2015 Recipient of 'Grant for the Arts' Arts Council - England (UK) for the project L'antigonie 2014 Selected for Tenso's Young Composers Workshop (Belgium) Selected for Aldeburgh Music's English Song Project (UK) 2013 Recipient of 'Composer Bursary / Bliss Trust' PRS for Music Foundation (UK) for the opera The Darkness of Mistico Recipient of 'Grant for the Arts' Arts Council - England (UK) for the project Music Impossible 2012 Winner of Wiener Konzerthaus's "Towards the next 100 years" Int. Composition Competition (Austria) Winner of Greek National Opera's Open Call for Opera Projects Nat. Composition Competition (Greece) Winner of ABOUT Cultural Venue's Residency with Angelica Cathariou (Greece) Winner of Coventry University's INTIME 2012 Symposium Int. Composition Competition (UK) Selected for London Symphony Orch's LSO Soundhub Scheme (UK) Selected for Temp'όra's International Meeting for Musical Creation (France) 2011 Selected for Orkest de Ereprijs's Young Composers Meeting (Netherlands) Selected for the Opera Group's Mentoring Project (UK) 2010 Finalist of Verona Academy's Int. Chamber Opera Competition (Italy) Selected for Darmstadt Music Institute's Reading Sessions (Germany) Selected for Fruit of the Apocalypse's World Music Day (UK) 2009 Finalist at the Synthermeia III Int. Composition Competition (Greece) Selected for Ostrava Days's Institute & Festival (Czech Republic) Selected for Vilnius 2009: European Capital of Culture's Music Visualisation Laboratory (Lithuania) 2008 Winner of Sonic Inertia Ensemble's Int. Chamber Music Competition (USA) Selected for BMIC's Workshop with Okeanos Ensebmle (UK) Selected for Int. Wksp for Young Composers (Latvia)
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Musicians / Ensembles
Apartment House Ensemble Duo Arsis Asamisimasa Ensemble George Barton Angelica Cathariou Oliver Coates Vivien Conacher Richard Edgar-Wilson Orkest de Ereprijs Rosha Maura Fitzhowle Neil Georgeson Greek Contemporary Music Ens. Greek Nat. Opera House Orch. Wai Nok Angela Hui Idée Fixe Ensemble Ilze Ikse London Contemporary Orchestra London Sinfonietta London Symphony Orchestra Matt London Loukia Loulaki Myrto Loulaki Duo Macle Metapraxis Ensemble NOISE-BRIDGE Okeanos Ensemble OnePlusOne Quasars Ensemble Andrew Power Alexander Pepelasis Quasars Ensemble Rebecca Raimondi Lorenda Ramou Madeleine Shapiro Tania Sikelianou Philip Thomas Warehouse Ensemble Ensemble Wien-Berlin James Wilson
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Artists / Companies
Aldeburgh Music Kyveli Anastasiadi Brighton Fringe Festival Consensus CIE Contagious Sounds Aline Derderian Druskomanija Festival Edinburgh Fringe Festival Fruit For The Apocalypse Greek National Opera House Depi Gorgogianni High Fest Performing Arts Festival Ingrid Hu Jo Lakin LSO Soundhub Mariana Marquez Susan Merrick Nour Festival of Arts Rebecca Perry Jennie Rawling Piedad Albarracin Seiquer Sound Thought Festival Tête à Tête Opera Festival The Party Somewhere Else Festival Mayra Stergiou Vertebra Theatre Voila Festival
Education
PhD in Composition (2012), Brunel University, London, UK (Christopher Fox, Jennifer Walshe, Richard Barrett) MA in Contemporary Music & Composition (2005), University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK (Christopher Fox) BA in Music Science & Art (2004), University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
Solo / Duo / Trio
- Solo
- Duo
- Trio
4tet / 5tet / 6tet / 7tet
- 4tet
- 5tet
- 6tet
- 7tet
Large Ensemble / Orchestra
Sisyphus Victimised (2013/14) [b.fl, b.cl, tpt, b.drum, 2vln, vla, vc, db, conductor & video - 11’] ...our saviours...(2010/11) [2pic, cl/b.cl, s.sax, a.sax, hn, tpt, 2tbn, tuba, perc, e.gtr, b.gtr, pno, 3fem.voices - 3’] Oneway Implications(2010) [en.hn, cl, acc, pno, perc, el.guitar, vln,vla, vc, db - 10’] Acoustics(2004) [6vln, 2vla. 2vc, db - 9’]Music Theatre / Opera
- DIYs
- Opera
Dance / Theatre / Installation / Film
At the heart of things(2017) [vln - 60'] -Physical theatre, dance & puppetry project Dark Matter(2015-17) [recorded media - 60'] -Puppetry & theatre project L’antigonie(2014/15) [sop, pic/fl/b.fl, al/ten sax, perc, vc - 60'] -Dance project Music Impossible (2012/13) [m.sop, cl/b.cl, pno, vln, vc – 60’] - Shadow puppetry & theatre project A Monologue (2011) [tape, narrator – 10’] - Installation (r2r tape machine project) Water Studies (2010) [voc, vln – 10’] - Dance project Salto Mortale (2010) [pno, via, vc] - Film project The Last Meal (2008) [women choir, vln, db] - Theatre project Steta Speaks (2008) [choir] - Installation (visual arts)
Selected Works & Projects
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Gluttony: Live to Drink for flutes, percussion & bottlephone (2017/18)
"I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.” - Edgar A. Poe. Premiered by James Wilson & Tenley Martin (UK) - Recording by Ilze Ikse (Latvia) & Angela Wai Nok Hui (Hong Kong), as part of the project Sisyphus Distressing [November 2017].
