Nicosia is hosting the inaugural International Academy of Young Composers Cyprus from 26 June to 1 July, bringing together composers, musicians, academics, and educators from Cyprus, Europe, and Asia for six days of free concerts, lectures, workshops, and world premieres.
The academy is held under the artistic direction of composer Andreas Kameri, within the framework of the international program The Intensive Summit: ILINM Campus Summer Academy. Its central aim is to promote contemporary Cypriot music through encounter with international artists and networks, creating a platform for dialogue between different schools of thought, cultures, and aesthetic approaches.
The program spans concerts, lectures, workshops, educational activities, and world premieres of new works, pitched at both music professionals and the wider public.
The artists
Invited composers and mentors include Mark Andre, Oscar Bianchi, Klaus Lang, Mehdi Hosseini, Christina Athinodorou, Andreas Tsiartas, and Deqing Wen. Performing ensembles and soloists include the Chronos Contemporary Music Ensemble, the Lyrical Noise Ensemble, Swiss-Swedish cellist Karolina Öhman — who has given world premieres of more than 200 works — and Swiss improvisers Christian Kobi and Tomas Korber.
The programme
The academy opens on 26 June at the Severis Foundation (CVAR) at 8pm, with the Chronos Contemporary Music Ensemble under the direction of Theodoros Kameri performing works by Dieter Ammann, Oscar Bianchi, Andreas Kameri, Mehdi Hosseini, and Klaus Lang. The evening includes the world premiere of Lang’s “Dreamland Cyprus.” The ensemble features Virginie Bove (flute), Giorgos Georgiou (clarinet/bass clarinet), Rami Sariedine (piano), Mario Nikolaou (percussion), Sorin Alexandru Horlea (violin), and Miranda Papaneocleous (cello).
Mr 27 June at the Spillies GalleryKarolina Öhman presents a solo cello recital at 8pm with works by Christina Athinodorou, Lisa Streich, Juliana Hodkinson, Aregnaz Martirosyan, Tomas Korber, and Dieter Ammann.
The 28 June concert at the Arte Music Academy features the Lyrical Noise Ensemble — Giorgos Georgiou (clarinet/bass clarinet) and Mario Nikolaou (percussion) — in works by Andreas Moustoukas, Mark Andre, André Boucourechliev, Andreas Tsiartas, Deqing Wen, and Antis Skordis. Founded in 2016, the ensemble has built a reputation for what has been described as energetic and inspired performances, with a focus on music of the 20th and 21st centuries.
29 June brings the program outdoors to Eleftheria Squarewhere Swiss improvisers Christian Kobi (saxophone) and Tomas Korber (electric guitar) present an evening of free improvisation exploring the boundaries between sound, space, and live musical creation. Kobi has been active for more than three decades, developing a personal artistic language rooted in listening, presence, and sonic detail. Korber works as a composer, producer, and improviser, with a primary focus on electroacoustic music and film scores.
Mr 30 June at ARTos Houseflautist Eva Stavrou — one of the most active flautists of her generation in contemporary music — presents a solo flute recital with works by Christina Athinodorou, Phaidros Kavalaris, Artemis Aifotiti, Oscar Bianchi, Kyriakos Kostas, Kaija Saariaho, Vasiliki Legaki, and Evagoras Karagiorgis.
The academy closes on 1 July at the Arte Music Academy with the Chronos Contemporary Music Ensemble performing works by the young composers taking part in the academy, from a range of countries and musical traditions: Periklis Sdravopoulos, Aras Azandi, Yingting Liu, Stella Ziopoulou, Shin Mizutani, Nikolas Psaras, Kyun Song, Connor Simpson, and Xiaowen Lei.
Beyond its artistic program, the academy aims to establish a lasting platform for collaboration between Cyprus and the international new music community.
All concerts are free and start at 8pm.
