Alexandros Markeas

Alexandros Markeas (Athens, 1965) studied Piano and Composition at the Greek National Conservatory. He continued his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied Composition under Guy Reibel, Michael Lévinas and Marc-André Dalbavie and took first prize in Counterpoint, Fugue and Composition while simultaneously specializing in improvisation.

He was selected for IRCAM's one-year cursus programme in composition and computer music and for the Composition master class at the Aix-en-Provence festival. His works have been performed over the last 20 years in France and further afield by various symphonic ensembles (Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, London Symphony Orchestra), contemporary music ensembles (Intercontemporain, Modern, Court-Circuit, Itinéraire, TM +, 2e2m), chamber groups (the Habanera, Arditti and Danel quartets) and vocal ensembles (Éléments, Musicatreize). He also composes educational works for children and amateur musicians.

In 1999, Alexandros Markeas was made a fellow of the Académie de France at the Villa Medicis in Rome. In 2001, he received SACEM's Hervé Dugardin Prize. In 2006, he won the Critics' Union Award. In 2009, SACEM awarded him their New Music Talent award for the chamber opera Outsider. He has been teaching Improvisation and Composition at the Paris Conservatoire since 2003.