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Nestor Taylor - Composer
Nestor Taylor (b.1963) was born to a prominent Greek family, in Melbourne, Australia.
He studied piano, harmony and counterpoint at the Athens Conservatory with George Diamantis and distinguished composer, Menelaos Pallantios. He continued his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Graham Elliot (fugue), Peter Hope (orchestration), and Francis Shaw (composition), where he was awarded the following diplomas: LGSM in Composition, LGSM in Choral Composition & Orchestration as well as Postgraduate Diploma in Composition. He completed his M.Mus and M.Phil degrees in Composition at Royal Holloway under the supervision of John Woolridge and Peter Wiegold. He also holds an ALCM in Conducting from London College. In 2005, Taylor was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, which enabled him to carry out research as a composer at Yale University.
Taylor has held the posts of lecturer in Harmony and Composition in the Department of Music Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, lecturer of Music History at the State School of Dance & the Greek National Opera Ballet School; and Artistic Director at the Central Conservatory of Music in Athens and the Municipal Conservatory in Filothei-Psychiko.
He has also served as Head of International Relations, Casting Director and Artistic Advisor to the Director at the Greek National Opera between 2009 and 2016, whereas nowadays he pursues a professional career as a freelance composer.
Taylor’s music has been extensively performed throughout Greece: Megaron Concert Halls in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greek National Opera, etc., and abroad: Purcell Room and Conway Hall in London, Kioi Hall in Tokyo, the Great Philharmonic Hall in Odessa, Lübeck Opera, Erfurt Theater, etc.
He has collaborated with the State Orchestras of Athens and Thessaloniki, the Orchestra of Colors, the Camerata Οrchestra of Friends of Music, the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra, Erfurt Philharmonic, Odessa Philharmonic, NHKSO, Nuova Orchestra Ferruccio Busoni, Tokyo Ensemble, Composers Ensemble, Chicago a Capella and the Lindsay Quartet, among others.
As a conductor of his own works, he has appeared with the Greek National Radio Orchestra and the orchestra and chorus of the Greek National Opera.
Taylor’s concert music includes two piano concertos: “Concerto Romantico” and “Jigsaw”, music for large and medium-sized orchestras: “Pandemonium”, “Vocalise”,” The Path of the Archangel”, chamber & choral music: “On a Ray of Winter Sun”,“Lux Aeterna” (Sopr – P.no – Str. Quartet/or string orchestra), Children’s Garden (SATB chorus) several song cycles, and music for solo piano (Huis-Clos, Tenebrae, Softly Awakes my Heart,) and harp duo (Little Prayer), recorded for Puzzle-Musik and Donemus Records.
Οne of his most recent creations, is the opera-oratorio “Eleni” (2019, libretto by Fergus Currie, based on the best-seller of Νicholas Gage), which received it’s world-premiere at the Erfurt Opera in December 2022.
Nestor Taylor's works are published worldwide by the Dutch Publishing House Donemus, and E. C. Schirmer in the Unites States.
Since 2019 the composer is represented by MUSICENTRY and promoted by Classicalia (Germany-Austria), PBMusic (Italy) and Luca Di Bernardo managament (wordwide).
SOLO INSTRUMENTS
Chromata, 3 tableux vivants (pf), Athens 1989/1992.
Softly Awakes my Heart, (pf), Athens, 2006
Seadream, (hp), Athens 1999, rev. 2018
Ηuis – Clos, (pf), 9 monogpraphs for piano, Athens, 2007-2017
Tenebrae, (pf), 3 preludes, Athens, 2021
Scarlet Letters, (pf), four-hands or two pianos, Athens 2021
Réflexions du rêve, (pf), Concert Étude, Athens 2021
Poison – Flower, (cello), Athens 2021
A minute’s silence, (pf), Athens 2022
CHAMBER MUSIC
Movements in the Dark, (str. qt.), London, 1994
Kommos, (2 pf - vn. - perc.), London, 1995
On a Ray of Winter Sun (sop - 2 fl. - 2 cl, str. qt - p.no), on texts by G. Seferis, London 1996*
Voyage with Hesperus (pf – vib - cl: Bb/ Bb bass/sop Eb] - db), London, 1997
Little Prayer, (fl – hp), Αthens, 2008
I Love the Lord, (vn – vc –pf), Αθήνα, 2022
Reaching Out, (vn - pf), Αθήνα, 2023
Νight Echoes, (cl. - pf), Αθήνα, 2023
Chaconne Triste, (vn - pf), Αθήνα, 2023
SONGS & CHORAL MUSIC
The Butterfly's Evil Spell, 5 lyrical songs (sop – fl – vla - pf), texts by F. G. Lorca. London 1998/rev. Athens 2004
Νekyia, (mez- pf), texts by G. Seferis, Athens, 1999
Plays of the Sea and the Sky (sop – pf), on texts by G. Ritsos, Athens, 1999
Night of Darkness and Azure, (sop - pf – str), Athens, 2002
...Αnd then it is Dusk, (mez - chamber ensemble) on texts by Sappho, Alcaeus and Meleagrus assembled by the composer, Athens 2000
Α Song, (sop – vn – (sant) - pf), text by Od. Elytis, Athens, 2001
So fades a summer cloud away, (mez - cello octet – SATB - org), texts by Emily Dickinson, 2001
Olvia Donna, (sop – str), text by Od. Elytis, Athens, 2003
Annabel Lee, (sop - harp), text by Edgar Alan Poe, Athens, 2003
Lux Αeterna, (mez – str. qt. – pf), Αthens, 2007
2 William Blake Songs, (SATB a cappella), 2005
Dedication, (SSA a cappella), text by R. Kipling, Αthens, 2008
Like music at night... (SATB a cappella), text by K. P. Cavafy, Athens, 2001
Christmas Tree (SATB chorus – p.no – perc.), poetry by Haris Sakkelariou, Athens 2021)
Children’s Garden: 3 pieces for mixed chorus (SATB a cappella - piano accompaniment for 2nd piece only), verses by R. L. Stevenson, Athens 2021
ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
Introduction and Valse, (orch), Athens, 1993
Fantasia on a theme by H. Purcell, (orch), London, 1996
The Path of the Archangel, (str), London, 1996
Musica Ricercata, (br), Αthens, 2001
Concerto Romantico, (pf - sop - orch), Athens, 2004
Vocalise, (sop – hp – orch), Αthens, 2005-06
Jigsaw, Concertino (pf - orch), Αthens, 2008 (revised edition 2023).
