The Pharos Arts Foundation is kicking off its new season with the 15th International Pharos Contemporary Music Festival. This year, the festival promises over a week of vibrant performances, taking place from October 2 to October 11 in the heart of Nicosia.
A Milestone in Contemporary Music
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Pharos Contemporary Music Festival is a pioneering event in Cyprus. Organizers highlight that it was the first festival dedicated to new music ever established on the island. Over the years, the festival has introduced numerous world premieres and Cyprus debuts of significant 20th-century works that had been previously overlooked. Known for its innovation and excellence, the festival has become a cornerstone for contemporary music in Europe, providing a vital platform for collaboration between composers and leading soloists and ensembles.
Festival Highlights
The festival will unfold at the Shoe Factory in Nicosia, featuring four remarkable concerts along with various parallel events, including lectures, workshops, and educational activities aimed at young audiences.
Talea Ensemble’s Cyprus Debut
The festival kicks off with the Cyprus debut of the Talea Ensemble, a group acclaimed by the New York Times as “a crucial part of the New York cultural ecosphere.” The ensemble, honored with the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, will present the Cyprus premieres of works by renowned composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina, Gérard Grisey, Zosha Di Castri, and Chaya Czernowin. They will also perform world premieres of new compositions by Cypriot composers George Christofi and Andreas Tsiartas.
SIGMA Project’s Performance
On October 6, the Madrid-based SIGMA Project will take the stage. Awarded the prestigious BBVA Foundation’s Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Musical Creators, this saxophone quartet is celebrated for its role in advancing 21st-century instrumental music. Their program will include works by Iannis Xenakis, Salvatore Sciarrino, Mauricio Sotelo, Helga Arias, Jesús Torres, and a newly commissioned piece by Cypriot composer Effy Efthymiou.
George X Fu’s Solo Piano Recital
A highlight of the festival is the performance by Chinese-American pianist George X Fu on October 9. Fu, who has graced stages at Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center, will present Olivier Messiaen’s monumental solo piano work Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus. This piece, composed in Paris in 1944 during the Nazi occupation, showcases Messiaen’s profound musical expression.
MikeDrop Percussion Duo’s Grand Finale
The festival will conclude on October 11 with a dynamic performance by the MikeDrop percussion duo, featuring Mike Truesdell and Mike Compitello. Known for their energetic and inventive performances, the duo will present a diverse repertoire that spans from John Cage and Georges Aperghis to Domenico Scarlatti and François Couperin, and includes contemporary works by Nina Young, Javier Alvarez, Evis Sammoutis, Juri Seo, and Francois Sarhan.
Event Details
The 15th International Pharos Contemporary Music Festival will be held at The Shoe Factory in Nicosia from October 2 to October 11, with concerts starting at 8:30 PM. For more information, visit www.pharosartsfoundation.org or call 22-663871.
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