For all enquiries: GREGORY [at] EMFIETZIS [dot] COM - To receive occasional updates by email: SUBSCRIBE
About, Links& Contacts
I am a London-based sound artist / composer, performer / producer and educator. This webpage functions as an archive of my creative work and collaborations. You can check my interview at Tim Rutherford-Johnson's blog, and some reviews on thespyinthestalls, bachtrack and livelondonpost. It might also worth checking my work with the Metapraxis Ensemble.
Updates,
Blogs & Profiles
Occasionally, I post about my current work as sound artist & designer on Tumblr and release some of my music on Spotify and Bandcamp. My older blog about my activity as composer (between 2011-18) lives on Wordpress, and recordings of the music can be found on Soundcloud and Vimeo (and below). I am self-publishing scores of my music on Bandcamp.
Archive list ofPerformances
2024 29-31/05: Murcia, Spain New Work for Dance & Multimedia § Piedad Albarracin Seiquer ^ Reactivo cultural línea Puertas de Castilla @ Cuartel de Artillería 05/02 : London, UK Multimodal Communication through Sound & Image MA Workshop § School of Arts @ Kingston University 2023 10/12: London, UK Electra Untitled § Vertebra Theatre @ Arcola Theatre 21-26/8: Edinburgh, UK An Ice Thing To Say (as part of) Edinburgh Fringe § Vertebra Theatre @ Lime studio, Greenside venues 10/06 : London, UK M8: Meet Mingle Play Family Workshop § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Landmark Arts Centre 4-6/4: London, UK Electra Untitled § Vertebra Theatre @ The Cockpit 11/03 : London, UK M7: Music:Building Family Workshop § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Landmark Arts Centre 28-30/1: London, UK An Ice Thing To Say (as part of) Vault Festival § Vertebra Theatre @ Cavern, The Vaults 2022 17/9: London, UK Recycled Sounds Installation (as part of) Trash to Treasure Fest @ Landmark Arts Centre 11/9: Utrecht, Netherlands Hestia (as part of) Let Me Tell You Something § Angela Hui Wai Nok @ Gaudeamus 2021 26-27/11: London, UK nonRADIO Mental § Angela Hui, Myrto Loulaki @ Bread & Roses Theatre 29/10: London, UK Hestia (as part of) Let Me Tell You Something § Angela Hui Wai Nok @ IKLECTIK 27-28/07 : Hong Kong Hestia (as part of) Let Me Tell You Something § Angela Hui Wai Nok @ Cattle Depot Artist Village 15/06 : Gerrards Cross, UK Codex Rex Requiem @ St Joseph's Parish 2020 09-24/12 : Murcia, Spain Duelo Por Un Tiempo Que Una Vez Fue § Piedad Albarracin Seiquer ^ Reactivo cultural líneaPuertas de Castilla @ Cuartel de Artillería 07/11 : London, UK An Ice Thing To Say § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Talos SciFi Theatre Festival @ The Cockpit / Online Performance 09/07 : Reykjavik, Iceland An Ice Thing To Say § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Reykjavik Fringe Theatre Festival @ Live Online Performance 04/06 : London, UK New Work - COMMISSION § Angela Wai Nok Hui @ IKLECTIK (postponed) 16/05 : Brighton, UK An Ice Thing To Say § Vertebra Theatre Company @ Open Air Theatre (postponed) 01-31/05 : London, UK #MusicMay2020: Online Music Workshops § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Live Online & Pre-recorded 27&28/03 : London, UK M6: Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ The Bread & Roses Theatre (postponed) 10&11/03 : Bristol, UK M6: Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Alma Tavern & Theatre 07/02 : Athens, Greece Fear (not) § Aeolos Woodwind Quintet ^ Μια γέφυρα μουσικήςπάνω από την Συγγρού Vol.5 @ Onassis Cultural Centre Athens 2019 03/11 : London, UK M7: Music:Building Family Workshop § Metapraxis Ensemble @ IKLECTIK 08/10 : London, UK M7: Music:Building School Workshop § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Jubilee Primary, Lambeth 02/06 : London, UK M7: Winter Journey § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Cafe OTO 25/05 : Berlin, Germany At the Heart of Things § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ ArtHaus Berlin Theatre Festival @ Eden Studios 13/04 : London, UK M7: Winter Journey § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Omnibus Theatre 09-13/04 : London, UK Dark Matter § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ A Piece of the Continent Festival @ Tristan Bates Theatre 02/02 : London, UK M7: Winter Journey § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Hundred Years Gallery 29/01 : London, UK Little is left to tellGluttony: Live to Drink § A.Hui, I.Ikse & L.Loulaki ^ Borough New Music: Series 12 Featured Composer:Gregory Emfietzis @ St George the Martyr 2018 15/11 : London, UK