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Dimitris Maronidis (Composer)
Dimitris Maronidis (Composer)
Dimitris Maronidis (Composer)
Dimitris Maronidis (Composer)
Dimitris Maronidis (Composer)
Dimitris Maronidis (Composer)
photos by ioanna tokmakidou

Real

I am an artist based in Thessaloniki, Greece. I prefer that people listen to my music instead of reading my biography. Still, I can tell shortly that as a composer and artist, I try to approach the sound from various perspectives, usually in a playful way. In my works, I aim to synthesize a sonic phantasmagoria where the real and imaginary blend in a dream-like state and lead to unpredictable emotional journeys. I want to be free and explore my sound world without restrictions. I do not belong to or follow any particular artistic movement or trend. I am fascinated by the beauty of maths and technology in the world and in art. There is so much truth in there! Ultimately though, the only tool I can really trust is my ear. I am more interested in immersing myself in the unknown rather than repeating what I already know. I compose my music for ordinary people. You don’t need to have special education or knowledge to get into my sound world. If your mind seeks utopias, if beauty governs your heart and sorrow resonates in your soul, then there are many chances to identify yourself with some of my works. I have been through some absolutely extreme situations in my life. My music is all about transfiguring these stories into the sound domain. I feel grateful to all the people who have implemented my ideas and played my music and Ι hope you will enjoy listening to it!

Short Artistic

Dimitris Maronidis is a Greek composer of acoustic, electroacoustic, mixed media, and interactive music. In his works, he aims to synthesize these fields, and extensively explores algorithmic processes for organizing his musical material. Dimitris is the founder and director of Iannis Xenakis International Electronic Music Competition and smART and also a leading member of Contemporary Music Lab A.U.Th. He is a tenure teaching fellow at the Music Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki where he teaches the courses of Music Theory and Computer Music.

Dimitris has completed studies in composition and musicology at the State Conservatoire of Thessaloniki and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki respectively, He has studied Computer Music at the Institute of Psychoacoustics (IPSA); there he was introduced to the techniques of computer-assisted composition, sound synthesis, and electronic music theory. He completed his Ph.D. in composition at the University of York with Thomas Simaku. Dimitris was a Fulbright scholar at Harvard University and has been a visiting artist at the Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) at the University of Zurich (ZHdK).

His works, installations, and performances have been presented around the world by many ensembles and orchestras (Lorraine Symphony Orchestra (FR), State Orchestra of Thessaloniki (GR), State Orchestra of Athens (GR), Nieuw Ensemble (NL), dissonArt ensemble (GR), Piandemonium (Gr), ContraTempo Chamber Orchestra (GR), Diotima String Quartet (FR), Chimera Ensemble (UK), devotioModerna (RO), Construction Ensemble (SRB), Trio Orbit (GR), Ums ’n Jip (CH), ART-i-Shock (LV), Altera Veritas (LV), Arena Festival (LV), etc.). His electronic works are also regularly performed in many venues across the world (MusLab (Mex), MusicaViva SoundWalk (POR), Open Festival Venice Biennale (IT), Ars Electronica Forum Wallis (CH), Monaco Electroacoustic Days (MON), Espacio Sonoro (MEX), Forum Neue Musik (DE), MOMus (GR). digitIZMir (TK) e.t.c.

Academic 

Post-Doctorate

  • [2011] Harvard University, Music Department (US), Boston. Fulbright Visiting Artist. Project coordinator Chaya Czernowin.
  • [2015] Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology [ICST] ZHdK, Zurich. Artist in residence

Doctorate Studies

  • [2006-2009] University of York, United Kingdom, Department of Music. Ph.D. in Music Composition. Supervised by Dr. Thomas Simaku.

Undergraduate

  • [1998-2006] Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Music. MA/BA Dissertation on: “Programming Language Max/ΜSP as a tool for the creation of  Interactive music works with the use of Markovian Chain Algorithms”
  • [2003-2006] State Conservatory Of Thessaloniki. Composition Diploma, prof Kostas Siembis (first prize)
  • [2001-2003] State Conservatory Of Thessaloniki. Department of Fugue Writing/Analysing and Orchestration, prof Kostas Tsougras.
  • [1999-2001] State Conservatory Of Thessaloniki. Department of Counterpoint Studies, prof Kostas Siembis.
  • [1996-1999] Conservatory Prakteon, Department of Harmony Study.

