ATHANASIA KONTOU
Workshop with ensemble recherche
9.12.2020-11.12.2020
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First phase of the ensemble's 2020/21 KlassenArbeit project.
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https://www.ensemble-recherche.de/klassenarbeit?lang=en
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ARCHIVE
Premiere of "andLaugh" for violin and viola
11.06.2025 - 19:00, alte Schmiede, Vienna
For the past year I have been practicing a new artform: stand-up comedy.
I find it to be a fascinating artform, and for the one year I have been exploring it, I have discovered in it many parallels to my familiar practice as a contemporary classical and experimental music maker.
At the same time, the cultural contexts and performance practices of the two artforms are drastically distinct. Written for the brilliant andPlay duo, in this piece, I try bring these two artforms in discourse in a didactic yet entertaining (or hopefully even funny) way.
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Performers:
andPlay duo
violin: Maya Bernando
Viola: Hannah Levinson
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Event:
https://alte-schmiede.at/programm-3/recital/maya-bennardo-hannah-levinson
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With thanks to SKE for supporting the commission of this work.
Premiere of "Stories of vulnerability: a ritual"
24.2.25 - KUG, Graz,
Collaboratively composed with Arianna Pittino, as part of the Team Composition Program at Impuls Academy, run by Matthew Shlomowitz and Dimitris Polisoidis.
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This open score creates a space for vulnerability, shared storytelling, and musical exploration, blending personal experiences with collective improvisation. ​
Performers from PPCM ensemble.
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Performance of "After the Sundown" for piano
14.2.2025 - 19:00, Alte Schmiede, Vienna, Austria
Performance of "reflected perspectives" for two clarinets
08.11.2024 - 20:00, Peer Hat, Manchester
"reflected perspectives" was collaboratively composed with Tywi Roberts. It will be performed as part of UnHeard's upcoming event, an opening act for Tullis Rennie's new album.
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Performers:
Johanna Leung
Poppy Philigren
Premiere of "Es tat fast weh" for clarinet and piano
04.10.24, 19:00, Alte Schmiede, Vienna
Piano: Mathias Johannes Schmidhammer
Clarinet: Barbara Neu
https://alte-schmiede.at/programm-3/recital/barbara-maria-neu-mathias-johannes-schmidhammer
With thanks to SKE for generously supporting the commission of the piece.
Singing-songwriting/stand-up comedy set at aNOther festival
24.05.24, Theater am Spittelberg, Vienna
Athanasia performed three new songs, combined with stand-up comedy jokes as part of her set titled:
We need to talk about feelings. Some songs and jokes about some feels.
https://www.anotherfestival.org
Voice and piano recital - Premiere of "Σ' αγαπÏŽ γιατί..."
24.03.24, 20:00 - 30chairs, Kozani, Greece
Athanasia accompanied her sister, soprano Giota Kontou, at a voice and piano recital with music by the Greek National School of Music (early 20th Century).
The recital was held as part of 30chairs, a successful concert series in Athanasia's hometown, Kozani, Greece.
The duo also premiered a new work written especially by Athanasia for the occasion, for voice, piano and track, called "Σ'αγαπÏŽ γιατί..." ("I love you for...").
Recording:
https://youtu.be/ULuo8TD2AnM
Set at Sunday Best Music
25.02.24, Eagle Inn, Salford, UK
Athanasia embarked on her singing/songwriting journey by performing a set of three new songs of hers, with Sanja Cin on vocals. A video recording is available upon request.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sundaybestmusic/
Performing at monodrama "Songs of Descent" by Phoenix Rousiamanis
24.02.24, 18:00 - NIAMOS, Manchester, UK
Athanasia is delighted to have played the piano part in the Manchester performance of Songs of Descent. A masterful monodrama for soloist and sinfonietta ensemble by talented emerging composer Phoenix Rousiamanis. The premiere was funded by a PRS Openf Fund award.
Feature interview for PRXLUDES magazine
November 2023
Read it here:
https://prxludes.net/2023/11/13/athanasia-kontou/
Nomination for an Ivor Novello Award for Best Large Ensemble Composition
October 2023
Athanasia is honoured that her work Antigone: pure in her crime, received a nomination for an Ivor Novello Award (Best Large Ensemble work)
The Ivors Classical Awards, judged and presented by The IvorsAcademy, took place on 14th November in London.
#TheIvorsClassicalAwards
https://ivorsacademy.com/awards/the-ivors-classical-awards/
Artistic research doctorate at the mdw
October 2023, Vienna, Austria
Athanasia is excited to begin her Doctorate studies at the mdw, as an artistic researcher at the Doctor Artium course, with supervisors Clara Iannotta, Johannes Kretz, and Tasos Zembylas.
