Poetry by Katerina Stamatelos


Poetry: All other poetry of mine (in Greek, English, and German) has been used in my own compositions. You will find them by clicking on the button "Compositions List" (at the left column) and strolling down. I have not uploaded all of them yet, as they also require translations, but I am working on this project at the present time!

Poetry: The poem Oracle was written 1997 in Iowa City: the original language is English. I have put the text into music in my first large ensemble composition.

For me, it was still a blissful time: I was at the second semester of my 3-year Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Iowa. I had been chosen for the DMA degree (Doctor of Musical Arts) in Piano Performance. And, as some more courses were needed (outside the field of piano), I chose Composition. The reason fo my choice was obvious to me: I had one of my compositions (MARTYRIA) chosen to be publicly performed! The performance was a great success and, soon after, I received a commission to write 3 to 4 Greek Songs. I was perplexed, surprised and...terribly scared. Finally, the Daemon Songs were created (in three languages) within only 15 days. They were also publicly performed and televised.

Thus, coming to Iowa, it was only natural to chose composition as a "supplementary course." I was placed in an introductory class and was bored to death: after all, I had already produced two full compositions (and all the 'directions' about how to form a musical phrase, etc. seemed infantile). So, at the end of the first semester, I grabbed my courage and went to a composer (David Gompper) and asked him whether I could enter Composition full time: he gave his consent. Being quite realistic though, I also approached the Director of Graduate Studies and asked for a permission to study Composition with a degree in mind (in addition to the DMA for Piano Performance). I will always remember this particular conversation between us.

Director: you can be a double major student, but you cannot aim for two Doctoral degrees! So, Composition has to be a Master degree.

Me: of course.

Director: you should also be aware that, as a double major, you will have to take all needed course for the DMA in piano in addition to all needed courses for the MA in composition. You will not be granted any 'favours,' like common courses.

Me: I undestand. It will be a lot of work so, I must ask you whether I could get an extension of my fellowship from 3 years to 4 years, if I promise you to bring A's on all courses of both degrees!

At this point, the Director took a good look at me (trying to figure out whether I felt that strong or whether I was...totally nuts!). I looked back at him with determination and, suddenly, he replied: "It's a deal."

Thus, my double-major studies at the University of Iowa, School of Music, started. And, for a total of 4 years, I worked 12 hours a day (including ALL weekends and ALL Holidays).


ORACLE: The Recording

ORACLE: The Recording

Recent Articles

  1. Social Links: Social media.

    Mar 06, 24 08:24 AM

    social-media
    Social Links: Social Media. Twitter, LinkedIn, Youtube, Soundcloud, Pinterest.

    Read More

  2. Projections Split. A Composition for large orchestra.

    Oct 26, 23 08:49 PM

    Projections Split. A Composition for Large Orchestra.

    Read More

  3. Wilhelm Bachaus

    Aug 24, 23 05:29 AM

    Bachaus
    Wilhelm Bachaus

    Read More