Seminars

  • [2000-1] Seminars on Electronic & Algorithmic Music Composition, Institute of Psychoacoustics (IPSA), Department of Computer Music (Advisor: Katerina Tzedaki).
  • Seminar on Contemporary Music Composition– State University of Thessaloniki, Professor, David Blake, York University UK.
  • Seminar on Contemporary Music Composition Techniques (Leontios Hadjileontiadis, Helena Tulve, Theodore Antoniou).
  • [2007] Seminar on the compositional techniques of Iannis Xenakis. Iosif Papadatos, Nakas Conservatoire, Thessaloniki.

Awards | Distinctions

  • [2005] Policromia III for Ensemble, was awarded at the annual Hellenic Society Composition Competition for young composers, Athens Concert Hall (OMMA), Ensemble of Greek Contemporary Music, direction: Theodore Antoniou.
  • [2007] Ignis Fatuus for Full Orchestra, awarded the second prize at the first Paneuropean Composition Competition ‘Kostas Nikitas’. Aristotle University Concert Hall. Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra / Conductor Vladimiros Symeonidis
  • [2007] State Conservatory Of Thessaloniki. Composition Degree First Prize.
  • (2008)”Pater Noster” for Mixed Choir, Second prize at the Choral Music competition organized by the State Conservatory of Katerini.
  • [2009] WiFi TeleMusik for ensemble, interactive tape, live electronics & wireless communication. 3rd Modern Music Workshops, Thessaloniki.
  • [2012] Double Sun for ensemble. Finalist @ KOTH/dissonArt composition competition, Thessaloniki Greece
  • [2014] SonoSferics for Tape. MAARBLE Sounds of the Space Composition Competition. Maarble Outreach Team
  • [2014] Ispahan for Tape. Revolution and Metamorphosis, Piece selected to be included in a soundWalk at O’culto da Ajuda within the Musica Viva Festival 2014. November 2014.
  • [2014] Orbits for Piano and Tape. Residency Award at ICST (Zurich) Concours International de Composition de Musique Electroacoustique de Monaco 2014
  • [2015] Orbits for Piano and Tape. First Prize at Composition competition F. Liszt. Fondazione Istituto Liszt Bologna, Italy
  • [2015] Fractal [4] selected to be presented at 60×60 (2014), Louisiana Mix. USA
  • [2015] Illumination Electronique II Selected for international performances by MUSLAB. Mexico.
  • [2019] Third Prize at the Mauricio Kagel international composition competition for 4 Hommage Etudes.
  • [2019] DeFence project was selected to be presented at Thessaloniki Concert Hall after an international Call for projects.
  • [2023] Chaconne for Pno, Vln, Vlc & Electronics, Honourable Mention in Matan Givol / Meitar Ensemble Call 2023