M6: Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble ^ Voila! Europe Theatre Festival @ The Cockpit Theatre 21/09 : New York, USA At the Heart of Things § Vertebra Theatre Company @ Castillo Theatre 08/07 : Vienna, Austria DIY1: the pianist & the lamp § Bataclava Quintet ^ Concierto Para Quinteto @ Mozarthaus Vienna 04/07 : London, UK M6: Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Cafe OTO 19-22/04 : London, UK At the Heart of Things § Vertebra Theatre Company @ Blue Elephant Theatre 10/04 : Vienna, Austria Little is left to tell § Loukia Loulaki ^ Unbegleitet - Konzertzyklus @ Mi Barrio 27/03 : London, UK M6: Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Blue Elephant Theatre 23/03 : Nottingham, UK At the Heart of Things § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ The Party Somewhere Else Festival @ Nottingham Playhouse 2017 14 & 18/11 : London, UK At the Heart of Things § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Voila! Europe Festival @ Cockpit Theatre 07/11 : London, UK M6: Sisyphus Distressing § Metapraxis Ensemble @ IKLECTIK 22-26/08 : Edinburgh, UK Dark Matter § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Edinburgh Fringe Festival @ Greenside Venue 19/07 : Leeds, UK Gluttony: Live to Drink7 deadly sins project § J.Wilson & T.Martin @ Leeds College of Music 04/07 : Vienna, Austria The Black Art of Obscurantism § Loukia Loulaki ^ WIENtegriert: WISE Chamber Music Festival @ Altes Rathaus, Bank Austria Salon 23/06 : Sheffield, UK An ice thing to say § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Migration Matters Festival @ Moor Theatre Delicatessen 13/06 : London, UK Dark Matter § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Creativity and Wellbeing Week @ Little Angel Theatre 05/06 : York, UK Gluttony: Live to Drink:7 deadly sins project § J.Wilson & A.Pepelasis ^ Creative Processes in the Arts Conference @ York University 01/06 : Brighton, UK Dark Matter § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Brighton Fringe @ Rialto Theatre 12/05 : Glasgow, Scotland Gluttony: Live to Drink:7 deadly sins project § J.Wilson & A.Pepelasis ^ Sound Thought Festival @ Centre for Contemporary Arts 2016 06/11 : London, UK Homeland Project § Vertebra Theatre Company ^ Nour Festival @ Drayton Arms Theatre 12/09 : Utrecht, The Netherlands Sisyphus Victimised ^ 42nd International Computer Music Conference @ TivoliVredenburg 2015 08/10 : Yerevan, Armenia L'Antigonie Dance Project § CONSENSUS Dance Company ^ High Fest Int. Performing Arts Festival @ State Chamber Theatre 24/09 : London, UK Dark Matter § Vertebra Theatre Company @ Omnibus Theatre 10 & 11/08 : London, UK Dark Matter § Vertebra Theatre Company @ Etcetera Camden Theatre 08 & 09/05 : London, UK L'Antigonie Dance Project § CONSENSUS Dance Company § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Tripspace Projects 14/05 : Athens, Greece Entropia § G.Tsangarakis & V.F.Kiazimi ^ Greek Composers' Union's Concert Series @ Fillipos Nakas Conservatory 2014 02/12 : Athens, Greece Entropia § Duo Arsis (S.Lampouras & M.Makri) ^ Greek Composers' Union's Concert Series @ Fillipos Nakas Conservatory 20/07 : London, UK The song of the dead ^ Aldeburgh Music's English Song Project § V.Conacher & J.Barnoin @ Club Inegales 14/07 : Frankfurt, Deutschland The song of the dead § T.Mpasdekis & P.Tukiainen ^ Master-Abschluss-Konzert @ Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main 24/05 : Lanciano, Italy ^ (Con)fusioni 2014 § Duo Macle @ Auditorium Diocleziano 11-15/03 : London, UK ^ Dark Matter ^ Vertebra Theatre Company @ Omnibus Theatre 22/03 : Aldeburgh, UK ^ Aldeburgh Music's ^ English Song Project § R.Edgar-Wilson & H.Watkins @ Snape Maltings 22/02 : Athens, Greece ^ ABOUT's residency § Angelica Cathariou @ Theocharakis Auditorium 11/01 : London, UK ^ London Symphony Orchestra's ^ Soundhub Showcase (B) § London Symphony Orchestra @ LSO St. Lukes 2013 08/12 : London, UK ^ New Music Show 4 § London Sinfonietta @ Southbank Centre 25/11 : Pescara, Italy ^ MAGFEST.it § Duo Macle @Spazio Matta 22/09 : London, UK ^ Some Recent Silences § Apartment House @ Kings Place 11/08 : Brezzo, Italy ^ "I Concerti di Casa Paolo" § Duo Macle 29 & 30/06 : Athens, Greece ^ Greek National Opera's Competition § Greek National Opera Orch. @ Olympia Theatre - Lyriki Skini 15/06 : London, UK ^ "Music Impossible" project § Metapraxis Ensemble @ All Saints Church, East Sheen 04/06 : Vienna, Austria ^ Wiener Konzerthaus's Competition "Towards the Next 100 Years" § Berlin & Vienna Philharm. @ Mozart-Saal, Wiener Konzerthaus 