Christos Hatzis
Encyclopedia
Christos Hatzis is a Greek Canadian composer
currently a professor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
.
, Greece
and received his early music instruction at the Volos branch of the Hellenic Conservatory
. He continued his musical studies in the United states, first at the Eastman School of Music (B.M 1976 and M.M 1977) and later at the State University of New York
(SUNY) at Buffalo (Ph.D. 1982). He immigrated to Canada in 1982 and became a Canadian citizen in 1985. Hailed as “one of the most important composers in Canada” (International Musician), he is now an internationally renowned composer, being the recipient of awards such as Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award (1998), (Governor General) Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music
(1996) and two Juno Awards in 2006. and 2008
His work Constantinople was critically acclaimed and has been performed internationally. It combined music and visual media and is musically eclectic, featuring jazz, classical, and eastern elements. Performed at sold-out halls at Banff and Toronto during the summer and fall of 2004, it has been described as "A multimedia feast of the imagination...a work unlike any other in the Canadian musical literature" (Toronto Star) and “a stunning theatrical triumph” (Calgary Harold).
Hatzis' music is inspired by Christian spirituality, particularly his Byzantine heritage, and the Canadian Inuit
culture. In addition to composing and teaching, Hatzis has written extensively about composition and contemporary music.
Currently, he is working on an opera with libretto
from writer Margaret Atwood
titled "Pauline". It is based on Pauline Johnson
, a Canadian writer and poet, and is the first commission ever undertaken by City Opera Vancouver. Other projects include a commission from violinist Hillary Hahn, a piece for bass clarinet, string orchestra and audio playback commissioned by Jeff Reilly, and a new work based on poems by Elizabeth Bishop, commissioned by soprano Suzie Leblanc and Symphony Nova Scotia. On November 12, 2010, Hatzis' piece Credo will be performed by George Dalaras
, a popular Greek singer, and CityMusic Cleveland Orchestra in Avery Fisher Hall
in New York.
His composition teachers include Morton Feldman
, Lejaren Hiller, Wlodzimierz Kotonski, Samuel Adler
, Russell Peck, Joseph Schwantner and Warren Benson.
He is a member of the Canadian Music Centre
.
His works are published by Promethean Editions
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
currently a professor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
.
Biography
Hatzis was born in VolosVolos
Volos is a coastal port city in Thessaly situated midway on the Greek mainland, about 326 km north of Athens and 215 km south of Thessaloniki...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and received his early music instruction at the Volos branch of the Hellenic Conservatory
Hellenic Conservatory
The Hellenic Conservatory was founded in Athens in 1919 by the composer Manolis Kalomiris. Kalomoiris was the conservatoire's director until 1926, when he left to found the National Conservatoire. The conservatoire early on opened a number of branches throughout Athens, in a number of cities in...
. He continued his musical studies in the United states, first at the Eastman School of Music (B.M 1976 and M.M 1977) and later at the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
(SUNY) at Buffalo (Ph.D. 1982). He immigrated to Canada in 1982 and became a Canadian citizen in 1985. Hailed as “one of the most important composers in Canada” (International Musician), he is now an internationally renowned composer, being the recipient of awards such as Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award (1998), (Governor General) Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music
Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music
The Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music is a Canadian contemporary classical music award given to composers in recognition of quality new works of chamber music. Granted annually since 1978 , the prize is won through a competition administered by the Canadian Music Centre...
(1996) and two Juno Awards in 2006. and 2008
His work Constantinople was critically acclaimed and has been performed internationally. It combined music and visual media and is musically eclectic, featuring jazz, classical, and eastern elements. Performed at sold-out halls at Banff and Toronto during the summer and fall of 2004, it has been described as "A multimedia feast of the imagination...a work unlike any other in the Canadian musical literature" (Toronto Star) and “a stunning theatrical triumph” (Calgary Harold).
Hatzis' music is inspired by Christian spirituality, particularly his Byzantine heritage, and the Canadian Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
culture. In addition to composing and teaching, Hatzis has written extensively about composition and contemporary music.
Currently, he is working on an opera with libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
from writer Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Eleanor Atwood, is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C...
titled "Pauline". It is based on Pauline Johnson
Pauline Johnson
Emily Pauline Johnson , commonly known as E. Pauline Johnson or just Pauline Johnson, was a Canadian writer and performer popular in the late 19th century...