Commissions | Workshops

  • [2005] Hellenic Society Composition Workshops. Athens Concert Hall (OMMA), Ensemble of Greek Contemporary Music.
  • [2009] Milano Incontra la Grecia. Milan 2009, in collaboration with the dissonArt ensemble. The WiFi TeleMusik Project.
  • [2009] 3rd Modern Music Workshops, Thessaloniki Megaron [OMMΘ].
  • [2009] HCMF (Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival).United Kingdom 2009, in collaboration with the Nieuw Ensemble (The Netherlands).
  • [2016]  Cat•er•waul Ensemble, United Kingdom. [commission in progress]
  • [2010] TSSO Musicians’ Society – dissonArt Ensemble, ΚΟΘ – Underground.
  • [2011] Loraine Symphonic Orchestra – Acanthes Festival, Metz, France.
  • [2011] Royal Conservatoire of Copenhagen / P. Andreoglou
  • [2012] State Orchestra of Athens. Commission for a new Orchestral Work.
  • [2012] Chamber Orchestra Contra Tempo, Commissioned Polychromia IIb. Dir V. Symeonidis. Performed at State Conservatory of Thessaloniki 5/2012.
  • [2012] Society of Musicians of The State Orchestra of Thessaloniki. Commissioned Raspberry Rain for 2  amplified percussionists. Performed at Palace Concert Hall, Thessaloniki 5/2012.
  • [2012] Music Village at Agios Lavrentios / Contra Tempo Chamber Orchestra Commission for a new “Folk Song”
  • [2012] OpenArt – Venice Biennale – Commission for the sound installation “Flag Kinetics”, Venice, Italy.
  • [2013] Riga Music Academy – commission for solo Violoncello + electronics piece (in progress)
  • [2013] Ums n Jip commission for the interactive open-form work “Ganesh Paran” – Palace Concert Hall, Thessaloniki February 2013
  • [2013] Piandemonium – Commission for a piece for 6 pianos’ played by 12 pianists piece. Thessaloniki Megaron Concert Hall (M2). November 2013.
  • [2015] Ergon Ensemble – Commission (ongoing)
  • [2016] Forum Neue Musik Hamburg – Moebius Strip I for ensemble
  • [2017] Bowling Green New Music Ensemble – Accordion Concertino |Moebius Strip II
  • [2019] Arena Festival – AlteraShock – Mise en Abime for ensemble and electronics.
  • [2019] MOMus Center for Experimental Arts, Multiplexing | a Kinetic Sound installation, Thessaloniki, Greece
  • [2019] Thessaloniki Concert Hall (ΟΜΜΘ) | DeFence | a large scale happening with the participation of students of all fine arts departments of Aristotle University | Thessaloniki, Greece
  • [2020] JVLMA – deciBels Festival | Clarinet Concerto | Cl, String Orchestra & electronics | Riga,  Latvia
  • [2020] LNSO Double Bass Orchestra | Fantasia & Toccata | 16 Solo Contrabasses | Riga, Latvia
  • [2020] digitIZMir | Isolation music series | impro for their online concerts during Covid Period | Turkey
  • [2021] Metaξ | Commission for a piano trio with electronics | New York-Thessaloniki | Greece
  • [2023] Divadlo Viola Centre | Commission for a piece for Accordion and fixed media | Slovakia

Fellowships | Grants | Residencies

  • [2006 – 2010] Fellowship for postgraduate studies at The University of York (UK), awarded by Hellenic State Scholarships Foundation (IKY, www.iky.gr)
  • [2011] ADAMI (Civil Society for Administration of the Rights of the Artists and Musicians) & SACEM (Society of music authors, composers, and Editors) Grant to attend the Acanthes 2011 Festival.
  • [2011] Fulbright Artist’s Scholarship, Harvard University Visiting Artist.
  • [2015] Onassis Foundation – Grant to attend CCME Monaco 2015
  • [2015] ICST Residency at ZHdK, Switzerland.

Technical Experience

Expertise on various platforms [OSX, Linux]. Networked Installations, Notation Software (Dorico), Digital Signal Processing (SuperCollider, Max/MSP), Digital Audio Workstations (Reaper, Logic), Computer Assisted Composition (OM), etc.

Dissertation | Papers

  • [2009] Ph.D. Thesis. Folio of Compositions & Commentary. University of York, United Kingdom
  • [2006] Undergraduate thesis at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki: Programming Language Max/MSP as a device for the creation of  Interactive Music Works based on the use of Markovian Chain Algorithms. Department of Music Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2007] Introduction to the sound organization techniques of Spectral music, State Conservatoire of Thessaloniki.
  • [2002] Recording technology, Department of Music Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2003] Introduction to Granular Synthesis, Department of Music Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2004] Analysis and Recomposition of Luciano Berio’s Sequenza I for Solo Flute using Markovian Chains algorithmic techniques, Department of Music Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Musicological Magazine: “Μουσικοτροπίες”.
  • [2006] Analysis of Luigi Nono’s orchestral work “No hay caminos, hay que caminar… Andrej Tarkowskij” Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Arts, Music Department (Dimitris Maronidis, Dimitris Tasoudis.
  • [2009] Notations 21, Theresa Sauer. Constellation (for Ensemble) Graphical Notation Piece. Published in the Graphical Scores Notation Anthology by Mark Batty Publisher (April 30, 2009). New York.

