I am composer, pianist and a novelist. My music marries the dynamic energy of contemporary classical and cinematic music with the meditative character of ambient music and traditional music from Greece and Japan. My latest work is significantly influenced by the practice of meditation and Zen philosophy. I compose for contemporary classical music but for multimedia music too [short films, animation films]. In February 2019, I was awarded the 3rd Prize and the Public's 1st Prize at the 7th Molinari String Quartet Composition Competition in Montreal, with my string quartet For Sun’s Light. A year prior, I won the 2nd Prize at the 4th Opus Dissonus International Composition Competition in Brazil for my piano solo On the Vision and The Riddle. I was also selected as one of the six laureates of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra’s prestigious New Sounds Week Call for Scores in 2022, for my orchestral piece A Mystic Journey. In 2021, I stood out as one of four composers chosen in the Open Call for Young Greek Composers – Israeli Chamber Project, for my work A Glimpse of Autumn, a composition based on haiku poems, a poignant reflection on nature’s fleeting beauty. Most recently, I was selected at the SEED 2024: Virtual Composition Academy to compose a piece for the traditional Japanese instrument sho, commissioned by the academy and sho performer Chatori Shimizu. Performances of my pieces include artists such as Molinari String Quartet, Ergon Ensemble, Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Israeli Chamber Ensemble, Erato Alakiozidou, Marilena Liakopoulou, Alexandra Papachristou, Chatori Shimizu, UofT Percussion Ensemble among others, and I have received commissions from Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Megaron Music Thessaloniki and Athens Concert Hall. I hold a Master’s in Composition from the University of Toronto, mentored by the composer Christos Hatzis. In September 2022, I started my Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Composition at the same institution, a path illuminated by a full-tuition scholarship. Prior to my studies in University of Toronto, I studied composition privately for seven years with composer Altin Volaj, and I also several music degrees from the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki: Degree in Counterpoint, Degree in Fugue and Diploma in Composition with music theorist and composer Costas Tsougras, and the Degree in Piano Performance with prof. Victoria Victoratou. I am currently a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto, where I assist in composition and orchestration, and a freelance composer, receiving commissions from institutions and privately.

MenelaosPeistikos

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I am composer, pianist and a novelist. My music marries the dynamic energy of contemporary classical and cinematic music with the meditative character of ambient music and traditional music from Greece and Japan. My latest work is significantly influenced by the practice of meditation and Zen philosophy. I compose for contemporary classical music but for multimedia music too [short films, animation films]. In February 2019, I was awarded the 3rd Prize and the Public's 1st Prize at the 7th Molinari String Quartet Composition Competition in Montreal, with my string quartet For Sun’s Light. A year prior, I won the 2nd Prize at the 4th Opus Dissonus International Composition Competition in Brazil for my piano solo On the Vision and The Riddle. I was also selected as one of the six laureates of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra’s prestigious New Sounds Week Call for Scores in 2022, for my orchestral piece A Mystic Journey. In 2021, I stood out as one of four composers chosen in the Open Call for Young Greek Composers – Israeli Chamber Project, for my work A Glimpse of Autumn, a composition based on haiku poems, a poignant reflection on nature’s fleeting beauty. Most recently, I was selected at the SEED 2024: Virtual Composition Academy to compose a piece for the traditional Japanese instrument sho, commissioned by the academy and sho performer Chatori Shimizu. Performances of my pieces include artists such as Molinari String Quartet, Ergon Ensemble, Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Israeli Chamber Ensemble, Erato Alakiozidou, Marilena Liakopoulou, Alexandra Papachristou, Chatori Shimizu, UofT Percussion Ensemble among others, and I have received commissions from Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Megaron Music Thessaloniki and Athens Concert Hall. I hold a Master’s in Composition from the University of Toronto, mentored by the composer Christos Hatzis. In September 2022, I started my Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Composition at the same institution, a path illuminated by a full-tuition scholarship. Prior to my studies in University of Toronto, I studied composition privately for seven years with composer Altin Volaj, and I also several music degrees from the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki: Degree in Counterpoint, Degree in Fugue and Diploma in Composition with music theorist and composer Costas Tsougras, and the Degree in Piano Performance with prof. Victoria Victoratou. I am currently a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto, where I assist in composition and orchestration, and a freelance composer, receiving commissions from institutions and privately.

