Alkinoos Ioannidis
Encyclopedia
Alkinoos Ioannidis is a Greek-Cypriot
composer
, lyricist
, singer and orchestrator.
He was born in Nicosia
on 19 September 1969. His artistic family, with a painter
father and poet
brother was a source of inspiration for him. He first wanted to study drums
, but couldn't due to the lack of a drum teacher in Nicosia. Instead, he studied guitar
.
For the first 20 years of his life, he lived in a Nicosia suburb. After his military service, he went off to Greece
to study theatre
. He also entered the Philosophical School of Athens
, which he later gave up. He was more successful in his theatre studies where he played some major roles in well known Greek tragedies such as Alcestis
.
At the age of 23 he recorded his first album called Stin Agora Tou Kosmou (Greek: Στην Αγορά Του Κόσμου, In The World's Market) with lyrics and music written by Nikos Zoudiaris. This demo tape eventually reached the hands of a well known singer, Dimitra Galani. She instantly became fond of their music and Alkinoos' voice and helped them get a record deal.
Alkinoos and Zoudiaris followed with another album called Opos Mistika Kai Isicha (Greek: Οπως Μυστικά Και Ήσυχα, As Secretly and Quietly). Both albums turned gold.
From 1993 to 1997 he toured frequently in support of other artists, including one of the most important female figures of Greek music, Eleftheria Arvanitaki
. He also carried out one solo tour.
Ioannidis rarely appears to give interviews or take part in television shows. His primary public appearance consists of concert tours that he gives every year in locations around Greece and Cyprus
.
In 1997 his first self-penned album, O Dromos, O Hronos Kai O Ponos (Greek: Ο Δρόμος Ο Χρόνος Και Ο Πόνος, The Road, The Time and The Pain), was released to critical praise. The cover to was painted by his father. His subsequent albums have also had their covers painted by his father.
In 1999 he released another self-penned album, Anemodiktis (Greek: Ανεμοδείκτης, Weather Vane).
In 2000 he released a double-disc live album Ektos Topou kai Xronou (Greek: Εκτός τόπου και χρόνου, Out of Space and Time).
In 2003, he released Oi Peripeties enos Proskiniti (Greek: Οι περιπέτειες ενός προσκυνητή, The Adventures of a Pilgrim). It was a popular and critical hit.
In April 2006, he released an album of Cypriot
folk songs titled Pou Disin Os Anatolin (Greek:΄Πού Δύσην Ώς Άνατολήν, From West to East) with his long time violinist Miltiadis Papastamou.
On 9 March 2009, he released the album Neroponti (Greek: Νεροποντή, Downpour).
Unofficial
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, singer and orchestrator.
He was born in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
on 19 September 1969. His artistic family, with a painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
father and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
brother was a source of inspiration for him. He first wanted to study drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, but couldn't due to the lack of a drum teacher in Nicosia. Instead, he studied guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
.
For the first 20 years of his life, he lived in a Nicosia suburb. After his military service, he went off to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
to study theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
. He also entered the Philosophical School of Athens
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , usually referred to simply as the University of Athens, is the oldest university in Southeast Europe and has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837. Today, it is the second-largest institution of higher learning in Greece,...
, which he later gave up. He was more successful in his theatre studies where he played some major roles in well known Greek tragedies such as Alcestis
Alcestis (play)
Alcestis is an Athenian tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides. It was first produced at the City Dionysia festival in 438 BCE. Euripides presented it as the final part of a tetralogy of unconnected plays in the competition of tragedies, for which he won second prize; this arrangement...
.
At the age of 23 he recorded his first album called Stin Agora Tou Kosmou (Greek: Στην Αγορά Του Κόσμου, In The World's Market) with lyrics and music written by Nikos Zoudiaris. This demo tape eventually reached the hands of a well known singer, Dimitra Galani. She instantly became fond of their music and Alkinoos' voice and helped them get a record deal.
Alkinoos and Zoudiaris followed with another album called Opos Mistika Kai Isicha (Greek: Οπως Μυστικά Και Ήσυχα, As Secretly and Quietly). Both albums turned gold.
From 1993 to 1997 he toured frequently in support of other artists, including one of the most important female figures of Greek music, Eleftheria Arvanitaki
Eleftheria Arvanitaki
Eleftheria Arvanitaki is a Greek folk singer. She originates from the island of Icaria...
. He also carried out one solo tour.
Ioannidis rarely appears to give interviews or take part in television shows. His primary public appearance consists of concert tours that he gives every year in locations around Greece and Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
.
In 1997 his first self-penned album, O Dromos, O Hronos Kai O Ponos (Greek: Ο Δρόμος Ο Χρόνος Και Ο Πόνος, The Road, The Time and The Pain), was released to critical praise. The cover to was painted by his father. His subsequent albums have also had their covers painted by his father.
In 1999 he released another self-penned album, Anemodiktis (Greek: Ανεμοδείκτης, Weather Vane).
In 2000 he released a double-disc live album Ektos Topou kai Xronou (Greek: Εκτός τόπου και χρόνου, Out of Space and Time).
In 2003, he released Oi Peripeties enos Proskiniti (Greek: Οι περιπέτειες ενός προσκυνητή, The Adventures of a Pilgrim). It was a popular and critical hit.
In April 2006, he released an album of Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
folk songs titled Pou Disin Os Anatolin (Greek:΄Πού Δύσην Ώς Άνατολήν, From West to East) with his long time violinist Miltiadis Papastamou.
On 9 March 2009, he released the album Neroponti (Greek: Νεροποντή, Downpour).
Discography
- 1993 Stin Agora Tou Kosmou
- 1995 Opos Mistika Kai Isicha
- 1997 O Dromos, O Hronos Kai O Ponos
- 1999 Anemodiktis
- 2000 Ektos Topou kai Xronou (Live)
- 2003 Oi Peripeties enos Proskiniti
- 2006 Pou Disin Os Anatolin
- 2009 Neroponti
External links
OfficialUnofficial