“Possibly the most talked about classical
composition in Toronto’s history”
—
Nadine Silverthorne, CTV.ca
“One of the most talked about
contemporary classical compositions
of the decade”
—
Li Robbins, The Globe and Mail
“Several days ago I took out from my post box at the Jerusalem Academy your CD [CONSTANTINOPLE]. It is a beautiful music, wise, indeed a sanctuary...As you may already know, another bus had exploded this morning. Our TV went onto emergency transmission, but we did not listen to the words of the commentator, as quietly, but very powerfully the voice of your first composition [Creeds] rose, bringing some kind of wise soothing and even blessing. In more details I will respond a little later (with God’s help!)”
—
Z. P. Jerusalem, Private letter sent to the composer
“...A multi-media feast of the imagination...
...a work unlike any other in the Canadian musical literature..
Imaginatively staged, atmospherically lit and brilliantly performed,
Constantinople defies categories...it is in a class of its own.
”
—
William Littler, The Toronto Star
“At the conclusion of the premiere of Constantinople at the Banff Centre's Eric Harvie Theatre on Thursday, the near-capacity audience gave the work and its performers a long standing ovation. No wonder...the 90-minute multi-media piece weaves a bold and richly emotional tapestry of sound and image that clearly represents a stunning theatrical triumph in the marriage of music with digital technology.”
—
Bob Clarck, Calgary Herald
“Constantinople plays with the eye, the ear and the mind in a tantalizing fashion...
the production falls somewhere between opera, 60s happening and multimedia concert,
and it works on all those levels...[a] highly polished, intriguing show...
Bring it back, please.”
—
NOW Magazine
“It is a towering achievement that is a lavish assault on the senses...
a monumental fusion of many arts, rendered by an amazing array of very talented artists...
nothing can take away from the glory of Hatzis’ music, the majestic playing of the Gryphon trio,
Patricia O’Callaghan’s beautiful light soprano, and particularly, Maryem Hassan Tollar’s
passionate, earthy singing. ”
—
Paula Citron, Classical 96.3 FM
“The Gryphon Trio will be bringing Christos Hatzis' extraordinary work Constantinople to the Royal Opera House's Linbury Studio
later this month, but first they staged the piece at Montreal's En Lumière festival, where I witnessed how
its computerized lighting and video effects, eruptions of quadraphonic surround-sound
and polyglot mix of musical styles could be moulded into a persuasive 90-minute whole....
The joy of Constantinople is the way Hatzis has assembled it from simple but powerful musical themes,
which develop and sprout variations and overtones as the piece progresses.
However complex the staging may be, the music is always eloquent and emotionally direct.”
—
Adam Sweeting, The Daily Telegraph (UK)
“So much new music theatre fails to do anything innovative with such a wonderfully plastic medium
that when a work comes along which looks as if it might be a genuinely original synthesis of art forms
it demands close attention....Indeed, many who have seen the piece [Constantinople] appear to have been
bowled over by its sheer richness and unclassifiable theatricality.
”
—
The Guardian (UK)
“Hatzis’s bracing, multi-media work...demonstrates that new ground can still be broken when treating the East-meets-West theme, and with flair...Effective as the visual dimension of “Constantinople” was and without slighting the vocal contribution, which reached a frenzied peak with the insistent repetition of the “Alleluia,” the opera is mostly striking for Hatzis’s instrumental writing, boh on its own and in tandem with the singers.The music is above all energetic and is rooted in an actively polyphonic, mildly modernistic style that requires considerable dexterity from the players. Hatzis is especially inventive in expounding on musical ideas, partaking not just of traditional developmental techniques but also of the methods of jazz and even rock to heighten rhythmic drive, though without debasing his material. A lilting tango supplies captivating variety, and Hatzis gives the piece unity by deftly bringing back certain themes. ”
—
George Loomis, Musical America (USA)
“...Adam and Eve's fall from innocence is a gorgeous ballad for string quartet that stops time... The Pacifica Quartet gave eloquent voice to the central duties, conveying the tenderness and torment at the music's heart. ”
—
Donald Rosenberg, THE PLAIN DEALER
“ [Mirage?] is a fascinating and enigmatic work … This was a very moving piece—well executed and well received.”
—
Gwenda Nemerofsky, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
"A contemporary Canadian master"
—
THE NEW YORKER
"With his roots in proto-Christian spirituality, interest in world cultures and ability to mix and match musical styles, Hatzis is very much a composer of and for our time".
—
William Littler, THE TORONTO STAR
"One of Canada’s brightest lights at the height of his powers".
—
Stephen Pedersen, THE CHRONICLE HERALD
"We are fortunate to have a great master in our midst".
—
Robert Thomas, THE WHOLE NOTE
"Canadian composer Christos Hatzis is a master of musical style. He not only makes a virtue of eclecticism but has developed such confidence in its use that he splits the universe with it, multiplying his musical imagery and symbolism thereby to something approaching infinity".
—
Stephen Pedersen, THE CHRONICLE HERALD
"It is undeniable that his work here in past decades has been nothing short of stupendous in beauty and sheer audacity".
—
John S. Gray, THE WHOLE NOTE
"Christos Hatzis is currently enjoying a growing international reputation as one of the most important composers writing today. His works are being performed, broadcast and recorded in Canada, the US and in Europe by some of the world's best known soloists and ensembles".
—
CBC RECORDS
"Christos Hatzis is one of Canada's most important composers...Canada is extremely fortunate to count this Greek-born musical savant among its citizens".
—
Murray Gingsberg, THE INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN
:
Christos Hatzis has a show on 2012-02-05 at 19:00 @ Walter Hall, Uni... in Toronto, ON http://t.co/xjjQeNWl #concert