Available to hire

I am composer, pianist and a novelist. My music marries the dynamic energy of contemporary classical and cinematic music with the meditative character of ambient music and traditional music from Greece and Japan. My latest work is significantly influenced by the practice of meditation and Zen philosophy. I compose for contemporary classical music but for multimedia music too [short films, animation films].

In February 2019, I was awarded the 3rd Prize and the Public’s 1st Prize at the 7th Molinari String Quartet Composition Competition in Montreal, with my string quartet For Sun’s Light. A year prior, I won the 2nd Prize at the 4th Opus Dissonus International Composition Competition in Brazil for my piano solo On the Vision and The Riddle.

I was also selected as one of the six laureates of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra’s prestigious New Sounds Week Call for Scores in 2022, for my orchestral piece A Mystic Journey. In 2021, I stood out as one of four composers chosen in the Open Call for Young Greek Composers – Israeli Chamber Project, for my work A Glimpse of Autumn, a composition based on haiku poems, a poignant reflection on nature’s fleeting beauty. Most recently, I was selected at the SEED 2024: Virtual Composition Academy to compose a piece for the traditional Japanese instrument sho, commissioned by the academy and sho performer Chatori Shimizu. Performances of my pieces include artists such as Molinari String Quartet, Ergon Ensemble, Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Israeli Chamber Ensemble, Erato Alakiozidou, Marilena Liakopoulou, Alexandra Papachristou, Chatori Shimizu, UofT Percussion Ensemble among others, and I have received commissions from Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Megaron Music Thessaloniki and Athens Concert Hall.

I hold a Master’s in Composition from the University of Toronto, mentored by the composer Christos Hatzis. In September 2022, I started my Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Composition at the same institution, a path illuminated by a full-tuition scholarship. Prior to my studies in University of Toronto, I studied composition privately for seven years with composer Altin Volaj, and I also several music degrees from the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki: Degree in Counterpoint, Degree in Fugue and Diploma in Composition with music theorist and composer Costas Tsougras, and the Degree in Piano Performance with prof. Victoria Victoratou. I am currently a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto, where I assist in composition and orchestration, and a freelance composer, receiving commissions from institutions and privately.

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Language

English
Fluent
Greek, Modern
Fluent

Work Experience

Teaching Asisstant - Composition Teacher at University of Toronto
September 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026
Assistant at Larysa Kuzmenko’s Introduction to Composition course for undergraduate students at the UofT Assisting in organization, grading assignments and lecturing about composition.
Teaching Assistant - Orchestration Teacher at University of Toronto
September 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026
Assistant at Larysa Kuzmenko’s Orchestration course for undergraduate students at the University of Toronto Assisting in organization, grading assignments and lecturing about orchestration.

Education

Master's of Music Performance: Composition at University of Toronto
September 1, 2020 - June 1, 2022
DMA in Composition at University of Toronto
September 1, 2022 - September 1, 2026
Music Theory: Degree in Fugue at State Conservatory of Thessaloniki
October 1, 2017 - June 10, 2019
Music Theory: Degree in Counterpoint at State Conservatory of Thessaloniki
October 1, 2015 - June 1, 2017
Degree in Piano Performance at State Conservatory of Thessaloniki
October 1, 2015 - January 21, 2019
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication Media at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
October 1, 2013 - November 22, 2019

