Iossif Valette - Composer
Composer, pianist, music educator, and author, born in Piraeus. At the age of eight, he received an award in the children’s piano competition “O Philon.” He completed his conservatory studies in piano (Piano Diploma with First Prize) with Fifi Matou at the Piraeus Conservatory, and later attended the Summer Academy in London focusing on the Alexander Technique with Royal Academy professor Lois Phillips. In 1991, he studied piano with the Bulgarian pianist Philippina Philippova in Thessaloniki and Sofia, and in the same year performed as a soloist with the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki.
He studied theory with distinguished teachers such as Konstantinos Kydoniatis, Andreas Karbone, and Alkis Baltas. He studied composition with the eminent composer Theodoros Antoniou, Professor at Boston University, and received his Diploma in Composition in 2000. He graduated from the Department of Music Studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and subsequently completed a PhD in Composition. In 2006, he actively participated in the Darmstadt Summer Academy, where he attended courses by Georges Aperghis, Helmut Lachenmann, Beat Furrer, Mark André, and Toshio Hosokawa.
His works have been performed in Boston, Luxembourg, Brussels, Darmstadt, and Graz, as well as on the Third Programme of Hellenic Radio, at the Hellenic Music Festivals, the Athens and Nafplion Festivals, and by ERT (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation).
He has received commissions from the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron – 2006), the Greek National Opera (2012), and numerous festivals. He was awarded First Prize in the composition competitions “G.A. Papaioannou” (2005), “Synthermia” (2007), and “Pais Opera” (2007) and the Thessaloniki Opera competition, and was distinguished in the international competitions “ALEA III” (2003) and the “Queen Elisabeth” Competition of Belgium (2008).
His works have been performed by the Athens State Orchestra, the ERT National Symphony Orchestra, Alea III, the Athens Municipality Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Soloists, and the ensembles: Hellenic Contemporary Music Ensemble, dissonArt, Melos Brass, L’Anima String Quartet, Wind Instruments of the Athens State Orchestra, the “Aeolos” Quintet, and Tangarto. His works were presented at the Rome Biennale ’99 as Greece’s official participation in the International Festival of Young Creators.
Among his most significant works are two piano concertos, the pianistic opera Contra - Pedal, three operas, choral works, chamber and mixed media compositions, song cycles, the Dante oratorio Anima Eterna, as well as the pedagogical work Thirteen Lilliputies for young pianists.
He is a member of the Greek Composers’ Union. His works and theoretical writings are published by Panas Music, and his recordings have been released by Irida Classical and Subways Music. He has also participated in a collective release by Phasma Music with his solo flute work Lament for Theodore, dedicated to Theodoros Antoniou. He has taught music theory at the Department of Music Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as in music schools and conservatories. He serves as a scientific associate of the Institute of Educational Policy, contributing to the curriculum for music schools.
Since January 2026, the composer has been represented worldwide by the company MUSICENTRY.
OPERA / ORATORIO / MUSIC THEATRE
LXIr (2006) – Commission
Chamber music theatre based on an idea by Pothitos Baikas, for Bar, Sop, one actress and chamber orchestra. 33΄ - 1st performance Athens OMMC 6.05.2006
EGO (2009) / FREUD FOR HER (2011) (award-winning)
One-act opera based on a text by Alice Gerstenberg, for Sop, Mezzo, 2 actors/lyric singers, mixed choir and large orchestra. 50΄ - 1st performance 21.06.2012 Olympia Theatre, GNO
ANIMA AETERNA / (2021)
Oratorio based on Dante’s Divine Comedy for soprano, tenor, narrator, mixed choir & orchestra. 45΄ - 1st performance Fanari Castle 5.08.2021 (Efthymiadis). Commission International Festival of Karditsa / Ministry of Culture: All of Greece One Culture 2021.
