Christina Athinodorou (b.1981, Paphos) is composer. Her catalogue comprises of more than 70 compositions to date, written for instrumental, vocal and electronic forces, from solo to orchestra, multidisciplinary projects and opera. Her music is marked by her strong preoccupation with pacing and with the treatment of light.
In recognition of her “captivating” orchestral writing, works such as Votrys (2014), Intermède pour une mer jamais vue (2012), Alma (2012) and Quatre Silences (2008) and others, have received awards and performances by symphony orchestras including the Tonkünstler Orchester, Athens State Orchestra, Jyväskylä Sinfonia Finlandia, Orchestre National d’Île-de-France etc. Recent additions to her growing symphonic catalogue include Sails (2018) and Thérapía (2024).
In the operatic sphere, Christina has been developing the concept of the vocal drama, having composed Ma Mèr(e) Méditerranée (2019-20) a commission by La Monnaie, Brussels; and Un Silence Extraordinaire (2023) commissioned by the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.
Working with languages and on the refined connection between text and sound in chamber music too, Christina has produced “atmospheric, strangely fascinating” scores, including De l’Âme for a capella choir (2010-11) and thou Art with me for Solo violin (2020) which “embarks on a musical quest for a new perspective on religion and spirituality”, by employing the speaking and singing voice, and the body movement of the instrumentalist, as an integral part of this composition in “meditative, ethereal, tender tones”.
Often exploring fluctuation, frequency range, timbre and multi-layered flow, from a technical and a poetic point of view, much of Christina’s music is inspired by the sea. Such works include Aktaí, Olkàs, Aigaio In Memoriam Ilias Venezis and X-Île among others, reaching audiences in festivals such as the MITO Settembre, the Venice Biennale the ISCM World New Music Days. Besides, her output in chamber and ensemble music to this day, manifests the important role of extended techniques in her process of dealing with innovative or traditional formations, in collaborations with some of the most remarkable ensembles and musicians of our time (Het Collectief, Klangforum Wien, Ensemble Aleph, Zeitfluss, Elias String Quartet, DissonArt etc) in works such as En Root, Erot[onde]as and Messa Aktis, a work recently released on an album by the French Trio&Co.
Christina began her musical training as a pianist and flutist in Cyprus and started composing from a very young age. She then entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London to study composition with Julian Philips, and graduated with a BMus and an MMus. She also studied in France in various settings such as Centre Acanthes, IRCAM, CNSMD de Lyon, and in private lessons with Philippe Leroux. In 2011, she completed a PhD at the Royal Holloway University of London, now continuing her research independently. She also studied conducting (class of Alan Hazeldine, GSMD) and read Byzantine music. Christina is currently based in Cyprus where she maintains her composition studio , and from time to time in Paris, continuing to work internationally. Beyond her work as a composer, she is occasionally active as a freelance conductor and educator and guest artist. She was also a Composer-in-Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, the CAMAC and the Cité des Arts in Paris. www.athinodorou.com