, a Canadian writer and poet, and is the first commission ever undertaken by City Opera Vancouver. Other projects include a commission from violinist Hillary Hahn, a piece for bass clarinet, string orchestra and audio playback commissioned by Jeff Reilly, and a new work based on poems by Elizabeth Bishop, commissioned by soprano Suzie Leblanc and Symphony Nova Scotia. On November 12, 2010, Hatzis' piece Credo will be performed by George Dalaras
George Dalaras
George Dalaras , also possibly spelled as Yorgos or Giorgos Dalaras, is a Greek singer. He is of international fame and has recently been selected as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency. He was born in Nea Kokinia, Piraeus. His father was Loukas Daralas, a singer of rebetiko.-Early...
, a popular Greek singer, and CityMusic Cleveland Orchestra in Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall
Avery Fisher Hall is a concert hall, in New York City and is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. It is the home of the New York Philharmonic, with a capacity of 2,738 seats.-History:...
in New York.
His composition teachers include Morton Feldman
Morton Feldman
Morton Feldman was an American composer, born in New York City.A major figure in 20th century music, Feldman was a pioneer of indeterminate music, a development associated with the experimental New York School of composers also including John Cage, Christian Wolff, and Earle Brown...
, Lejaren Hiller, Wlodzimierz Kotonski, Samuel Adler
Samuel Adler (composer)
Samuel Hans Adler is an American composer and conductor.-Biography:Adler was born to a Jewish family in Mannheim, Germany, the son of Hugo Chaim Adler, a cantor and composer, and Selma Adler. The family fled to the United States in 1939, where Hugo became the cantor of Temple Emanuel in...
, Russell Peck, Joseph Schwantner and Warren Benson.
He is a member of the Canadian Music Centre
Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world....
.
His works are published by Promethean Editions
Promethean Editions
Promethean Editions is a publisher or sheet music and promotion service for a roster of composers.It has several publication catalogues, including series devoted to living contemporary-classical composers including Gareth Farr, Christos Hatzis, Vincent Ho and John Psathas, as well as series devoted...
.
Orchestra
- Credo (2010)
- Redemption: Book 1 (2009)
- Mirage? (2009)
- Tongues of Fire (2007)
- Rebirth (2006)
- Telluric Dances (2005)
- Christos Anesti (2004)
- Sepulcher of Life (2004)
- K 627: Concereto for Piano and Orchestra in F Major in the Spirit of W. A. Mozart (2003)
- Light from the Cross (2002)
- Pyrrichean Dances (2001)
- From the Book of Job (2001)
- Farewell to Bach (1998)
- Confessional (1997)
- Zeitgeist, (1996)
- Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra (1993)
- The Gouldberg Variations, 1992
- Mortiferum Fel, (1985–1990)
- Omen, (1985)
Choral
- Psalm 91 (2008)
- From the Song of Songs (2008)
- WATER (2008)
- Easter Kontakion (2007)
- Wormwood (2005)
- Four Rituals for Percussion Quintet, Choir and Audience (2004)
- The Troparion of Kassiani (2004)
- Sepulcher of Life (2004)
- LIGHT (Arctic Dreams 2) (2003)
- Everlasting Light (1999)
- De Angelis (1999)
- Kyrie (1997)
- Heirmos (1994)
Chamber
- Symbol of Faith (2009)
- Coming To (2009) - For Hillary Hahn
- Dystopia (2009) - For Hillary Hahn
- Anaktoria (1990 rev. 2009)
- Arabesque (2009)
- Afterthoughts 2 (2007)
- Lazy Afternoons by the Lake (2007)
- Mystical Visitations (2006)
- Through a Glass Darkly (2005)
- Cruel Elegance (2004) - For the St. Lawrence QuartetSt. Lawrence QuartetThe St. Lawrence Quartet is a Canadian string quartet, and one of Canada's premiere chamber ensembles. It was founded in 1989 and has served residencies at the Juilliard School, Yale University, the University of Toronto, the Hartt School, and Stanford University...
- Four Rituals for Percussion Quintet, Choir and Audience (2004) - For NEXUSNexus (percussion ensemble)Nexus is a Toronto-based percussion ensemble that performs jazz, world music, and western avantgarde music.The ensemble is made up of percussionists Bob Becker , Bill Cahn , Robin Engelman, Russell Hartenberger, John Wyre, and Garry Kvistad. Founding member Michael Craden died of liver cancer in 1982...
