Theodore Antoniou

Full biography Theodore Antoniou

Theodore Antoniou was a Greek composer and conductor who was born on May 10 , 1935 in Athens, Greece. He began his music education at the Athens Conservatory, where he studied music theory, piano, and violin. Later on, he travelled to the United States, where he earned his doctorate from Boston University.

As a composer, Antoniou wrote more than a hundred and fifty compositions , which include operas, choral music, orchestral music, chamber music, music for solo instruments, and works for film and theatre. Antoniou is known for his use of electronic music and his use of non-Western musical influences, such as Greek, Turkish, and Indian music. His compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world.

Aside from his work as a composer, Antoniou was also a conductor, and he led numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Athens State Orchestra, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. He was also a professor of music at Boston University, where he taught composition and electronic music.

Antoniou passed away on December 25, 2018, at the age of 83. Following his death, three volumes of new works titled "Lament for Theodore Antoniou" were released, consisting of 66 new pieces dedicated to his memory. Antoniou's contributions to the field of music have had a significant impact on contemporary music, particularly in Greece and the United States, and he is remembered as a pioneering figure who sought to push the boundaries of musical expression.