PANDORA (2022) 50΄
Modular chamber opera for 4 Sop-1 Mez.- 1 dancer - Perc.-Vc.-pno/org. & electronics
CHILDREN’S OPERA / FAIRY TALE / CHILDREN’S WORKS
THE ANGEL WHO REMAINED ON EARTH (2002) 10΄
fairy-tale drama for narrator and electronic music to a text by G. Sourelis. 10΄ - 1st performance 16.12.2002 Melina cinema, Ilion
A FLOWER FOR PEACE (2003)
Musical fairy tale for children’s choir and rhythm section to a text by A. Laari. 20΄- 1st performance 14.04.2003 Melina cinema, Ilion
WHO PEED IN THE MISSISSIPPI (2007-8) (award-winning)
One-act opera for children based on the fairy tale by Eugenios Trivizas, for Tenor, Mezzo, Baritone, children’s choir and chamber orchestra. 30΄- 1st performance Opera of Thessaloniki 19.05.2008 Noesis (Orpheus Solists-Gourzis)
THE MAGIC VIOLIN (2011) (commission of the 2nd GNO Student Festival)
Chamber opera for 3 voices, violin and lute to a text by Raphael Ketsetsidis. 25΄ - 1st performance 30.03.2011 Olympia Theatre
KOKKI’S RECITAL (2013-16)
Opera for children to a text by Jan Brzechwa / libretto Elena Kyritsi, for Tenor, Mezzo, hip-hop singer, children’s choir and small orchestra
CHOIR WORKS
THE DEATH OF THE POET (1996 / rev.2011)
poetry by Kostas Karyotakis (S.S.A-pno or SATB-pno) 5΄
AYIA NAPA (2000)
poetry by George Seferis - SATB a capella. 6΄- 1st performance 30.06.2000 Central Conservatory (Emmeleia)
A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS (2008)
poetry by Kaiti Chioteli – SATB a capella 2΄30΄΄
ODE TO SANTORINI: You emerged from the bowels of thunder’ (2011)
from the “Ode to Santorini” by Odysseas Elytis - S.S.A-pno (SSA a capella). 5΄ - (edition Panas Music)
A LITTLE STAR (2017, rev.2020)
Christmas three-voice canon a capella (church instrument ad lib.). 3΄30΄΄ - 1st performance 20.12.2025 Ilion Music School (Loukaki)
O LIGHT from the oratorio ANIMA AETERNA (2021)
based on Dante’s Divine Comedy, SATB (accompaniment of orchestra or piano). 2΄30΄ - 1st performance Fanari Castle 5.08.2021 (Efthymiadis)
ORCHESTRA
TRIUMPHAL SUITE (1999) for orchestra
12΄ - 1st performance 5/2/2014 Kalouta Cultural Venue, Athens Municipality Symphony Orchestra (Tselikas)
INTERMEZZO (2011) from the opera EGO
for large orchestra - 11΄
MEDITERRANEAN SUITE (2017/rev.2022)
for large orchestra - 12΄
DIVERTIMENTO (2022)
for string orchestra – 12΄
CONCERTOS
EPIGRAMS (1999, rev.2004) 13΄
for guitar and string orchestra (first version: Afl.-Cl.-Gtr.-Perc.-Mand.-Hp)
PIANO CONCERTO NO.1 ‘CONSERVATIVO’ (ACADEMIC) (1999-2001)
for piano and orchestra. 25΄ - 1st performance Thessaloniki 28-5-2016 (2 pianos/ Sidiropoulou – Valette)
DOUBLE CONCERTO (2004, rev. 2009) 20΄
for clarinet, percussion and string orchestra
PIANO CONCERTO NO.2 (2005-06, rev.2015)
for piano and orchestra. 23 min - 1st performance Athens State Orchestra 15.01.2016 - OMMC (Gouvelis - Ertüngealp)
ORPHEUS’ DANCE (2016)
for cello & orchestra. 11΄ - 1st performance ERT Symphony Orchestra 8.06.2017 (Kolovou – Giannelou)
WORKS FOR VOICE & ORCHESTRA or ENSEMBLE
MUSES’ SACRED GIFT (2003) (award-winning)
Based on the ancient text of Hesiod’s Theogony, for soprano & chamber orchestra. 14΄- 1st performance Boston 27.09.2003 Tsai Performance Center. ALEA III International Competition (Antoniou)
ANTE DIEM (2003)
Requiem, based on the Latin text by Thomas von Celano, for Mezzo.-Vln.-Vc.-Pno. 15΄ - 1st performance Athens 15.10.2003, Philippos Nakas Hall in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian Association of Composers (Kathariou-Tsani-Theos-Stylianou)
LAMENT OF THE DANAIDS (2005)
Based on Aeschylus’ Suppliants, for voice and piano. 16΄ - 1st performance Athens 30.3.2005, Philippos Nakas Hall (Milolidaki - Valette)
RUMEURS ET VISIONS (2005) (Commission Melos Brass)
Based on the text by Arthur Rimbaud, Les Illuminations, for Sop & brass quintet. 9΄ - 1st performance Athens 15.04.2007 Anglican Church (Milolidaki)