24, 25 & 26/05 : London, UK ^ "Music Impossible" project § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Iris Theatre, Covent Garden 21/05 : Athens, Greece § Duo Ergon-a-Taston ^ (T.Sikelianou & A.Papanikolaou ) @ Athenaeum Cultural Centre 18/05 : London, UK ^ London Symphony Orchestra's Soundhub Showcase (A) § Metapraxis Ensemble @ LSO St. Lukes 16/01 : London, UK ^ LSO Soundhub Workshop § LSO players & GSMD students @ LSO St. Lukes 2012 26/10 : Leeds, UK ^ pR_1: [Post]Analogue § Underscore @ Leeds University 19-20/10 : Coventry, UK ^ INTIME 2012 Symposium § Madeleine Shapiro @ Coventry University 28-30/08 : Bordeaux, France ^ Temp'όra International Meeting for Musical Creation § Duo Macle @ Le Rocher de Palmer 27/03 : clockopera.com ^ Clock Operation Debut Track § ThisIsFakeDIY 27/02 : London, UK ^ pR_1: [Post]Analogue § Underscore @ Goldsmiths University 2011 24/10 : London, UK ^ pR_1: [Post]Analogue § Underscore @ St Anne's Church 11 & 12/8 : London, UK ^ Tête à Tête Opera Festival § Warehouse Ensemble @ Riverside Studios 16/6 : London, UK ^ Researching the Arts Conference § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Brunel University 29/5 : Vilnius, Lithuania ^ Druskomanija Festival § OnePlusOne @ Druskininkai Town Museum 26/5 : New York, USA ^ Contagious Sounds Concert Series § NOISE-BRIDGE @ Gershwin Hotel 3/4 : Surrey, UK ^ Japan Tsunami Appeal Concert § Nao Maebayashi, Red Cross Fundraising 18/3 : Grimsby, UK ^ Lightworks Festival 2011 @ Grimsby Minister 10/3 : London, UK ^ Chaos Theory Concert Series § Metapraxis Ensemble @ Blag Club 18/2 : Apeldoorn, Holland ^ YCM 2011 § Orkest de Ereprijs @ Gigant Filmtheater 2010 28/11 : london, uk ^ ekon festival § metapraxis ensemble @ theatro technis 18/11 : london, uk ^ music orbit showcase series § metapraxis ensemble @ chelsea theatre 12/9 : london, uk § nao maebayashi @ roehampton university 22/7 : darmstadt, germany ^ darmstadt institute § asamisimasa ensemble 18/7 : london, uk ^ world listening project § metapraxis ensemble w/ mar.marquez 16/7 : london, uk § nao maebayashi, fruit for the apocalypse @ cafe oto 13/7 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ guildhall smd 30/5 : vilnius, lithuania ^ druskomanija festival § oneplusone 29/5 : vilnius, lithuania ^ druskomanija festival § in spe 24/3 : london, uk § carter wind ensemble @ guildhall smd 10/3 : london, uk § london contemporary orchestra @ brunel university 19/2 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ the space 18/2 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ brunel university 16/2 : london, uk § research seminar w/ metapraxis ensemble @ roehampton university 28/1 : athens, greece § alexandros theodorakopoulos @ athenaeum 14/1 : huddersfield, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ huddersfield university 2009 10/12 : athens, greece § hellenic group of contemporary music @ goethe institute 26/11 : london, uk § metapraxis ensemble @ roehampton university 19/09 : vilnius, lithuania ^ european capital of culture 2009 @ trade union palace 25/08 : ostrava, czech republic ^ ostrava days festival § quasars ensemble 26/4 : thessaloniki, greece § idée fixe @ thermi culture centre 1/4 : london, uk § myrto loulaki, helena brown @ roehampton university 8 & 9/1 : chicago, usa § sonic inertia @ sherwood conservatory of music 2008 03, 04/11: london, uk § okeanos ensemble @ guildhall smd 17/08: mazsalaca, latvia § quintus anima 06/07 : london, uk ^ ekon festival § andriana minou 16, 23 & 25/06 : london, uk ^ byam shaw § rachel greaves 14/05 : london, uk § teresa vila @ brunel university 23 & 24/04 : london, uk § roehampton chamber singers & chamber orchestra @ jubilee theatre (r.u.) 12/03 : athens, greece § lorenda ramou @ aetopouleio concert hall 06/01 : athens, greece § myrto loulaki, andriana minou @ matey dance school 2007 14/12 : london, uk § myrto loulaki, andriana minou @ barnes methodist church 14/10 : athens, greece § lorenda ramou, fluxus exhbition @ benaki museum 21/03 : athens, greece § ilektra karanikola, georgia smerou @ parnassos
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Recently
I am currently focusing on multi-disciplinary projects with Metapraxis, as well as other companies and individual artists.Some of this work can be found under the Dance/Theatre/Film and Music Theatre/Opera tabs below.
The most recent additions include:
the physical theatre & dance Electra UNTITLED, the sound installation Recycled Sounds, the composition Hestia, the video project don't shoot, it's just me and the physical theatre show An Ice Thing To Say.
