Alex Christaki's education was an orthodox one. He studied music from the age of 6 while teaching himself the piano. Lessons began at the age of 9 when he also took up the violin and tuba. Composition was then quite apparent in the young musician.
He studied at Dartington College of Arts, Devon, England, from 1989 where Beethoven, Chopin and the Minimalists took effect on his inspiration for composition. He then studied for a music degree at Bath College of Higher Education in 1992.
His composition he says is post minimal with the influence of Shostakovich. His style can be closely linked to the American composer John Adams. He is heavily influenced by the minimalists having closely studied the music of Philip Glass, John Adams, Steve Reich, Terry Riley and La mont Young.
Philip Glass is his his primary influence having studied his music more closely than others. His studies with Glass took him to an interview in July 1994.
Alex Christaki has worked in many different aspects of music and has also
moved into the technology side. His output of music is quite fast as the
technology has enabled him to move very swiftly in his many works.
Having worked with young people all over the world on the composition of music for several years he is now a lecturer in Music and Music technology, and is currently director of a course in these fields and composer in residence in Plymouth, England where he lives.
As a composer he has worked for television, theatre and of course the concert hall with works ranging for solo instruments to orchestra. Apart from being Musical Director of a recent performance of Steven Sondiem's Sweeney Todd he also performs as a pianist; with a recent performance of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin with the Amadeus Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Philip MacKenzie. Future performances include Brahm's second piano concerto. He says that as far of performing goes, all he wants to do is perform the Brahms piano concertos Liszt's two piano concerto's, Gershwin's piano concerto, Beethoven's last two piano concerto's and finally the 32 Beethoven's piano sonata's. He the says hat he will be happy then "...but I will take my whole lifetime to do it... I have got to learn them first."
Recent collaborations include the latest Stranglers album where he worked on the string quartet arrangements. He is now working on arrangements for Steel Drums and orchestra. This collaboration is with Reel Steel and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. This is for a performance in 1997 to celebrate the opening of a new "Sound House" project, a performance art complex in Plymouth.
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