MYCENAE (1999/ rev.2009)
to poetry by G. Seferis - for Baritone, instrumental ensemble and video projection. 12΄ - 1st performance 6.11.2009 OMMC D. Mitropoulos Hall (Apostolou-Antoniou HSSO)
DESIRES OF EGO (2015)
for soprano and piano, based on the opera Ego. 16΄ - 1st performance 15.03.2015, Beton7 (Milolidaki - Valette)
SONGS
WRITINGS (1999) (award-winning) (CD: Writings – Subways Music)
Cycle of 10 songs to poetry by Elena Kyritsi, for soprano and chamber orchestra – transcription for voice and piano. 30΄ - 1st performance Rome - Biennale 1999 / Matatoio (Milolidaki). (Edition Panas Music)
LE SOUVENIR DE VOUS ME TUE (2001)
to a text from a medieval song by an anonymous troubadour for 2 sopranos & harpsichord. 3΄30΄΄ - 1st performance Athens 24.09.2001 Zografou Theatre
SEA SONGS (2011-2014)
to poetry by Cavafy, Lorca, Eliot, Neruda, Elytis. 12΄ - 1st performance 1.06.2023 Municipal Gallery of Piraeus (Voudouri)
SONGS FOR BLACK WIDOW (2024)
for Sop.-Perc.-Vc.-Pno (part of the opera PANDORA). 10΄ - 1st performance 28.08.2025 Koroni Festival (Voudouri)
CHAMBER MUSIC
SONATINA (1997, rev.2006)
for violin and piano. 13΄ - 1st performance Zakynthos 2002, Museum
STRING QUARTET NO.1 (1996)
10΄ - Athens 30.05.2016 Anglican Church of Saint Paul (L’ Anima String Quartet)
VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY HATZIDAKIS (1997)
for solo flute or flute & continuo. 12΄ - 1st performance 14/5/2015 Parnassos Hall
ALKYONES (1998)
woodwind quintet, 14΄- 1st performance Athens 1998, Philippos Nakas Hall
BLUES FANFARE (1998 / rev.2015)
Brass quintet (2Tpt.-Hn.-Tbn.-Tuba) 6΄
3 SKETCHES (1999, rev.2004)
for saxophone quintet (first version alto sax. and piano). 10΄- 1st performance Athens 2000, for sax. qrt., Hellenic-American Union 2004 (Kerkezos)
INDIGO (2000)
Quintet for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano. 10΄- 1st performance Athens OMMC 11.11.2000 D. Mitropoulos Hall (Antoniou HSSO)
ECHOES (2002, rev.2006) (award-winning)
piano trio for Vln.-Vc.-Pno (transcription for Ob.-Cl.-Pno). 9΄- 1st performance 2006, 3rd Panhellenic Chamber Music Festival, Anthousa EXPO
MINIATURES (2004) (award-winning)
for Afl / C flute & Pno (1st prize G.A. Papaioannou Composition Competition). 10΄- 1st performance Athens 12.10.2005 Goethe Institut (Glinka-Stylianou)
E-NINGMA (2006) (award-winning)
woodwind quintet. 10΄- 1st performance Athens 27.12.2008 Panhellenic Chamber Music Festival (ASO Winds)
ETUDE POUR SIX (STUDY FOR SIX) (2006-7) (award-winning)
for Fl.-Cl.-Perc.-Vn.-Vc.-Pno (1st prize - “Synthermia” Composition Competition). 12΄- 1st performance 29.04.2007 ‘Synthermia’ Festival Therma, Thessaloniki (Logiadis)
STRING QUARTET NO.2 (IDEA 4 A QUARTET) (2007 rev.2011)
string quartet 10΄
3 GREEK SOUVENIRS (2013)
for violin & piano. 7΄- 1st performance 18.11.2013 Goethe Institut (Papagiannakis-Matzouratou)
BAYADERA, TAKE YOUR PILLS (2022) (Commission Hellenic Composers’ Union)
3΄ - 1st performance 7.07.2022 – Athens Festival (Terzakis)
SOLO INSTRUMENTS
STUDIO PER IL CEMBALO (1992) for harpsichord
6 min - 1st performance Athenaeum Conservatory, 1995 Athens (Ntami)
DREAM for organ or piano (1997)
5΄- 1st performance 28.01.2012, Beton7 (Thomopoulos)
VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY HATZIDAKIS (1997)
for solo flute. 12΄ - 1st performance 14.05.2015 Parnassos Hall (Glinka)
LAMENT FOR THEODORE (2020) (CD: Phasma Music)
for flute – 3΄ (Glinka)
MIXED MEDIA / ELECTRONIC MUSIC
HOMO REUS (2006)
Electronic music - 1st performance Darmstadt International Summer University 2006
LILITH (2017)
Monodrama for Sop.-Perc.-Vc.-Org. and electronics (part of the opera PANDORA) 15΄
WORKS FOR PIANO
IDEES (1993) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical)