Qualifications

3rd Prize and 1st Prize of Public at the “7th Molinari String Quartet World Composition Competition”
May 18, 2018 - February 1, 2019
3rd Prize and 1st Prize of Public for the string quartet composition “For Sun’s Light”, premiered at Conservatory of Montreal, Canada, by Molinari String Quartet.
2nd Prize at the “4th Opus Dissonus Composition Competition for solo piano”
December 1, 2018 - December 1, 2018
2ND Prize for the solo piano composition “On the Vision and the Riddle”, premiered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, by pianist Artur Cimirro.
Open Call for Composers 2021 – Israeli Chamber Project
April 20, 2021 - April 20, 2021
One of the four winners at the panhellenic Open Call for Composers 2021 organized by Israeli Cultural Foundation (supported by Stavros Niarchos Foundation) along with Hellenic Composers Association and Israeli Chamber Project. Premiere of “A glimpse of Autumn” for chamber ensemble.
Young Composers Composition Lab – Classical Kemenche in the 21st century – Megaron Music Athens
March 9, 2022 - March 9, 2022
Premiere of “Echoes of Nostalgia”, for classical kemenche and Ergon ensemble Classical Kemenche: Sokratis Sinopoulos, Conductor: Iakovos Konitopoulos
Call for Scores – Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra
May 13, 2022 - May 13, 2022
One of the six composers selected for the panhellenic Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra “New Sounds Week” Call for Scores. Premiere of orchestral composition “A Mystic Journey”.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment
    uniE608 Contemplation [Film by Megane Vermette, Music by Menelaos Peistikos]
    Directed and edited: Elizabeth M. Angulo Written and co-directed: Megane Vermette Music: Menelaos Peistikos, soundtrack "The Valse of Contemplation" for solo piano Starring Megane Vermette and Anna Scheidler 1st Assistant Director: Noura Shammas Director of Photography: Juan Ignacio Checa Diaz Second Camera Operator: Samantha Montes Sound: Anna Scheidler Choreographer: Elizabeth M. Angulo Art by: August Clot
    uniE608 Echo Lontano - Music for the Museum
    "Echo Lontano" is a solo piano piece written in spring 2020. It is commissioned by Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and MOMus (Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki). The piece is composed for the purpose of framing a modern exhibition at the MOMus which illustrates fine art in the style of comics from several contemporary greek sketch artists. These sketches depict specific events of manifestation of racism and violence against social minorities and protesters in Greece caused by the neo-nazi political party "Golden Dawn" and attempt to decry and critisize these actions and fight neo-nazism, nationalism and racism in Greece. The motive of the exhibition is "Put an X in Golden Dawn". "Echo Lontano" is was premiered and videotaped inside this exhibition. In my opinion, the combination of Art and violence in the museum hall consist of a double paradox. First, there is an internal contrast in the sketches; on the one hand, they are esthetically pleasing while on the other hand, they depict violence, neo-nazism and racism which is something abhorrent and censurable. Secondly, the hall of the museum is white and minimal and has a peaceful atmosphere, totally in contrast with the sketches on its walls. I perceive this exhibition as an attempt to confront violence with peace and the power of Art. My aim was to reprove violence by bringing its opposite; peace and its beauty. However, when I watched closely at these sketches, I thought of the impact that the violent assaults of "Golden Dawn" members have on the mental state of the victims and I concluded that violence is something that is difficult to be easily forgotten. Beyond its stigmas on their physical health, its effects are still present on the psychological health of the victims. Violence does not outweigh peace in "Echo Lontano". There are only small fragments of it, dissonant and mechanical in their presence. Hope and peace are the cure which tries to extinguish violence making it look only like a distant echo.
    paper Menelaos Peistikos - Tango Nostalgico for solo piano

    Menelaos Peistikos performs his composition “Tango Nostalgico” (2014) for solo piano.

    Shot and edited by Yeoryia Edirneli

    Recorded at Cue Production Studios by Yannis Mavridis, Thessaloniki, June 2024

    paper CHIAROSCURO (music by Menelaos Peistikos)

    CHIAROSCURO
    « Man is the only creature who refuses to be what she is. »

    Directed by Alayna Simonds
    Composition by Menelaos Peistikos [“Deserts” for solo cello, performed by Efstratia Chaloulakou]
    Cinematography by Liz M. Angulo
    Written by Martina Rossi, Mégane Vermette & Alayna Simonds
    Edited by Mégane Vermette & Alayna Simonds
    Color corrected by Alayna Simonds & Mégane Vermette
    Sound by Ginevra Pasi & Samantha Montes

    paper Contemplation [film by Megane Vermette, music by Menelaos Peistikos]

    Directed and edited: Elizabeth M. Angulo
    Written and co-directed: Megane Vermette
    Music: Menelaos Peistikos, soundtrack “The Valse of Contemplation” for solo piano
    Starring Megane Vermette and Anna Scheidler
    1st Assistant Director: Noura Shammas
    Director of Photography: Juan Ignacio Checa Diaz
    Second Camera Operator: Samantha Montes
    Sound: Anna Scheidler
    Choreographer: Elizabeth M. Angulo
    Art by: August Clot

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