Pandemonium (symphonic fantasy for large orchestra), Athens 2019
THEATER - ORATORIO - OPERA
Don’t Look Now (narrator - pf - electronics), texts Daphne du Maurier, Athens, 2009
ELENI - A Lyric drama in Two Acts Opera (soloists - SATB - children choir & orch), Athens 2019
Saint Filothei the Athenian: Symphonic Cantata for soprano, narrator, orthodox chant, double chorus (SATB/TB) and orchestra. Athens, 2022
ARRANGEMENTS – TRANSCRIPTIONS
RELIGIOUS:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Ο Esperinos tis Agapis, three hymns of J.S. Bach, in Greek performance by the composer. Accompanied by musicological study on the chorale, Athens, 2018/2021.
Johannes Brahms : Wiegenlied - Cradle song (οp. 49, no. 4), [2006], 1121-2000- hp – cel - sop - SATB (optional)- str. (6-5-4-3-1).
Cesar Franck : Panis Angelicus (2020), Messe a 3 voix Op.12, Nr.5, transcribed for piano, clarinet, cello and 2 voice parts.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS:
French traditional song: Νοël Nouvelet (2005/2009), 1222-2000 - 2 perc.- hp – SATB - str.
James Lord Pierpont: Jingle Bells (2005), 2222-2100 -2 perc. + timp.- hp - SATB- str.
Mykola Leontovych: Carol of the Bells (2005), 2222-2100 – 1 perc. + timp.- hp – SATB - str.
Lowell Mason: Joy to the World (2005/2009), 0202-2100 – 1 perc. + timp-hp - SATB - str.
English traditional song: Coventry Carol (2005/2009), 0202-2100 – hp – SATB – str.
Simeone/Davis/Onorati: The Little drummer Boy (2005), 2222-2100 – hp – SATB – str.
Franz X. Gruber: Silent Night (2005), 2020-0000 – hp –SATB – str.
Greek traditional song: Carol of Propontis - Kalanta Propontidas (2005), 2222-2000 - 2 perc. + timp – hp – SATB – str.
Greek traditional song: Snow in the mountains - Chionia sto Kabanario (2005), 2112-2100 - 2 perc. – hp - SATB - str.
OTHER:
Erik Satie: En Plus from 3 Mouvements en forme de poire (2006), 1111-2000 - cel - piatti – hp – str.
Mikis Theodorakis: Beautiful city - Omorfi Poli (2004), 0000-0000 - 1 perc. - hp – str - ten.
Manos Hadjidakis: Crimson moon - To feggari einai kokkino (2006), 2121-2100 - perc. – pno – hp –str.
Μanos Hadjidakis : Yannis the murderer - O Giannis o fonias (2006), 2121-2100 – pno – mand – hp – high voice – str.
Μanos Hadjidakis: Pornography (2006), 2121-2100 - 1 perc. (trgl - piatti) - timp. (optional) – pn – mand – hp – sop – str.
Μanos Hadjidakis: Τhe Rose - To triantafyllo (2006), 2121-2100 - 2 perc. (claves - gl.) – timp. -pno - mand - hp - high voice - str.
Μanos Hadjidakis: Somewhere my love exists - Kapou yparchei i agapi mou (2006), 2121-2100- 1 perc. – pno – mand – hp - high voice – str.
Μanos Hadjidakis: 15 Vespers (2018), (2 Guitars, Harp, P.no-D. Bass) music revisal – three of them registered (Nychterinos Peripatos, Τo Party, Ferte mou ena mantolino) in score. Commissioned by Greek National Opera, 2018.
