Influenced by his Cypriot-Cuban family heritage, New York–based composer Alexandros Darna explores his multicultural identity and creates works that are often a vibrant blend of Cuban dance rhythms and Cypriot musical idioms.
Alexandros’s latest work for sinfonietta, Fables, was premiered under the baton of Jeffrey Milarsky at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. His symphonic work, Solus, premiered under the baton of Kyle Ritenauer at Neidorff-Karpati Hall. Recognition has followed his Minnaloushe for violin, percussion, and piano, which earned the prestigious "NY Fed. Of Music Clubs Israel Prize.”
In Cyprus, Alexandros arranged music for twenty-eight-time gold and platinum album vocalist (IFPI Greece) Alkistis Protopsalti and the TrakArt Pops orchestra directed by Aris Antoniades, and most recently his work Festivities for saxophone orchestra was performed under the direction of Yiannis Miralis at Strovolos Municipal Theater. Alexandros’ work for film includes Kamno Pilo—directed by Skevi Laou—an official selection of the International Short Film Festival of Cyprus and the West Side Mountains Doc. Fest. in Athens, Greece.
Coming from a very small town in Cyprus, Alexandros is the first Cypriot composer to pursue a degree at The Juilliard School (MM). Alexandros holds a degree from the Manhattan School of Music (BM), from which he was recognized for his academic achievement on the Dean’s list. His principal teachers include Robert Beaser, Melinda Wagner, Mark Stambaugh, Juan Piñera and Javier Iha Rodriguez for composition; Ronnie Oliver for conducting. Alexandros is honored to have been the recipient of the Vergottis, and the MSM International Advisory Board scholarship awards.
Press & Interviews:
The national Herald, December 27, 2022
