Panayiotis Kokoras (1974, Greece) studied composition with I. Ioannidi, K. Varotsi, A. Kergomard and classical guitar with E. Asimakopoulo in Athens, Greece. In 1999 he moved to England for postgraduate studies where he completed his MA and PhD in composition with T. Myatt at the University of York with funds from Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) and Aleksandra Trianti Music Scholarships (Friends of Music Society) among others. His works have been commissioned by institutes and festivals such as FROMM (Harvard University) IRCAM, MATA (Music At The Anthology), Spring Festival (The University of York), Gaudeamus (Netherlands), and regularly performed in international festivals and concert series throughout Europe, Asia and America. His compositions have received 31 distinctions and prizes in international competitions among others Bourges 2008 and 2004 – France, Gianni Bergamo 2007 – Switzerland, Pierre Schaeffer 2005 – Italy, Musica Viva 2005 and 2002 – Portugal, Look and Listen Prize 2004 – New York, Gaudeamus 2004 and 2003 – The Netherlands, Insulae Electronicae 2003 – Italy, Jurgenson Competition 2003 – Russia, Seoul International Competition 2003 – Korea, Takemitsu Composition Award 2002 – Japan, Noroit Prize 2002 – France, CIMESP 2002 – Brazil, Musica Nova 2001 – Check Republic, Métamorphoses 2000 – Belgium. Moreover, they have been selected by juries at more than 100 international call for scores opportunities and performed in over 70 cities around the world.

He is concerned to see how he, the listener, maps the acoustic signal into a structural representation on a psychoacoustic basis of the perception of music. His compositions include significant influences of the electroacoustic studio upon acoustic instrumental compositions and vice versa. Panayiotis Kokoras’ creative output consists of 34 works ranging from acoustic works to mixed media, improvisation and tape.

He is the founding member and Vice President of the Hellenic Electroacoustic Music Composers Association (HELMCA). He taught at the Technological and Educational Institute of Crete – Department of Music Technology and Acoustics. Since October 2005 he has been lecturing at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Department of Music Studies, Greece. His music is published in 23 CD compilations by by Spectrum Press, NOR, Miso Musica, SAN / CEC, Independent Opposition Records, ICMC2004 and distributed in limited editions by LOSS, Host Artists Group, Musica Nova, Computer Music Journal (MIT Press) and others. www.panayiotiskokoras.com

Apex (2007)
Apex for solo piano was completed by the summer of 2007. The work, with its lower register ostinato and its fast passages creates a dark sonic background that gradually develops in pitch, volume and dynamics leading through undulations to a flat and solid plain.

The total dynamics of the piano, as a holophonic texture forgoes the listener’s perception, in order to create a solid state, monolithic sonic object with internal functions.