Biography
I am making music that tends to be structured around narratives; it has been described as sound scenography or sonic theatre as it often combines acoustical and visual elements.
Some of my compositions, such as the miniature opera Mirror, mirror on the wall, are written as much for actors as musicians. Others, such as Gluttony, tend towards a more instrumental theatre. I have also initiated and produced larger scale collaborative projects that extend beyond music and over other art forms (dance, theatre, video, creative writing, design): the shadow puppetry show Music Impossible, and the music & theatre performance Sisyphus Distressing.
I grew up in Greece, playing the violin and singing in choirs and vocal ensembles. Following a degree in Music Science and Art, I moved to the UK to study composition with Christopher Fox, Richard Barrett and Jennifer Walshe at Huddersfield and Brunel Universities.
Notable performances of my compositions include the quintet Fear (not) premiered by ensemble WienBerlin at the Wiener Konzerthaus, and the solo cello The Black Art of Obscurantism -a commission by the London Sinfonietta- performed by Olly Coates at the Southbank Centre. Also, the opera The Darkness of Mistico staged at the Greek National Opera House, the solo piano DIY 1: the pianist & the lamp performed by Philip Thomas at Kings Place, and Sisyphus Victimised for 9 musicians and video projection premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Ensemble.
I co-found and direct the Metapraxis Ensemble (alongside Myrto Loulaki), setting up platforms for older and new music to coexist under the umbrella of interdisciplinary events and educational projects. Beyond presenting my own work, I have been curating and producing projects that feature the work of living composers/sound artists and also writers, visual artists and designers.
Recent educational projects include: [MUSIC:BUILDING], a creative composition concept that combines music-making and architecture (presented in a number of London’s primary schools), and #MUSICMAY2020, a series of 21 music activities for all ages and abilities (delivered online during the national lockdown).
Awards
2021 Finalist of Kaleidoscope's Chamber Orch 20/21 Call for Scores (USA, LA) 2020 Recipient of Emergency Response Fund Arts Council - England (UK) 2019 Recipient of Grant Marchus Trust (UK) for the project Music:Building 2017 Recipient of funding support Hinrichsen Foundation (UK) for the project Sisyphus Distressing Recipient of 'Grant for the Arts' Arts Council - England (UK) for the project Gluttony: Live to Drink 2015 Recipient of 'Grant for the Arts' Arts Council - England (UK) for the project L'antigonie 2014 Selected for Tenso's Young Composers Workshop (Belgium) Selected for Aldeburgh Music's English Song Project (UK) 2013 Recipient of 'Composer Bursary / Bliss Trust' PRS for Music Foundation (UK) for the opera The Darkness of Mistico Recipient of 'Grant for the Arts' Arts Council - England (UK) for the project Music Impossible Selected for London Sinfoniettas's Writing the Future Scheme (UK) 2012 Winner of Wiener Konzerthaus's "Towards the next 100 years" Int. Composition Competition (Austria) Winner of Greek National Opera's Open Call for Opera Projects Nat. Composition Competition (Greece) Winner of ABOUT Cultural Venue's Residency with Angelica Cathariou (Greece) Winner of Coventry University's INTIME 2012 Symposium Int. Composition Competition (UK) Selected for London Symphony Orch's LSO Soundhub Scheme (UK) Selected for Temp'όra's International Meeting for Musical Creation (France) 2011 Selected for Orkest de Ereprijs's Young Composers Meeting (Netherlands) Selected for the Opera Group's Mentoring Project (UK) 2010 Finalist of Verona Academy's Int. Chamber Opera Competition (Italy) Selected for Darmstadt Music Institute's Reading Sessions (Germany) Selected for Fruit of the Apocalypse's World Music Day (UK) 2009 Finalist at the Synthermeia III Int. Composition Competition (Greece) Selected for Ostrava Days's Institute & Festival (Czech Republic) Selected for Vilnius 2009: European Capital of Culture's Music Visualisation Laboratory (Lithuania) 2008 Winner of Sonic Inertia Ensemble's Int. Chamber Music Competition (USA) Selected for BMIC's Workshop with Okeanos Ensebmle (UK) Selected for Int. Wksp for Young Composers (Latvia)
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Musicians / Ensembles
Apartment House Ensemble Duo Arsis Asamisimasa Ensemble George Barton Angelica Cathariou Oliver Coates Vivien Conacher Richard Edgar-Wilson Orkest de Ereprijs Rosha Maura Fitzhowle Neil Georgeson Greek Contemporary Music Ens. Greek Nat. Opera House Orch. Wai Nok Angela Hui Idée Fixe Ensemble Ilze Ikse London Contemporary Orchestra London Sinfonietta London Symphony Orchestra Matt London Loukia Loulaki Myrto Loulaki Duo Macle Metapraxis Ensemble NOISE-BRIDGE Okeanos Ensemble OnePlusOne Quasars Ensemble Andrew Power Alexander Pepelasis Quasars Ensemble Rebecca Raimondi Lorenda Ramou Madeleine Shapiro Tania Sikelianou Philip Thomas Warehouse Ensemble Ensemble Wien-Berlin James Wilson
