Andys Skordis Explained

Andys Skordis (born in Nicosia, 24 August 1983) is a Cypriot composer. Skordis was awarded the Buma Toonzetters Prize 2012 for the best Dutch composition for that year,^[1] as well as the Berlin Opera Prize 2022.^[2]

Biography

Andys Skordis studied composition and film scoring at Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2007. He followed his postgraduate studies in composition at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, studying with Richard Ayres and Wim Henderickx, graduating in 2011. Skordis has also studied Karnatic music at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Javanese gamelan with Elsje Plantema and Balinese gamelan at Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Denpasar.

He has composed over 80 works ranging from opera, symphonic works, ballet, chamber music, oratorio, music for dance and film scores. He has worked with ensembles such as Vocaallaab, Asko|Schönberg, International Ensemble Modern Academy, Third Coast Percussion group, Residentie Orkest, The Black Page Orchestra, Orkest De Ereprijs, Nieuw Ensemble, Omnibus ensemble, Synchronos, Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and Mousique Nouvelles. His music has been played in festivals including Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Holland Festival, November music, Unsafe and Sounds, Bali Arts Festival, ACC Symphony for Asia, CTM festival, Young Composers Meeting, 21st Review of Composers and Yo Opera.^[3]

Besides composing he is a multi-instrumentalist with Ogmios, and the guitarist in the band Monsieur Doumani,.^[4] In addition, he is the founder and artistic director of Patsiaoura ensemble.^[5]

Awards – selection

• 2007 Best Music Film – C.I.F.F
• 2007 Best Contemporary Film Music – N.I.F.F
• 2010 2nd prize for "Stin Vrysin ton Poion?” – Cyprus Symphony Orchestra
• 2011 Finalist for "Silkstone…are you ever going to shatter? – Orkest de Ereprijs
• 2012 Buma Toonzetters Prize for The deeper you go...the deeper you go...the deeper you go...deeper you go...you go...you?’’ – Buma Cultuur & MCN
• 2012 Finalist for "7 unceremonious occasions" – Gaudeamus Muziekweek
• 2013 1st prize for "O Ippis…Tou Ippi…E Ippei…Poios Ippei?” – Cyprus Symphony Orchestra
• 2016 International Competition for Piano Quintet for "17…why not 37?”, ISCM Korea and Asia Cultural Center
• 2019 Currents Creative Partnership – Third Coast Percussion group
• 2019 Fedora Prize for education, Opera & Ballet – Co-Operative, Greek National Opera ^[6]
• 2020 Black Pencil Prize ^[7]
• 2022 Berlin Opera Prize

Selected works

• "tattar...rattat" - Song cycle, 2024
• "Zusammen Fallen" - Opera, 2023
• "β" - Song Cycle, 2023
• "Argos Sidiros" – Opera, 2021
• "R.I.N" – percussion quartet, 2020
• "U...ZU" – Septet, 2019
• "In...Se..." – Opera for Gamelan, 2018
• "Ra…Patsia…Ou" – Opera, 2016
• "Ou…Da" – Chamber Ensemble and electronics, 2016
• "E…Sou…A?" – Oratorio for Gamelan and Choir, 2015
• "Kra…Ne" – Piano trio, 2015
• "Ou…Patsia…Ra" – Opera, 2014
• "An empty something…something empty…” – Large Ensemble, 2013
• "Tir…Mbo" – chamber ensemble, 2013
• "17…why not 37?” – piano quintet, 2013
• "Ο Ιππής...Του Ιππή...Ε Ιππή...Ποιός Ιππεί;” – Ballet for Symphony Orchestra, 2012
• "The deeper you go…the deeper you go…the deeper you go…deeper you go…you go…you?” – Large Ensemble and 5 Soprano, (2011)
• "So we commence…where?” – Piano trio, 2011
• "7 unceremonious occasions" – Brass quintet, 2010^[8]
• “...... – Στην Βρύσην των ποιών;” – Symphony Orchestra, 2010
• "Extrasolar Voices in an Absentminded Land" – Oratorio for large ensemble and Choir, 2009

External links

• Composer's own website
• Music Information Center Cyprus
• Composers 21
• Bellasartes Mexico
• CMMAS Mexico
• https://www.rootsworld.com/reviews/skordis-20.shtml
• https://philenews.com/politismos/prosopa/article/1279846/antis-skordis-moysiki-einai-apla-i-orgnosi-tis-fasarias
• Interview
• Interview
• https://web.archive.org/web/20110215152332/http://www.bensmusic.org/composerinterviews.html#AndysSkordis
• https://web.archive.org/web/20110718163445/http://www.comcy.com.cy/biographyDetails.php?catInstID=4&page=4

Notes and References

1. https://www.conservatoriumvanamsterdam.nl/en/news/2012/06/andys-skordis-wins-toonzetters-prize-2012
2. https://www.neukoellneroper.de/en/berliner-opernpreis-composition-werke-uraufgefuehrt-und-ausgezeichnet/https://www.neukoellneroper.de/en/berliner-opernpreis-composition-werke-uraufgefuehrt-und-ausgezeichnet/
3. https://www.universaledition.com/en/Contacts/Andys-Skordis/
4. https://www.monsieurdoumani.com/about
5. https://rialto.interticket.com/program/patsiaoura-ensembleflashart-2022-2685?lang=en
6. https://www.fedora-platform.com/prizes-and-grants/supported-projects/2019/winners/co-operative/45
7. https://www.blackpencil.org/black-pencil-prize-2023
8. Web site: GENOMINEERDEN VOOR GAUDEAMUS PRIJS 2012 BEKEND . Gaudeamus Muziekweek . 26 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160105122217/http://www.muziekweek.nl/2015/04/10/genomineerden-voor-gaudeamus-prijs-2012-bekend-2 . 5 January 2016 . 5 March 2012.