It is an honour to be one of the only six applicants selected for this year.
You can read more about her research here:
https://www.mdw.ac.at/ar_center/de/dissertation-projects_de/
Collaboration with Insimul Sinfonietta
30.09.2023, Bergen, Norway
Music written for an event as part of the BrassWinden festival.
Conductor: Omer Shteinhart.
Sound artist/improv: John Derek Bishop
Music by Bofan Ma, and Tywi Roberts.
https://www.insimulsinfonietta.com/omoss
https://brasswind.ticketco.events/no/en/e/brasswind_2023
Collaboration with Insimul Sinfonietta
05.06.2023, Stavanger, Norway
Music written for an event as part of the Wonderful World festival.
Conductor: Omer Shteinhart
Sound artist/improv: John Derek Bishop
Music by Bofan Ma, and Tywi Roberts
https://www.insimulsinfonietta.com/omoss
https://www.wonderfulworld.no/
Workshop with the Hallé Orchestra
28.04.2023, Manchester
Workshop of "Chambers Of Grief", with conductor Josephine Korda from the RNCM.
Recording with Trio Estatico​
25-26.04.2023, Paris
Athanasia was honoured to be one of the five participants of Trio Estatico's Composers Workshop 2022.
This was the final stage of the workshop, where the trio recorded the pieces which were written for them.
Premiere of "frame/pith (homage to Buxtehude" for wind ensemble
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20.11.2022, Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool, 19:30
Originally for solo organ, arranged for the UnHeard collective's next event: [Un]Locked
More information: https://www.unheardlive.com/event-details/unheard-un-locked
Premiere of "Reflected perspectives" for two clarinets
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30.07.2022, St. Margaret's Church, Whalley Range, Manchester
Co-written with composer Tywi Roberts for the UnHeard: Changeling concert.
Clarinets:
Johanna Leung
Poppy Philligreen
More information:
https://www.unheardlive.com/whats-on
https://www.facebook.com/events/1410782342682054
Premiere of "Two Unlocked Miniatures"
20.11.2022, Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool, 19:30
New work composed collaboratively with composer Rob Laidlow, especially for the UnHeard collective's next event[Un]Locked.
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More information: https://www.unheardlive.com/event-details/unheard-un-locked
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Workshop with Trio Estatico
16-17.06.2022, Frankfurt
Athanasia is delighted to have been chosen as one of the participants for the distinguished Trio Estatico's Composers Workshop 2022.
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https://www.trio-estatico.com/composers-workshop2022
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Workshop with Sound of Contagion
20-22.05.2022, Universität der Künste Berlin
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Athanasia was pleased to participate in a workshop organised by the Sound of Contagion team.
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The Sound of Contagion is a creative collaboration between researchers at the University of Oxford, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the Universität der Künste Berlin.
The project explored how AI, music composition, and narrative theory intersect to help us think in more innovative ways about how creativity and technology can be used to mutual benefit.
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World premiere of "Antigone:pure in her crime" for vocalist and chamber orchestra
21.04.2022, 19:30, Tung Auditorium, Liverpool, UK
Vocalist: Rosie Middleton
Conductor: Clark Rundell
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More information and tickets:
https://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/classical-music/ensemble-1010/4021
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World premiere of work for Rackwick Bay, for string sextet
31.03.2022, 19:30 -Hallé St. Peters, Manchester, UK
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Commissioned by Psappha Ensemble for their 30th season.
More information and tickets:
https://www.psappha.com/event/the-last-island/
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World premiere of "it has been a long year (time flies)
02.12.21 - Ensemble Haus, Freiburg im Breisgau
World premiere of "After the sundown"
12.9.21 - International Anthony Burgess Foundation
Arranged for large ensemble by the UnHeard Hybrid Orchestra.
Conductor: Omer Shteinhart
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https://www.anthonyburgess.org/event/concert-unheard-hybrid-orchestra-present-unquote/
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Performed by ensemble recherche
Oboe: Eduardo Olloqui
Viola: tbc
Piano: Klaus Steffes-Holländer
Percussion: Christian Dierstein
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Online workshop with ensemble recherche
26.7.21 - 29.7.21 - Freiburg im Breisgau
Second phase of the ensemble's 2020/21 KlassenArbeit Project. ​
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Find out more:
https://www.ensemble-recherche.de/klassenarbeit
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Premiere of music theatre work at IMPULS
24.02.25- 16:00, Hermann-Markus-Preßl-Saal, Graz, Austria
Collaboratively written with Arianna Pittino as part of IMPULS Team Composition Program.
