Tribute to Michalis Adamis

Alternative Stage founding donor

Alternative Stage sponsor: PPC (Public Power Company)

The Greek Composers’ Union presents a great tribute to composer and musicologist Michalis Adamis (1929-2013), one of the most important exponents of modern Greek music and a pioneer of electronic music, at the GNO Alternative Stage on 22 and 23 May. The tribute consists of two concerts featuring works by Michalis Adamis, along with an announcement and award ceremony for the winning piece of the electronic music composition competition organized by the Greek Composers’ Union in honor of the innovative creator.

The first concert (22/5) will include two works by Michalis Adamis, along with the works of the six finalists of the electronic music composition competition. The concert will be followed by the announcement and award ceremony of the winning piece.

The programme of the second concert (23/5) will include the performance of two works by Michalis Adamis, as well as works by Christos Anastasiou, Spyros Mazis, Andreas Mniestris, and Eleni Skarkou. The concert will be preceded by speeches (18.30-20.00) about Michalis Adamis’ contribution to electronic music. With the participation of Thanasis Adamis, Anastasia Georgaki, Thodoris Karathodoros, Apostolos Loufopoulos, Andreas Mniestris, Dora Panagopoulou, and Iosif Papadatos.

“The pursuit of new expressive means was an integral part of Michalis Adamis’ creative adventure. This element is confirmed by his fruitful connection to electronic music. Indeed, the composer’s electronic pieces not only prove how effective electronic sounds have been in bringing his musical ideas to life, but also show that they have been able to revitalize his musical thinking and stimulate his approach to composition as a whole. Adamis has undoubtedly managed to create an original electroacoustic soundscape, leaving a distinct aesthetic mark in the realm of contemporary art music. He explored the texture and sculpted the timbres with special sophistication, ensuring that an elaborate balance among diverse sound sources was maintained. Michalis Adamis’ electronic works are characterized by a key concept and fundamental principle: the enthusiastic interplay between a musical concept and the process of creating music, viewed from a groundbreaking perspective that explores the sound of music and how it evolves during every stage of composition” - Thodoris Karathodoros