Duration: 21 min.
The black art of obscurantism for solo cello (& bass drum) (2013, rev.2017)
"The essential element in the black art of obscurantism is not that it wants to darken individual understanding, but that it wants to blacken our picture of the world, and darken our idea of existence.” - F. Nietzsche. Premiered by Olly Coates (UK) - Recording by Loukia Loulaki (Greece) during the WISE: Wien festival [July 2017].
Duration: 8 min.
The Book of the Dead (3 songs) for voice & piano (2014)
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A short song cycle based on poetry by Rebecca Perry (poetry & music written as part of the Britten-Pears / Aldeburgh Music 'English Song Project 2014'). Premiered by R.Edgar-Wilson (ten) & H.Watkins (pno) - Recording by V.Conacher (m.sop) & J.Barnoin (pno) [July 2014].
Duration: 10 min.
Temporality for fem.voice & clarinet (2011)
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A scene in a psychopathic hospital, between a patient locked in a room and a close relative waiting outside. Commissioned and premiered by New York-based duo NOISE-BRIDGE, Christie Finn (sop) and Felix Behringer (cl) [May 2011].
Duration: 3 min.
Routines for violin & piano (2005)
The piece explores the human need of creating and maintaining routines, and their rather destressing results in human relationships. Premiered by duo Norway-based OnePlusOne during Druskomanija 2010 festival - Recording by duo Ergon-a-Taston (Greece), Tania Sikelianou (vln) & Angelika Papanikolaou (pno) [May 2013].
Duration: 10 min.
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Implied Failure for 7 instrumentalists {b.fl b.cl 2vln vla vc db} (2009)
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The first in a series of semi-improvised pieces experimenting with visual and acoustic communication between performers. Commissioned by the Greek Composers Union and premiered by the Greek Contemporary Music Ensemble, conducted by Theodore Antoniou [December 2009].
Duration: up to 11 min.
Shot II: Orpheus & Eurydice for m.sopr. & 5 instrum. {cl b.drum pno vln vc} (2008/09)
An imaginary sequel of the Orpheus & Eurydice myth, based on poetry by Myrto Loulaki. Premiered by ensemble Idée Fixe (Greece) - Recording from a multi-disciplinary performance, as part of the Vilnius Cultural Capital of Europe 2009 programme [September 2009].
Duration: 11 min.
Fear (not) for woodwind quintet (2008)
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The piece is acoustically, visually and conceptually based around the idea of facing or not (facing away from) our everyday fears. Premiered by Ensemble Wien-Berlin (musicians of the Berlin & Vienna Philharmonics), as part of the Wiener Konzerthaus's Composition Competition Towards the next 100 years [June 2013].
Duration: 7 min.
How to... corrupt someone for 5 instrumentalists {en.hn b.cl harp vla vc} (2008)
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Using the harpist as the "soloist", the piece explores the use of the performers' physical gestures as an integral part of the composition. Premiered by the Okeanos Ensemble (UK) - Recording by the Quasars Ensemble (Czech Rep.), during the Ostrava Days Festival [August 2009].
Duration: 10 min.
Pictures of ...a journey for m.soprano & 5 instrum. {fl cl perc pno vc} (2004/05)
A presentation of different shots taken from a reverted story about a ...strange journey. The English version of the work was created in 2005, with texts by the composer and the use of E.A.Poe’s poem Lenore. Premiered by Firebird Ensemble (UK) - Recording by Chicago based ensemble Sonic Inertia (USA) [January 2009].
Duration: 21 min.
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Sisyphus Victimised for 9 musicians, conductor & video projection (2013)
“The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight. They had thought with some reason that there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labor” - A.Camus. This work has been commissioned and premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra as part of the LSO Soundhub scheme [January 2014]. Composer: Gregory Emfietzis, Conductor: Daniel Cohen Video Maker: Kyveli Anastassiadi
Duration: 12 min.
...our saviours... for three female voices & 14 musicians (2010/11)
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"[For] the [...] people, please [say] "NO" ... for a little bit of democracy, for sovereignty, for some power to [everyone on this planet] ”. Premiered by the Dutch Orkest de Ereprijs [February 2012].
Duration: 3 min.
Oneway Implications for 10 musicians (2010)
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The second in a series of semi-improvised pieces experimenting with visual and acoustic communication between performers. Recording by the London Contemporary Orchestra, conducted by Peter Wiegold [March 2010].
