Manos Panayiotakis
*5 September 1982
Works by Manos Panayiotakis
Biography
Manos Panayiotakis (1982) is a Greek composer and musicologist (BA Musicology, National Kapodistrian University of Athens; MA, PhD Composition, University of York, funded by State Scholarship Foundation). He studied with composers T.Antoniou and T.Simaku, and with acclaimed flutist I.Glinka. He has collaborated with ensembles and orchestras in Europe and USA, such as ALEA III (Illustration, under G.Schüller, Boston University), Webern Symphony Orchestra (Echosymplokon, under S.Pironkoff, ISCM Vienna), and The Chimera Ensemble. He was a resident composer in Visby International Centre for Composers (Sweden 2016). He has taught at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Technical University of Crete, and has presented papers in international conferences (Sibelius Academy, Trinity College, Lithuanian Academy of Music & Theatre, European University Cyprus). The idioms of his works often reflect his cultural heritage. His works have been recorded by Sarton Records and Phasma Music.
About the music
My compositional language explores modality through instrumental timbral potential, using conventional and extended techniques. My works are often inspired from my cultural background, traditional musical idioms, modes and contemporary sonic manifestations. My programmatic works are often informed from Greek history, ancient mythology and works of great philosophers, or from concepts and phenomena linked to astronomy, physics, and the exploration of the universe. My non-programmatic works explore abstract thoughts, ideas and concepts (e.g. ’Illustration’, ‘Echosymplokon’). Technical parameters (melodic shaping, harmonic material, structure) are based on intuitive processes, or utilize algorhythms (IRCAM OpenMusic software) and mathematic formulas. My compositions include works for large and chamber orchestras, smaller ensembles, and solo works, including vocal music, and miniatures. As a flutist, I enjoy composing for the flute family, in a solo or a wider instrumentation context.