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Artists / Companies
Aldeburgh Music Kyveli Anastasiadi Brighton Fringe Festival Consensus CIE Contagious Sounds Aline Derderian Druskomanija Festival Edinburgh Fringe Festival Fruit For The Apocalypse Greek National Opera House Depi Gorgogianni High Fest Performing Arts Festival Ingrid Hu Jo Lakin LSO Soundhub Mariana Marquez Susan Merrick Nour Festival of Arts Rebecca Perry Jennie Rawling Piedad Albarracin Seiquer Sound Thought Festival Tête à Tête Opera Festival The Party Somewhere Else Festival Mayra Stergiou Vertebra Theatre Voila Festival
Education
PhD in Composition (2012), Brunel University, London, UK (Christopher Fox, Jennifer Walshe, Richard Barrett) MA in Contemporary Music & Composition (2005), University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK (Christopher Fox) BA in Music Science & Art (2004), University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece
Solo / Duo / Trio
- Solo
- Duo
- Trio
4tet / 5tet / 6tet / 7tet
- 4tet
- 5tet
- 6tet
- 7tet
Large Ensemble / Orchestra
Sisyphus Victimised (2013/14) [b.fl, b.cl, tpt, b.drum, 2vln, vla, vc, db, conductor & video - 11’] ...our saviours...(2010/11) [2pic, cl/b.cl, s.sax, a.sax, hn, tpt, 2tbn, tuba, perc, e.gtr, b.gtr, pno, 3fem.voices - 3’] Oneway Implications(2010) [en.hn, cl, acc, pno, perc, el.guitar, vln,vla, vc, db - 10’] Acoustics(2004) [6vln, 2vla. 2vc, db - 9’]Opera / Music & Theatre
- Opera / Music & Theatre
- DIYs
Dance / Theatre / Installation / Film
Electra Untitled(2023) [vln & electronics - 60'] -Physical theatre & dance project Recycled Sounds(2022) [choirs, ensemble, electronics - 9'] -Sound Installation don't shoot, it's just me(2020) [pno - 8'] -Music Video project CONMOCIoN(2020) [electronics - 6'] -Dance Video project An Ice Thing To Say(2020) [vln - 60'] -Physical theatre & music project At the heart of things(2017) [vln - 60'] -Physical theatre, dance & puppetry project Dark Matter(2015-17) [recorded media - 60'] -Puppetry & theatre project L’antigonie(2014/15) [sop, fl, sax, perc, vc - 60'] -Dance project Music Impossible (2012/13) [m.sop, cl/b.cl, pno, vln, vc – 60’] - Shadow puppetry & theatre project A Monologue (2011) [tape, narrator – 10’] - Installation (r2r tape machine project) Water Studies (2010) [voc, vln – 10’] - Dance project Salto Mortale (2010) [pno, via, vc] - Film project The Last Meal (2008) [women choir, vln, db] - Theatre project Steta Speaks (2008) [choir] - Installation (visual arts)
Selected Works & Projects
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Electra Untitledphysical theatre & dance project (2023)
Electra Untitled is a feminist/queer adaptation of the greek tragedy of Sophocles; Electra. Dance, puppetry and visual storytelling reconstruct Electra’s story, which she owns and rewrites through the lens of female gaze. Electra becomes a modern antihero; tangled in violence that runs for generations of patriarchal suppression. The performers transform the stage to retell the ancient myth and address Electra’s archetype to its core researching a feminist re-looking of the character and the tragedy as a whole. Electra Untitled adds a modern twist to an old narrative and brings forward the role of women who provoke change in times of hostility and dissolution.
Concept/Adaptation/Direction: Mayra StergiouDevised/Choreographed & Performed by: Susie Fairbrother, Christina Gyftaki, Pelagie-May Green, Depi Gorgogiani, Emilie Largier, Claire Monique Martin, Masumi Saito, Mayra StergiouRecorded & Live Music by Greg Emfietzis
Recycled Soundscommunity project (2022)
A collaborative sonic project created in the run-up to the Recycle Your Electricals exhibition (part of Trash to Treasure Fest). Electrical items were used as sound generators, alongside musical instruments, talking voices, building and environment sounds, and the singing of the three Landmark choirs.
All recordings took place at the Landmark Arts Centre, TeddingtonLyrics, Concept, Composition, Editing & Mixing by Greg EmfietzisPirate Mark song – Music & Lyrics by Greg Emfietzis
Choirs & Conductors:Mansong and Eleanor RastallLandmark Sound and Ruth EvansLandmark Singers and Charles MacDougallTalking Voices: Debbie BartlettEmily BurtonColin NewtonHarper RayAbigail ThomasInvited Artists:Daniel Figols (cello)Ilze Ikse (flutes)Myrto Loulaki (voice)
don't shoot, it's just memusic video project (2020)
In the dark, a pianist begins to play. (S)he continues, as though nothing is out of the ordinary, until unexpectedly a small table lamp lights up and (s)he stops, apparently under its spell. The light goes off, and (s)he starts to play again. This dialogue – music/dark; silence/light – continues with increasing agitation until finally the pianist takes control of the music and switches the lamp off for good.