3 études for piano. 8΄ - 1st performance of no.1, 13.11.2004 Conservatory of Classical & Contemporary Music (Valette). 1st performance of nos.2-3, 28-1-2012, Beton7 (Stylianou)
SCHERZO (1998) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical) (Philippos Nakas Editions)
for 2 pianos (transcription for 4 hands). 8΄- 1st performance 28-1-2012, Beton7
FUGUE ON A THEME BY CHOPIN (1994) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical)
for piano / transcription for string quartet. 4΄- 1st performance 2/5/2012 Amphitheatre of Ilion Music School
VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY DRAGATAKIS (2000) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical)
10΄– 1st performance Central Conservatory, 26.06.2000, Athens (Valette). (Panas Music editions)
FIVE LITTLE PRELUDES (2011) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical)
7΄ - 1st performance 30.07.2011 Schengen Diekirch, Luxemburg (Mantzouratou). (Panas Music editions)
CANTILENA (2011) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical) (Philippos Nakas Editions)
8΄ - 1st performance 28.01.2012, Beton7 (Rammou)
NOCTURNE (2011) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical) (Philippos Nakas Editions)
5΄ - 1st performance 28.01.2012, Beton7 (Mallouchos)
PROVA FOR SIX (1997/ 2011) (Contra - pedal)
for piano (six pianists). 8΄ - 1st performance 28.01.2012, Beton7
MOMENTS (2012) (CD: Contra-Pedal – Irida Classical) (Philippos Nakas Editions)
8΄ - 1st performance 14.01.2023, CCCC (Mimidis)
THIRTEEN LILLIPUTIES (2022)
12΄ - 1st performance Lenio Liatsou NKUA (CD: Subways Music) (Panas Music editions)
NEPENTHES (2023) – Commission by the quartet ‘Antithesis’
for 2 pianos (4 pianists). 8 min
TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS & ENSEMBLE
MEDITERRANEAN SUITE (2017/2022)
Transcription for Oud and ensemble (Oud-Fl.-Cl.-Hn.-Perc.-Vln.-Vla.-Vc.-Cb). 14΄
CINEMA
THE RED THREAD (2004-05)
Original music for the short film by Margarita Miliori
WAXWORKS (2014)
Original music for the silent film by Paul Leni (1924)
50΄ - 1st performance July 2014, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation (Charalambidou)
5 May 2026 / “Journey with Contra - Pedal” Pianistic opera for six pianists directed by Manolis Seiragakis. Philippos Nakas Conservatory. Under the auspices of the Greek Composers’ Union.
27–30 March 2026 / “In the Composer’s Workshop” PIANORAMA – 1st Piano Festival of Music Schools in Heraklion, Crete
28 February 2026 / “‘Thirteen Lilliputies” Experiential creative writing workshop for piano with students of the Philippos Nakas Conservatory, Glyfada – Melissia branches
2026 New book edition / Iossif Valette, The History of Music (From the earliest civilizations to the present day) / Date to be announced
2026 New CD release / Iossif Valette: Sea Songs feat. Rea Voudouri (Subways Music) / Date to be announced
26 August 2025 / “The Black Widow Who Gazed at the Sea” Iossif Valette meets soprano Rea Voudouri in arias and song cycles of his, set to poetry by CAVAFY, LORCA, ELIOT, NERUDA, ELYTIS and KYRITSIS, as well as to comic texts by STAN LEE, JENNIFER FEI and TRACY LEE. The distinguished soprano is accompanied by the composer at the piano. In the role of the Black Widow, Phylia Kyriakidi dramatized improvisation. Acto ReÅL Group. Rea Voudouri | soprano. Phylia Kyriakidi | improvisation. Iossif Valette | piano / composition. Dramaturgy: Katerina Konstantinakou. International Koroni Festival
7 May 2025 / Premiere: Iossif Valette, Songs of the Sky. Angeliki Kathariou, mezzo-soprano. Dimitris Giakas, piano. Philippos Nakas Conservatory
© Copyright - Sophocles Sapounas / Subways Music
© Copyright - Sophocles Sapounas / Subways Music (191924305262) Release Date: 2017
© Copyright - IRIDA CLASSICAL Genre: Classic music - Release Date: 2013
Lament for Theodore Antoniou, Vol. 3 Iwona Glinka - July 23, 2021 - Phasma Music – Naxos