Duration: up to 12 min.
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Sisyphus Distressing music & theatre project (2017/18)
Sisyphus Distressing is an experimental music & theatre show, built around the myth of Sisyphus, as it was seen through the eyes of Albert Camus. It compares the absurdity of man's life with the situation of Sisyphus, a figure of Greek mythology who was condemned to repeat forever the same meaningless task of pushing a boulder up a mountain, only to see it roll down again. A typical fairy tale, it explores endless repetition and meaninglessness, struggle and failure, as well as (some sort of controversial) hope for what might come next... It was premiered in IKLECTIK (Nov'17). Devised by Gregory Emfietzis, Sisyphus Distressing focuses on the values, ethics and struggles of modern society, inspired by the well-known myth. A highly emotional sonic journey melded with a variety of non-musical elements, including drama, lighting, movement, and video. The project is supported by the Arts Council of England and the Hinrichsen Foundation. Curator/Dramatist: Gregory Emfietzis, Videographer: Kyveli Anastasiadi, Filmo/Photographer: Edd Cross, Videographer: Damian Posse, Director: Mayra Stergiou (direction).
Duration: ca 90 min.
The Darkness of Mistico (opera) for three singers, 15 musicians & women choir (rev.2013)
A chamber opera (libretto by M.Loulaki): Somewhere between Greece and Italy, somewhen lost in space-time. The plot follows the lives and deaths of two identical souls: Orpheus and Mistico. Orpheus is a mythical figure whose legacy continues even today; Mistico is a modern age man with this legacy as his burden. Produced by the Greek National Opera, with GNO orchestra (conducted by N.Vassiliou) and singers Elena Marangou, Eleni Liona, Yannis Filias [June 2013].
Duration: ap. 45 min.
Mirror, mirror on the wall for 4 instrumentalists/actors (2011)
A six-word miniature opera, partly based on the story of Snow White. Commissioned and premiered by James Young (pno) and the Warehouse Ensemble (UK), during the Tête à Tête opera festival [August 2011].
Duration: 3-5 min.
DIY4. stimulating the cellist's melatoninfor cello, viola, vocalist (+lamp) OR solo cello (+lamp) (2010)
The 4rth piece of the DIY series, and part of the Metapraxis IV: ...a dream [within a dream]... project, the piece continues exploring the use of light as a muted musical instrument. Premiered by Samara Ginsberg (vc) and the Metapraxis Ensemble, as part of musicOrbit's showcase events [November 2010].
Duration: 6 min.
DIY1. the pianist and the lampfor piano (+lamp) (2007)
The 1st piece of the DIY series, exploring the role and function of a lamp as a muted musical instrument inside a chamber music situation. Premiered by the Greek pianist Lorenda Ramou, as part of the Benaki Museum's FLUXUS : "Not for sale" exhibition in Athens [October 2007].
Duration: 8-10 min.
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L antigoniedance & music project (2015)
Dance and music realization of Antigone, based on J.Cocteau’s version of the original myth. A tribute for the hundred anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915. The project was supported by the Arts Council England, UAL Univerity of the Arts London and ACOSS International Artist Residency Program.
Choreography & Direction : Aline Derderian,Music : Gregory Emfietzis Duration: 60 min.
Défigure sur la plage inerte dance & music project (2014)
Défigure sur la plage inert (Disfigure on the inert beach): Self initiated piece of choreography for two dancers. http://defiguresurlaplageinerte.tumblr.com
Choreography & Direction : Aline Derderian,Interpretation : Jessica Calzolari & Aurélie PeronneFilmmaking : Mille Fischer Christensen, Music : Gregory Emfietzis
Music Impossible music & shadow puppet theatre project (2012/13)
In a city from which music has been forcefully banned, a group of citizens secretly manage to discover the truth about the missing sounds and colours. This is a theatrical music performance, devised and composed by Gregory Emfietzis (based on M.Loulaki's fairy tale), and presented as a shadow puppetry show. The project was supported by the Arts Council and LSO Soundhub and was performed by the Metapraxis Ensemble [May/June 2013].http://music-impossible.emfietzis.com Composer/Dramatist: Gregory Emfietzis, Director: Charlotte Ive, Scenographer: Ingrid Hu, Puppet Maker/Puppeteer: Jo Lakin
Duration: 45 min.
Liquid Evolution dance & music project (2010)
Composer Gregory Emfietzis and choreographer Mariana Lucia Marquez weave together sound and movement developed from her daily dance meditations by Lavender Pond and the Thames in South East London. In dialogue with musicians Myrto Loulaki (singer, multi-instrumentalist) and Guilermina Chivite (violin) of Metapraxis Ensemble, Marquez renders an in-the-moment interpretation of Emfietzis' score. The project was presented as part of the Fruit For The Apocalypse's Soundscapes of East London festival (World Listening Day 2010).
Sound: Gregory Emfietzis, Movement: Marina Marquez, Costume: Monica Soto Paredes