(Tim Rutherford-Jones on DIY 1: the pianist and the lamp)
As part of a personal attempt to re-use/purpose/cycle/present older material, this is the 1st instalment of the DIYs reworked series.
Composition & Videography : Gregory Emfietzis,Filming : Damian Posse,Poetry : Myrto Loulaki,Performance : Neil Georgeson
CONMOCIoNdance video project (2020)
The 1st of 7 films under the title Duelo Por Un Tiempo Que Una Vez Fue by dancer/choreographer Piedad Albarracin Seiquer, supported by Reactivo cultural línea (Puertas de Castilla), and exhibited at Cuartel de Artillería (Murcia, Spain) throughout December ’20.
Choreography, Performance & Videography: Piedad Albarracin SeiquerMusic: Gregory Emfietzis
An Ice Thing To Sayphysical theatre & music project (2020)
In an Icy land of ruins, a human being and a polar bear are meeting in an encounter of surviving the Anthropocene Era. “An Ice Thing to Say” blends Ice installation, music, movement and puppetry to explore our impact upon nature and compassion as a catalyst for change. Drawing on inspiration from Erich Fromm’s book ‘To Have or to Be?’ and Ecoscenography, we invite the audience into a multi sensory experience of our inner and outer icy landscapes. We attempt to challenge the idea that the human being is at the centre of the world and we attempt to construct an embodied inquire into ‘what has gone wrong?’ It was presented at the Reykjavik Fringe Festival 2020 (live, online) and at The Cockpit Theatre as part of Talos Science Fiction Theatre Festival 2020 (on demand).
Associate Director: David GlassConcept / Scenography: Mayra StergiouSound Designer: Gregory EmfietzisChoreography: Piedad Albarracin SeiquerPuppet Maker: Raven KalianaCo-Scenography / Costume Design: Elisabeth LeauDevised and performed by: Piedad Albarracin Seiquer, Gregory Emfietzis, Mayra StergiouVideo Performer/ Mask Maker: Stella EvangeliaSinging: Myrto LoulakiFilming: Theo ProdromidisProduction: Vertebra Theatre
Duration: 60 min.
At the heart of thingsphysical theatre & music project (2018/19)
At the heart of things’ is a dance theatre performance inspired by Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis. We use dance, puppetry, live music and devised text to create a contemporary adaptation of De Profundis diving in to female sexuality, queer identity and homophobia.
Performers: Piedad Albarracin Seiquer, Depi Gorgogiani, Jennie RawlingLive Musician: Gregory EmfietzisDirected/conceived: Mayra StergiouMusic Composer: Gregory EmfietzisPuppet Maker: Kelly FrostSet Design: Loukia MinetouChoreography Support: Adrian Look
Press”Truly enjoyable, sensitive piece of dance theatre” London Live Post“An innovative take on De profundis and an arresting exploration of female sexuality” A younger theatre’
Duration: 60 min.
Dark Mattertheatre project (2015-18)
People say your whole life flashes in front of your eyes before you die but what happens when you have dementia? Where does the brain go before we die? Alfi, an elder astrophysicist with dementia guides us into his universe, a world of star constellations. Dark matter theory and black holes merge in a race against the clock to distinguish fantasy from reality and discover meaning.
Puppeteers: Adam Courting, Daniel Finn, Aurora Adams, Alicia Britt, Jennie RawlingPerformer: Piedad Albarracin SeiquerDirected/conceived: Mayra StergiouWriters: Eirini Dermitzaki & Mayra StergiouMusic Composer: Gregory EmfietzisPuppet Maker: Kelly FrostDramaturg: Tilly LunkenSet Design: Stella Evangelia, Mayra Stergiou
Press***** ‘Beautifully done’ Fringe Review**** ‘Beautiful visualisations’ FringeGuru**** ‘Wonderful Production’ LondonTheatre**** ‘Excellent production’ Southside Advertiser**** ‘The joy of this piece is the rarity of its exploration’ The Upcoming**** ‘Mesmerising’ In CoventGarden”Those eyes will stay with me for a long time.” The British Theatre Guide“Dark Matter harnesses everything puppetry has to offer” A Younger Theatre‘Wonderfully Whimsical’ The Guardian
Duration: 60 min.
L antigoniedance & music project (2015)
Dance and music realization of Antigone, based on J.Cocteau’s version of the original myth. A tribute for the hundred anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915. The project was supported by the Arts Council England, UAL Univerity of the Arts London and ACOSS International Artist Residency Program. It was presented at TripSpace (London) and HighFest (Yerevan, Armenia)
Choreography & Direction : Aline Derderian,Music : Gregory Emfietzis
Duration: 60 min.