Μanos Hadjidakis: Τhe accused serpent (work 6), Ballet suite for 2 pianos, music revisal –transcription. Commissioned by the Greek National Opera, 2017.
Μanos Hadjidakis: Five improvisations for piano (unpublished work), music renaissance - processing. Commissioned by the Greek National Opera, 2017.
Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, Duetto Il pallor funesto orrendo [No.6], orchestral adaptation for smaller ensemble (2 cr. - 2 tpt. - 2 tbn - tuba). Commissioned by the Greek National Opera, 2017.
Giuseppe Verdi: Macbeth - Scena e Marcia [5], orchestration adaptation for smaller ensemble (2 cr. – 2 tpt. - 2 tbn. - tuba). Commissioned by the Greek National Opera, 2017.
Astor Piazolla: Oblivion 2122-2100 - 1 perc. - hp – vn solo - str. (2008)
DISCOGRAPHY
- Concerto Romantico (live recording), Lito Thomou –pno, Odessa Philharmonic conducted by Hobart Earl, Single - Donemus Records 2022
- Lux Aeterna, Mina Polychronou – sopr., Christos Papageorgiou – pno, Tetraktys Quartet, Single - Donemus Records 2022
- Ι Love the Lord, Trio Balticum, Single - Donemus Records 2022
- Vocalise (live recording), Mina Polychronou –sopr., Odessa Philharmonic conducted by Hobart Earl, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- Softly Awakes my Heart, Lito Thomou – pno, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- The Path of the Archangel, Elegy for strings (live recording), Nicholas Ward –Vn. solo, The Phorminx Ensemble conducted by Peter Weigold, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- Huis – Clos, 9 Monographs for piano, Alexandra Papastefanou – pno, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- Poison-Flower, for Cello solo, Cristina Basili – cello, Single - Donemus Records 2021
- Tenebrae, for solo piano, Theodore Tzovanakis – pno, Single - Donemus Records 2021
2/7/2019
''Lux Aeterna'' by Nestor Taylor, at Vouleftiko, 28th Nafplion Festival, a concert tribute to Greek Canadian composers.
Mina Polychronou: soprano, Theodore Tzovanakis: piano and the L' Anima string quartet, led by Stella Tsani.
World premiere on 2-3/7/2022
"Pandemonium" Symphonic Fantasy for large orchestra.
Erfurt Theater in Germany. The Erfurt Philharmonic conducted by Myron Michaildis.
25/10/2022
"Huis-Clos", 9 monographs for piano, performed by Karolos Zouganelis, under the auspices of the Piano Festival of the GNO Alternative Stage, in the historic hall of the Parnassos Literary Society.
World premiere 3/12/2022
"Eleni", 2-act opera Erfurt Theater in Germany
Libretto: Fergus Currie
Staging: Guy Montavon
Sets & Costumes: Εric Chevalier
Jessica Rose Cambio: ELENI
Brett Sprague: NICHOLAS
Candela Gotelli: KANDA
Sólyom-Nagy Máté: REBEL LEADER
Valeria Mudra: MILIA
Siyabulela Sikhokele Ntlale: SOLDIER
Elsa Langer - Inke Albus: NICHOLAS THE BOY
Astrid Thelemann: NAKOVA
Tristan Blanchet: LUKAS ZIARAS
ERFURT PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Myron Michailidis
ERFURT MIXED CHORUS: Markus Baisch
CHORAL AKADEMIE ERFURT: Cordula Fischer
3/2/2023
"Vocalise", (Celia Costea: soprano, Loukas Karytinos: conductor)
Christos Lambrakis Concert Hall, with the Athens State Orchestra, in its official festive concert celebrating the Athens State Orchestra’s 80th birthday.
19/2/2023
"Saint Filothei of Athens"- 500 years since the birth of the Saint, with the symphonic cantata for soprano, narrator, live electronics, by Nestor Taylor. Athens College Concert Hall, ERT Symphony orchestra and Chorus.
- Concerto Romantico (live recording), Lito Thomou –pno, Odessa Philharmonic conducted by Hobart Earl, Single - Donemus Records 2022
- Lux Aeterna, Mina Polychronou – sopr., Christos Papageorgiou – pno, Tetraktys Quartet, Single - Donemus Records 2022
- Ι Love the Lord, Trio Balticum, Single - Donemus Records 2022
- Vocalise (live recording), Mina Polychronou –sopr., Odessa Philharmonic conducted by Hobart Earl, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- Softly Awakes my Heart, Lito Thomou – pno, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- The Path of the Archangel, Elegy for strings (live recording), Nicholas Ward –Vn. solo, The Phorminx Ensemble conducted by Peter Weigold, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- Huis – Clos, 9 Monographs for piano, Alexandra Papastefanou – pno, EP - Donemus Records 2021
- Poison-Flower, for Cello solo, Cristina Basili – cello, Single - Donemus Records 2021
- Tenebrae, for solo piano, Theodore Tzovanakis – pno, Single - Donemus Records 2021