Christina Vantzou
In co-production with the Athens Conservatoire

Curated by Stavros Gasparatos

COMMISSION

Christina Vantzou
The Reintegration of the Ear

With Oliver Coates, Irene Kurka, John Also Bennett

Christina Vantzou is a composer who explores concepts such as the expansion of time, atmosphere, and harmony through both electronic and acoustic instruments. In her latest work, she focuses on the shaping of ceremonial and affective spaces, where synthesizers, voice, and the language of ensembles mingle and form tendril-like sonic structures. The intimate practice of documenting her wanderings evokes the atmosphere of a travelogue-dream journal, while her minimalist arrangements and introspective compositions propose a subtle yet expressive sonic vocabulary. Her works are often defined by a meditative slowness, which invites contemplative listening. In her ensemble work, she delicately invokes the invisible, drawing audiences into profound depths with a light touch.

The Reintegration of the Ear is a suite of electronic and acoustic sound sources that coexist with natural environments, both terrestrial and subaquatic. Comprising hydrophone recordings from Sifnos, field recordings from Lesvos, ARP synthesizer tones, and mist-like orchestrals, the piece undulates and unfolds with an acute awareness of space.

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The Subset Festival, the multifaceted music platform launched in 2023, held by the Athens Epidaurus Festival in co-production with the Athens Conservatoire, returns refreshed but always with a focus on the dialogue between contemporary music and new media.

Named after a mathematical term (subset ⊆), Subset Festival weaves together diverse versions of contemporary musical creation, incorporating a wide variety of artistic trends. From June 4 to June 8, the Conservatoire venues will host musical ensembles and soloists, established and up-and-coming alike, both from Greece and around the world, visual and sound installations and performances, as well as open-call workshops.