Talk presents Iannis Xenakis’ lesser-known chamber works

Within the framework of the 13th International Pharos Contemporary Music Festival in Nicosia between October 5 and 14, arrives a talk on the Greek-French composer Iannis Xenakis. On October 9 at The Shoe Factory, Sharon Kanach will present a fascinating discussion in English about eight of Xenakis’ lesser-known chamber works, which will be performed by the Ergon Ensemble on October 12, in a concert dedicated to the composer’s centenary.

American musician Kanach is famous for her connection to one of the most celebrated composers and influential thinkers of the 20th century – Iannis Xenakis. She was his closest collaborator in many of his writings, and after his death, she has been the editor of the Xenakis Series in Pendragon Press and is the founder of the Xenakis Project of the Americas, and is currently the co-president of the Centre Iannis Xenakis at the Université de Rouen Normandie.

In Kanach’s words: “Even though Iannis Xenakis is perhaps best known for his massive orchestral works, his multimedia Polytopes or even his revolutionary electroacoustic works, nearly every performing musician encounters, sooner or later, his solo or small chamber works, either while studying or in concert. The concert of the Ergon Ensemble celebrating Xenakis’ centenary, which will be presented on October 12 at The Shoe Factory, will feature eight such works, some of which are rarely heard, spanning the composer’s entire career, from 1951 to 1996. Like a mosaic, we will discuss each of the featured works as parts of a puzzle to draw a unique overview of the musical giant Iannis Xenakis.”

Iannis Xenakis’ Lesser-known Chamber Works

Lecture by Sharon Kanach. Within the frame of the 13th International Pharos Contemporary Music Festival. October 12. The Shoe Factory, Nicosia. 7pm. Free. In English