Performers: PPCM Ensemble, Athanasia Kontou, Arianna Pittino.
https://www.impuls.cc/de/festival-2025/konzerte/242-1600
Radio performance of "unedited" for viola trio
04.3.2025 - 20:00, Radio Helsinki
As part of impulsradio #4 - celebrating Womens' Day: an hour of young female composers
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Listen here: https://helsinki.at/program/143143/
Premiere of work for violin and viola (title tbh)
11.6.25 - 19:00- Alte Schmiede, Vienna, Austria
Athanasia is excited to be writing a concert piece for the acclaimed andPlay duo.
Maya Bernando: violin
Hannah Levinson: viola​​
World premiere of "systole/diastole (in a heartbeat)" for freebass accordion
27.5.21 - Hallé at St. Peters, Manchester
Accordion: Miloš Milivojević
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The work was composed for Miloš , as part of Psappha Ensemble's Composing for accordion 2020 scheme. This was its first public performance.
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https://www.psappha.com/event/in-focus-music-for-accordion/
Online broadcast of "After the Sundown" for solo piano
18. 3.2020
Zoom workshop with ensemble recherche
08.12.2020-09.12.2020
First phase of the ensemble's 2020/21 KlassenArbeit project.
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Find out more:
https://www.ensemble-recherche.de/klassenarbeit
YouTube premiere of "systole/diastole (in a heartbeat)" for freebass accordion
2.11.2020 - 20:00 - YouTube Premiere
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Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7I59LUgc2c
Recorded as part of the Composing for Scheme, organised by Psappha Ensemble in association with the PRS Foundation;
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freebass accordion: Miloš Milivojević
Premiere of earworm for solo acapella voice
12.3.2020 - 19:30 - Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
Commissioned by the Sounds Like THIS festival 2020
Performer: Vanessa Guinadi
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Premiere of petit svita for cello and classical guitar
4.3.2020 - 19:30 - Carole Nash Recital Room, RNCM, Manchester
As part of the RNCM Composers' Concert
Cello: Rob Wheatley
Classical guitar: Ravi Nathwani
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Premiere of Music from two sleep onsets for alto saxophone and accordion
18.2.2020 - 19:00 - Akademie für Tonkunst, Darmstadt, Germany
As part of the Zeiströme festival
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Alto-saxophone: Grace Julite
Accordion: Dascha Goldberg
Performance of After Psappha for chamber ensemble
28.11.2019 - 19:30 - Halé at St. Peters, Manchester
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As part of Psappha's 2019-2020 Manchester season.
http://www.psappha.com/event/songs-of-the-world/
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Christopher Brooks Composition Prize
1.11.2019
Athanasia is honoured to be this year's Christopher Brooks Composition Prize recipient, by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in association with The Rushworth Foundation.
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Premiere of Uncle Moon for chamber ensemble
1.11.2019 - 19:30 - Concert Hall, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
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For clarinet, violin, cello & percussion.
Performed by players from Psappha, as part of the New Music Manchester Festival.
Participation in Composing for Freebass accordion Scheme by Psappha Ensemble
13.9.2019
Athanasia is excited to have been selected as one of the participants in Psappha Ensemble's Composing for scheme, with the world-renowned accordionist Miloš Milivojević.
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https://twitter.com/PsapphaEnsemble/status/1176205125100146688
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Premiere of Su le forme di Santa Lucia for cello & harpsichord
18.7.2019 - 21:30 - Auditorium Falcone, Montepulciano, Italy
As part of the 8x8 Contemporanee sonore mappe poliziane concert, of the 44th Cantiere Internazionale d'arte in Montepulciano, Italy.
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Performers from the ensemble degliIntrigati
Premiere of 4 vocalises for piano and voice
25.6.2019 - 19:30 - Carole Nash Recital Room, Royal Northernc College of Music, Manchester
Voice: Helene Mathiesen
Piano: Celia Denore Lopez
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Premiere of EXPOSED for wind quintet
15.6.2019 - 19:30 - Gold Medal Competition, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Athanasia is excited to have been chosen as one of the finalists for the RNCM Gold Medal Competition 2019.
Her work EXPOSED , will be premiered by Festivo Winds.
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https://www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/gold-medal-chromatsas-kontou-taylor/
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Premiere of paradoxical sleep for symphony orchestra
2.5.2019 - 19:30 - Concert Hall, Royal Northernc College of Music, Manchester
As part of the Brand New Day conert.
Conductor: Rory Storm
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Performance of VI miniatures for solo piano
8.3.2019 - 20:30 - Museum of Byzantine Culture, Thessaloniki, Greece
As part of a concert with piano works by female Greek composers.
