Christos Hatzis

Christos Hatzis is a composer whose work is distinguished by a continuous dialogue between spiritual traditions, contemporary technologies, and musical influences drawn from diverse cultures. Based in Canada, he has established himself as a significant figure in Canadian contemporary music through a catalogue spanning orchestral, choral, chamber, and multimedia works. His music is regularly performed internationally and has been documented in several notable recordings, including Lamento Ecstasy (2020), an album devoted entirely to his compositions, notably the vocal cycles Lamento and Ecstasy. Born in Greece in 1953, Hatzis received his early musical training at the Hellenic Conservatory in his hometown before continuing his studies at the Eastman School of Music and the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned a PhD in composition. In 1982, he settled in Canada and became a Canadian citizen three years later. Alongside his career as a composer, he has taught composition at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music. The album To Dream of Silence (2017) features, among other works, Extreme Unction for bass clarinet and string orchestra, performed by Jeff Reilly. Hatzis's musical language frequently combines classical composition, electronics, Byzantine traditions, Indigenous Canadian cultures, and non-Western influences. This stylistic diversity is reflected in works that place spiritual, philosophical, and intercultural themes at their core. Among his best known compositions are Constantinople, String Quartet No. 1 ("The Awakening"), and Going Home Star. Many of his works were commissioned by leading ensembles and performers, reflecting the recognition his music has earned within the contemporary repertoire. Hatzis has received several major Canadian honors, including the Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music, the Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award, and multiple Juno Awards for his compositions. His catalog continues to expand and reach new audiences through recent recordings, including Vanishing Point (2024), a collaborative project bringing together several of his more recent works and further reflecting his longstanding interest in the intersection of musical genres and artistic disciplines. ~ Islem Meghiref, Rovi