“Five Minutes With” contemporary classical composer and musicologist, Michalis Andronikou

Michalis Andronikou is a composer and musicologist currently residing in Calgary, AB. He holds a PhD in composition from the University of Calgary. He received his Bachelor’s and Integrated Master’s degrees in musicology from the Department of Music Studies, University of Athens, Greece. He has a Diploma in Classical Guitar, Clarinet and Music Theory from the Trinity College and the Royal Academy of Music, and a Diploma in Byzantine Music from the Argyroupolis Municipal Conservatory. Michalis gained credentials in Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, and Music Composition (with Theodore Antoniou) from the Hellenic Conservatory.

Moreover, he has studied Greek folk instruments such as lute, tampoura and bouzouki. Michalis has composed music for small and large ensembles, theatre plays, art exhibits, movies, and songs. Seven CDs with his works have been released since 2003, and his scores are published by the Canadian Palliser Music Publishing, the Bulgarian Balkanota, the Italian Da Vinci Edition, and the English Trübcher Music Editions.

Michalis Andronikou is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre, a member of the Canadian League of Composers, a member of the Greek Composers Union and a member of the Center of Cypriot Composers.

Michalis Andronikou

Name:

Michalis Andronikou

Genre:

Contemporary Classical Music

Founded:

I started composing when I was 19, in 1996, but my music studies started very early in my life.

# of Albums:

Seven personal albums, and many participations in collective CDs

Zeugma, improvisations spontanè, CD, fourteen collaborative improvisations on bouzouki (Michalis Andronikou) and Marimba (Rod Squance), released by, EMI Music, Plaza Mayor Company Ltd, London, UK, 2017.

Latest single:

“In Memoriam Theodore Antoniou”. Performed by trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos (from the Pink Martini and The Canadian Brass) and harpist Coline Orliac. I composed this piece to honour one of my composition teachers, Theodore Antoniou (1935-2918).

Latest video:

Recorded in Bläserhaus, at the Hochschule für Musik, in Detmold, Germany, on the 10th of July, 2021.

Favourite musician as a teenager:

Manos Hatzidakis

Favourite musician now:

Arvo Pärt

Guilty Pleasure Song:

“Nessun dorma” from Turandot by Puccini

Live Show Ritual:

Push-ups

Favourite local artist:

Land’s End Ensemble

EP or LP?

LP

Early bird or night owl?

Night Owl

Road or studio?

Studio

Any shows or albums coming up?

I have some concerts coming up in Europe, with artists that commissioned pieces during the pandemic, and a few here in Canada.

Here is a piece that I currently promote:

 

Rapid Fire Calgary Qs

Favourite local Restaurant:

Bonterra Trattoria

Favourite Street?

Everridge Common, because I live here.

Favourite Music Venue?

Jack Singer Concert Hall

Favourite Park?

Glenmore Park (my son’s favourite park)

Favourite Calgary Staple?

Walking along Memorial Drive by the river

Where can we follow you?

Website | YouTube | SoundCloud | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

 

 

About Demian Vernieri 628 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.