Pianist: Katerina Papazoglou
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Premiere of "Adagio and Allegro" for alto saxophone and guitar
5.3.2019 - 19:30 - Carole Nash Recital Room, Royal Northernc College of Music, Manchester
As part of a concert with works by student composers from the RNCM.
Mark Reid: guitar
Tasuku Noguchi: alto saxophone
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Performance of "Koda (Hommage to R. Schumann)
for solo piano
25.2.2019 - Quo Vadis, Vienna
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Performed by the dedicatee of the work, Fateme Beytollahi
Performance of "Koda (Hommage to R. Schumann)
for solo piano
17.2.2019 - 11:15 - Kaisersaal, Vienna
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Performed by the dedicatee of the work, Fateme Beytollahi
Sana live at TOP e.V.
16.2.2019 - 20:30 - TOP e.V. Berlin
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Free improvisation night with the improv groups Room338: Stephen Bradshaw (violin), Rob Smith (oboe) & Athanasia Kontou (organ) and a flute and a box/afaab: Lisa Baeyens (flute), Vassilis Theodorou (electronics) in Berlin.
Workshop with the BBC Singers
28.1.2019 - London
Athanasia is delighted to have been selected to participate in a workshop with the BBC Singers, organised by the RNCM. Her new choral piece "lizmonia" was workshopped at a session led by Judith Weir CBE.
Performance of "Another Zorba..." for orchestra
24.1.2019 - Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Performed by the RNCM's Brand New Day Orchestra.
Premiere of "short etude (on the arduousness of pluralism and the genesis of an echo-chamber)" for solo piano
17.1.2019 - Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Commissioned and performed by Adam Swayne, for the concert "New Music, New Politics - (speak to me) Album Launch"
Premiere of "primes eternal (some music of the primes)
23.10.2018 - Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Composed for the event "Music of the primes", organised by PRiSM and Marcus du Sautoy.
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Performed by the Marvolo String Quartet
Premiere of "Lines and Circles"
26.8.2018 - Kozani Folklore Museum, Kozani
VIolin: Maria Louisa Geladari Hanicz
Clarinet: Dimitris Leontzakos
Piano: Dimitris Demopoulos
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As part of the Lassaneia festival.
Patricia Cunliffe Composition Prize
1.7.2018
Athanasia is delighted to have been awarded with the RNCM Patricia Cunliffe Composition Prize.
Premiere of "Odysseus/Penelope"
26.6.2018 - Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Poetry by Katie Byford
Soprano: Lucy Temby
Piano: Brian Low
Performance of "Lines and circles" for clarinet, violin and piano
24.6.2018 - Landcommanderij Alden Biesen, Belgium
"Lines and circles" (extracts) will be performed at an open workshop by members of the ensemble deCompagnie as part of the AlbaNova 2018 festival.
Premiere of "Six or seven short pieces (a few more Osannas)" for sinfonietta
20.6.2018 - Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
This work was commissioned by the RNCM New Ensemble and will be performed as part of the Gilbert- Gorb festival.
Performance of "Songs with words" for mezzo soprano and string trio
13.8.2018 - LEAF on Portland St, Manchester
Mezzo- Soprano: Avra Haraka
Violin I: Will McGahon
Violin II: Philip Rousiamanis
Cello: Kotryna R. ŠiugždinytÄ—
Conductor: Otis Enokido Lineham
As part of the Kinetic #3 night.
Performance of "V of VI miniatures" for solo piano
17.5.2018 - IBZ Saal, Berlin
Pianist: Katerina Papazoglou
SANA - Free improvisation with Room338 and Pod31
12.5.2018, 20:00 - Fuel Cafe Bar, Manchester
Room338 from Manchester meets Pod31 from Berlin for a free improv night. Live painting by Caroline Bordignon
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Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2123639934327719/
Performance of "After Psappha" for chamber ensemble
1.5.2018 - Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
"After Psappha" is a composition based on poetry by the ancient Greek poet Sappho.. It was composed for a workshop with the Manchester-based new music ensemble Psappha.
It will receive its first public perfomance by students from the RNCM.
Premiere of "Antimusical" for chamber ensemble
27.4.2018 - Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
"Antimusical" is a setting of a poem by John-Paul Burns, for reciter, mezzo-soprano, viola and percussion
It will be performed as part of the Rosamund prize concert at the Carole Nash Recital Room at the RNCM.
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Reciter: Robert Smith
Mezzo- Soprano: Chelsea Burns
Viola: Peter Hartley
Percussion: Aidan Marsden