Défigure sur la plage inertedance video project (2014)
Défigure sur la plage inert (Disfigure on the inert beach): Self initiated piece of choreography for two dancers.http://defiguresurlaplageinerte.tumblr.com
Choreography & Direction : Aline Derderian,Interpretation : Jessica Calzolari & Aurélie PeronneFilmmaking : Mille Fischer Christensen, Music : Gregory Emfietzis
Music Impossible music & shadow puppet theatre project (2012/13)
In a city from which music has been forcefully banned, a group of citizens secretly manage to discover the truth about the missing sounds and colours. This is a theatrical music performance, devised and composed by Gregory Emfietzis (based on M.Loulaki’s fairy tale), and presented as a shadow puppetry show. The project was supported by the Arts Council and LSO Soundhub and was produced and performed by the Metapraxis Ensemble [May/June 2013].http://music-impossible.emfietzis.com
Composer/Dramatist: Gregory Emfietzis, Director: Charlotte Ive,Scenographer: Ingrid Hu, Puppet Maker/Puppeteer: Jo Lakin
Duration: 60 min.
Liquid Evolutiondance & music project (2010)
Composer Gregory Emfietzis and choreographer Mariana Lucia Marquez weave together sound and movement developed from her daily dance meditations by Lavender Pond and the Thames in South East London. In dialogue with musicians Myrto Loulaki (singer, multi-instrumentalist) and Guilermina Chivite (violin) of Metapraxis Ensemble, Marquez renders an in-the-moment interpretation of Emfietzis’ score. The project was presented as part of the Fruit For The Apocalypse’s Soundscapes of East London festival (World Listening Day 2010).
Sound: Gregory Emfietzis, Movement: Marina Marquez, Costume: Monica Soto Paredes
Hestiafor percussion & electronics (+lamp) (2020-21)
Hestia is a board game / composition for a single player and remotely controlled media. An experimental approach to composition with a set of rules and directions that gradually allow the performer to create their own version of the piece.
It was commissioned by percussionist Angela Wai Nok Hui (funds from Arts Council England & Hong Kong Arts Development Council) and performed in Hong Kong, UK and The Netherlands (Gaudeamus Festival Sep’22).
Duration: ca 15 min.
Sisyphus Distressingmusic & theatre project (2017-20)
Sisyphus Distressing is an experimental music & theatre show, built around the myth of Sisyphus, as it was seen through the eyes of Albert Camus. It compares the absurdity of man’s life with the situation of Sisyphus, a figure of Greek mythology who was condemned to repeat forever the same meaningless task of pushing a boulder up a mountain, only to see it roll down again. A typical fairy tale, it explores endless repetition and meaninglessness, struggle and failure, as well as (some sort of controversial) hope for what might come next…
It was premiered at IKLECTIK (London, Nov’17). Devised by Gregory Emfietzis, Sisyphus Distressing focuses on the values, ethics and struggles of modern society, inspired by the well-known myth. A highly emotional sonic journey melded with a variety of non-musical elements, including drama, lighting, movement, and video. The project is supported by the Arts Council of England and the Hinrichsen Foundation.
Curator/Dramatist: Gregory Emfietzis, Videographer: Kyveli Anastasiadi, Filmo/Photographer: Edd Cross, Videographer: Damian Posse, Director: Mayra Stergiou (direction).
Duration: ca 90 min.
The Darkness of Mistico (opera)for three singers, 15 musicians & women choir (rev.2013)
An opera (libretto by M.Loulaki): Somewhere between Greece and Italy, somewhen lost in space-time. The plot follows the lives and deaths of two identical souls: Orpheus and Mistico. Orpheus is a mythical figure whose legacy continues even today; Mistico is a modern age man with this legacy as his burden. Produced by the Greek National Opera, with GNO orchestra (conducted by N.Vassiliou) and singers Elena Marangou, Eleni Liona, Yannis Filias [Athens, June 2013].
Duration: ap. 45 min.
Mirror, mirror on the wallfor 4 instrumentalists/actors (2011)
A six-word miniature opera, partly based on the story of Snow White. Commissioned and premiered by James Young (pno) and the Warehouse Ensemble (UK), during the Tête à Tête opera festival [London, August 2011].
Duration: 3-5 min.
DIY4. stimulating the cellist's melatoninfor cello, viola, vocalist (+lamp) OR solo cello (+lamp) (2010)
The 4rth piece of the DIY series, and part of the Metapraxis IV: …a dream [within a dream]… project, the piece continues exploring the use of light as a muted musical instrument. Premiered by Samara Ginsberg (vc) and the Metapraxis Ensemble, as part of musicOrbit‘s showcase events [London, November 2010].
Duration: 6 min.
DIY1. the pianist and the lampfor piano (+lamp) (2007)
The 1st piece of the DIY series, exploring the role and function of a lamp as a muted musical instrument inside a chamber music situation. Premiered by the Greek pianist Lorenda Ramou, as part of the Benaki Museum’s FLUXUS : “Not for sale” exhibition in Athens [Athens, October 2007]. Recording by Nao Maeyabashi [London, 2010].
Duration: 8-10 min.
Little is left to tellfor solo cello (2018/19)
“Saw the dear face and heard the unspoken words. No need to go to him again, even were it in you power. Nothing is left to tell.” – S.Beckett. Commissioned and premiered by Loukia Loulaki (Greece) as part of the Borough New Music: Series 12 [London, January 2019].