Conferences

  • [2022] Xenakis 22: Centenary International Symposium, Artistic Committee. Athens & Nafplio 24-29 May 2022
  • [2006] 1st Conference on Music Analysis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Arts, Music Department. Lecture on Luigi Nono’s work “No hay caminos, hay que caminar… Andrej Tarkowskij”
  • [2014] International Computer Music Conference ICMC|SMC 2014, Athens. Ganesh Paran for a duo with RT score generation and electronics, performed by UMS n’ JIP.
  • [2014] soniHEAD Conference | Center for Chronic deceases and Disorders, BrainWaves for tape (sonification of EMOTIV-medical data) performed on 12 September 2014, Holbeck Cinema, Department of Theatre, Film, and Television.

Membership / Leadership

Teaching Experience

  • [2022-2023] Laptop Orchestra (I + II), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2015-2023] Renaissance Counterpoint, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2015-2023] Tonal Counterpoint | Baroque Polyphony, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2015-2023] Electronic Music, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2018-2023] Interactive Music/Sound Systems, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2019-2023] Computer Music Programming (SuperCollider I + II), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2013-2014] Orchestration, State Conservatory of Thessaloniki.
  • [2011-2012] Lecturer on “Baroque Polyphony”, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2010-2011] Harmony and Composition, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2009-2010] Orchestration, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • [2003-2017] Music teacher, Hellenic Elementary Schools.
  • [2003-2005] Music Theory, Conservatory Phillipos Nakas.
  • [2008 – 2010] Music Theory, Conservatory Galaxias.
  • [2010-2012] Music Theory, Conservatory Bolero.

Collaborations | Lectures

  • Radio Broadcasting Series on the Life and Work of Igor Stravinsky. (Thessaloniki, Era3 102. FM)
  • Acoustics elaboration, creation, and post-production for the theatrical performance «Happy Birthday» by the Theatrical Group  “New Forms” in Thessaloniki.
  • Music for the dance/theatrical performance «ANGST» by the Theatrical Group “New Forms” in Thessaloniki (2008).
  • Lecture on The Development of Electronic Music during the 20th Century. Conservatory Papastathi, Trikala (2005)
  • Lecture on Music Technology & Electronic music notation. Conservatory Papastathi, Trikala [2005]
  • [2008] “Music Circus” (participation with computer installation “Les Illuminations”), organized by Danae Stefanou at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Les Illuminations for computer, University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • [2008] Lecture on creative uses of music technology and spectral music. University of York, UK.
  • [2011] Lecture on recent techniques and works. Harvard University, Music Department. Boston, MA. USA
  • [2012] Lecture on “New Technologies in Music Composition” at Summer Master Class  Sigulda Baltais Fligelis, 14-23 July 2012. Latvia
  • [2012] Masterclass on “Algorithmic Composition”. Summer Master Class at Sigulda Baltais Fligelis, 14-23 July. 2012 Latvia.
  • [2014] Masterclass on “Chances and Challenges of Computer Music”. Summer Master Class at Sigulda Baltais Fligelis, July. 2014 Latvia.
  • [2015] Music for the theatrical performance «Orestis» by Euripides. Theatrical Group “KUNST” Thessaloniki (2015).
  • [2017] Lecture  “Typing Sounds – SuperCollider”. JVLMA Riga Music Academy, 13 October. 2017,  Latvia.
  • [2018] Masterclass on “SuperCollider”. Summer Master Class at Sigulda Baltais Fligelis, July. 2018 Latvia.
  • [2020] Lecture  “Aiming in the dark | computer-acoustic music crossroads”. JVLMA Riga Music Academy, 9 March. 2020,  Latvia.
  • [2021] Masterclass on “Introduction to Electroacoustic Music”. Summer Master Class at Sigulda Baltais Fligelis, 12-23 July 2021 Latvia.
  • [2023] Masterclass on “Composing with SuperCollider – Beginners”. Summer Master Class at Sigulda Baltais Fligelis, 13-21 July 2023 Latvia.