- Parlor Music (2004) - For Beverley Johnston and the Amici Trio
- Afterthoughts 1 (2002)
- Constantinople (2000) - For the Gryphon Trio
- String Quartet No. 2 (The Gathering) (1999) - For the St. Lawrence QuartetSt. Lawrence QuartetThe St. Lawrence Quartet is a Canadian string quartet, and one of Canada's premiere chamber ensembles. It was founded in 1989 and has served residencies at the Juilliard School, Yale University, the University of Toronto, the Hartt School, and Stanford University...
- Melisma (1995) - Commissioned by Jean-Guy Boisvert
- Three Songs on poems by Sappho (1993)
- Burial Ground (In Memoriam: Chari Polatos) (1993) - Commissioned by the Fifth Species woodwind quintet
- Erotikos Logos (1991)
- Stylus (1990) - Commissioned by Peter HannanPeter Hannan (composer)Peter Hannan is a Canadian composer and recorder player. He was born in Montréal.Hannan studied initially at the University of British Columbia, where he received a B. Mus. in 1975. He pursued advanced studies in recorder performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, who awarded...
, Douglas Perry and Joseph Petric - On Cerebral Dominance (1987)
- Arcana (1983) - Commissioned by ArraymusicArraymusicArraymusic is a Canadian organization specializing in the performance and the promotion of contemporary classical music. It presents its virtuosic 7-member chamber ensemble, The Array Ensemble, each summer season in a 3-month series of Toronto-based concerts....
Mixed Media
- In the Fire of Conflict (2008)
- LIGHT (Arctic Dreams 2) (2003)
- Arctic Dreams 1 (2002)
- Constantinople (2000)
- Fertility Rites (1997) - Commissioned by Beverley Johnston
- Tetragrammaton (1995) - Commissioned by Anne-Marie Donovan
- String Quartet No. 1 (The Awakening) (1994) - Commissioned by the Smith QuartetSmith QuartetThe Smith Quartet is a UK based string quartet founded in 1988 that specializes in the performance of contemporary classical music, and is actively performing worldwide and recording . They have premiered over 100 works by composers such as Kevin Volans, Graham Fitkin, Michael Nyman, Karl Jenkins,...
- Of Threads and Labyrinths (1994) - Commissioned by Soundstreams Canada for Lawrence CherneyLawrence CherneyLawrence Cherney, CM is a Canadian oboist and the current Artistic Director of Soundstreams Canada. As a proponent of new music in Canada, Cherney commissioned more than 30 new works for oboe during his career...
and Erica Goodman - From the Vanishing Gardens of Eden (1992) - Commissioned by CBC RadioCBC RadioCBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
- Byzantium (1991) - Commissioned by the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance CompanyShobana Jeyasingh Dance CompanyShobana Jeyasingh Dance Company is a British dance group based in London and founded in 1988 by the company's artistic director and choreographer, Shobana Jeyasingh. The company has toured internationally including in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, New York and throughout the United Kingdom . It is...
- The Birth of Venus (1990) - Commissioned by Robert BlackRobert BlackRobert Black may refer to:* Robert Black , former head coach for the Sewanee college football team* Robert Black , British author of fiction and nonfiction...
- The Mega4 Meta4 (1990) - Douglas Perry
- Pavillons En l' Air (1989) - Commissioned by CBC RadioCBC RadioCBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
for Scott IrvineScott IrvineScott Irvine is a Canadian composer, arranger, and tuba player based in Toronto. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of the Canadian League of Composers, he has been commissioned to compose works by numerous organizations, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the...
and Beverley Johnston - Orbiting Garden (1989) - Commissioned by the Music Gallery for Anthony de Mare
- Crucifix (1988)
- Nadir (1988) - Commissioned by the Canadian Electronic EnsembleCanadian Electronic EnsembleThe Canadian Electronic Ensemble is a Canadian electronic music ensemble based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1971 by David Grimes, David Jaeger, Larry Lake and James Montgomery, it is the oldest continuously active live-electronic performing group in the world. In 1984 they performed at the...
for Peter HannanPeter Hannan (composer)Peter Hannan is a Canadian composer and recorder player. He was born in Montréal.Hannan studied initially at the University of British Columbia, where he received a B. Mus. in 1975. He pursued advanced studies in recorder performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, who awarded...
and Rivka GolaniRivka GolaniRivka Golani is an Israeli viola player.She has performed as soloist with orchestras including the Boston Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Hong Kong Symphony, Singapore Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan,... - Equivoque (1985) - Commissioned by Joseph Petric
Radiophonic
- Viderunt Omnes (1998)
- Footprints in New Snow (1996)
- The Idea of Canada (1992)
- The Temptation of St. Anthony (1987)