Duration: 15 min.
Gluttony: Live to Drinkfor flutes, percussion & bottlephone (2017/18)
“I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.” – Edgar A. Poe. Premiered by James Wilson & Tenley Martin (UK) – Recording by Ilze Ikse (Latvia) & Angela Wai Nok Hui (Hong Kong), as part of the project Sisyphus Distressing [London, November 2017].
Duration: 21 min.
The black art of obscurantismfor solo cello (& bass drum) (2013, rev.2017)
“The essential element in the black art of obscurantism is not that it wants to darken individual understanding, but that it wants to blacken our picture of the world, and darken our idea of existence.” – F. Nietzsche. Premiered by Olly Coates (UK) – Recording by Loukia Loulaki (Greece) during the WISE: Wien festival [Vienna, July 2017].
Duration: 8 min.
The Book of the Dead (3 songs)for voice & piano (2014)
A short song cycle based on poetry by Rebecca Perry (poetry & music written as part of the Britten-Pears / Aldeburgh Music ‘English Song Project 2014’). Premiered by R.Edgar-Wilson (ten) & H.Watkins (pno) – Recording by V.Conacher (m.sop) & J.Barnoin (pno) [London, July 2014].
Duration: 10 min.
Temporalityfor fem.voice & clarinet (2011)
A scene in a psychopathic hospital, between a patient locked in a room and a close relative waiting outside. Commissioned and premiered by New York-based duo NOISE-BRIDGE, Christie Finn (sop) and Felix Behringer (cl) [New York, May 2011].
Duration: 3 min.
Routinesfor violin & piano (2005)
The piece explores the human need of creating and maintaining routines, and their rather destressing results in human relationships. Premiered by duo Norway-based OnePlusOne during Druskomanija 2010 festival – Recording by duo Ergon-a-Taston (Greece), Tania Sikelianou (vln) & Angelika Papanikolaou (pno) [Athens, May 2013].
Duration: 10 min.
Implied Failurefor 7 instrumentalists {b.fl b.cl 2vln vla vc db} (2009)
The first in a series of semi-improvised pieces experimenting with visual and acoustic communication between performers. Commissioned by the Greek Composers Union and premiered by the Greek Contemporary Music Ensemble, conducted by Theodore Antoniou [Athens, December 2009].
Duration: up to 11 min.
Shot II: Orpheus & Eurydicefor m.sopr. & 5 instrum. {cl b.drum pno vln vc} (2008/09)
An imaginary sequel of the Orpheus & Eurydice myth, based on poetry by Myrto Loulaki. Premiered by ensemble Idée Fixe (Greece) – Recording from a multi-disciplinary performance, as part of the Vilnius Cultural Capital of Europe 2009 programme [Lithuania, September 2009].
Duration: 11 min.
Fear (not)for woodwind quintet (2008)
The piece is acoustically, visually and conceptually based around the idea of facing or not (facing away from) our everyday fears. Premiered by Ensemble Wien-Berlin (musicians of the Berlin & Vienna Philharmonics), as part of the Wiener Konzerthaus’s Composition Competition Towards the next 100 years [Vienna, June 2013].
Duration: 7 min.
How to... corrupt someonefor 5 instrumentalists {en.hn b.cl harp vla vc} (2008)
Using the harpist as the “soloist”, the piece explores the use of the performers’ physical gestures as an integral part of the composition. Premiered by the Okeanos Ensemble (UK) – Recording by the Quasars Ensemble (Czech Rep.), during the Ostrava Days Festival [Ostrava, August 2009].
Duration: 10 min.
Pictures of ...a journeyfor m.soprano & 5 instrum. {fl cl perc pno vc} (2004/05)
A presentation of different shots taken from a reverted story about a …strange journey. The English version of the work was created in 2005, with texts by the composer and the use of E.A.Poe’s poem Lenore. Premiered by Firebird Ensemble (UK) – Recording by Chicago based ensemble Sonic Inertia (USA) [Chicago, January 2009].
Duration: 21 min.
Sisyphus Victimisedfor 9 musicians, conductor & video projection (2013)
“The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight. They had thought with some reason that there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labor” – A.Camus. This work has been commissioned and premiered by the London Symphony Orchestra as part of the LSO Soundhub scheme [London, January 2014].
Composer: Gregory Emfietzis, Conductor: Daniel CohenVideo Maker: Kyveli Anastassiadi
Duration: 12 min.
...our saviours...for three female voices & 14 musicians (2010/11)
“[For] the […] people, please [say] “NO” … for a little bit of democracy, for sovereignty, for some power to [everyone on this planet] ”. Premiered by the Dutch Orkest de Ereprijs [Apeldoorn, February 2012].
Duration: 3 min.
Oneway Implicationsfor 10 musicians (2010)
The second in a series of semi-improvised pieces experimenting with visual and acoustic communication between performers. Recording by the London Contemporary Orchestra, conducted by Peter Wiegold [London, March 2010].
Duration: up to 12 min.