Investigating the impact of Electroacoustic Music in Greek Culture, through a portfolio of Electroacoustic Music works based on original recordings of Traditional Greek Instruments. by Epa Fassianos

ABSTRACT My research investigated the practicability of diverse electroacoustic music compositional approaches which were applied in a series of works that explored specific relationships between real-world and abstracted sound materials, through the strategic use of pitched, melodic and non-pitched materials (and specific characters and behaviours of those materials) as integral elements in the compositional process. My main aim was to explore all of these different levels in a musical way via electroacoustic music and to present transformed aspects of Greece. In addition, I attempted to explore new electroacoustic music territories by undertaking a journey from real-world instrumental and concrete soundworlds based on Traditional Greek Instruments towards abstract soundworlds. BIOGRAPHY Epameinondas P. Fasianos (Epa Fassianos) is a Greek Composer of Electroacoustic Music. He was born in Athens in 1982. He holds a PhD Degree in Electroacoustic Music Composition. He obtained his PhD from the University of Manchester (NOVARS Research Centre), under the supervision of Professors David Berezan and Ricardo Climent. His area of interest was: Creating works of Acousmatic Music based on aspects of Greek Culture (Religion, Traditional Greek Instruments, Mythology). His works have been selected and performed in many Electroacoustic Music Festivals around the world. His work “Chromatocosmos” has been awarded the First Prize in Category A in MUSICA NOVA 2018 Competition of Electroacoustic Music in Prague, as well as the Third Prize in MUSICWORKS 2018 Competition in Toronto. In 2019, his work “ElectroSantouri” received an Honorary Mention in FORUM WALLIS 2019. Website: https://www.epafassianos.com

ElectroSantouri

ElectroSantouri (2017) is an acousmatic work which includes transformed soundworlds emerging from a traditional Greek instrument called santouri. The santouri is mainly used for traditional ceremonies such as weddings or Hellenic islands’ local feasts. I decided to make use of this instrument in a totally different way; by exploring its pitch and gestural possibilities and by using its idiomatic sound as a basis for transformed soundworlds. A number of electronic works featuring the santouri have been composed but through detailed research I found out that in these works, the instrument was used in its natural form whereas other electronic sounds were added in the background. In opposition to these works, my work features new sound textures emerging from the instrument itself as the main compositional tool.

PROGRAMME NOTES

Chromatocosmos

Chromatocosmos (2015): An electroacoustic piece which is based on baghlamas’ original recordings. Baghlamas is a traditional Greek instrument which has its roots to an Ancient Greek instrument called pandoura. In my work I made an attempt to explore the characteristics of the instrument and its relation to history and Hellenic Culture via acousmatic music. The work has references to melodic lines widely used by baghlamas’ performers but is mainly an attempt to recreate a new sonic world. I also aimed to use the instrument in innovative ways, from the recording process (use of sounds emerging from the chording of the instrument) to the development process (application of a wide range of transformations which would lead the sound in new boundaries). The addition of background cinematic-style sounds emerging from the baghlamas through various transformations, creates a constant dialogue with the foreground sounds. The various sonic colours observed as the piece evolves justify its title.

Tip

Tip