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The Skin of the Sound

Anthony Fiumara is a Dutch-Italian composer born in 1968 who received his musical education at the University of Utrecht. He has made significant contributions to the world of music through various roles in his career. While working full-time as a composer, he also had successful stints as a music journalist, radio program maker, and conservatory teacher. Since 2018, he has been the head of composition at Fontys AMPA in Tilburg.

Fiumara’s artistic endeavors are diverse and prolific. He was the artistic director of Orkest De Volharding and Compagnie Bischoff. He co-founded the Amsterdam Electric festival, the indie-classical ensemble Lunapark and the independent record label Alaska Records. In 2022, he completed the Master Creator Performer program at Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts, furthering his artistic development and knowledge.

As a composer, Fiumara’s work has been sought after by various international soloists and ensembles, such as musikFabrik, Trio Mediaeval, Quartetto Maurice, Ensemble Klang, and Sentieri Selvaggi, among others.

Collaboration plays a significant part in Fiumara's career, particularly with choreographer Wubkje Kuindersma. Their joint efforts have resulted in mesmerizing performances that blend music and dance seamlessly. In 2022, Fiumara's album Vitreous Body was released on Philip Glass’s label, Orange Mountain Music, featuring the ensemble Slagwerk Den Haag.

While Fiumara is known for his orchestral contributions, he has also explored other musical avenues. For instance, he is part of the ambient duo Poulson Sq. alongside Mathijs Leeuwis, showcasing his versatility beyond traditional classical music. Additionally, he exhibits his electronic music prowess as a solo performer.

Fiumara’s music is characterized by a dynamic style, with keywords such as speed, energy, layers, and clear contrasts. Examples of his work include the orchestral piece Here Comes Everybody, the orchestral song cycle One Thousand Roads, and the requiem Memorial Park. His music focuses on the physical experience of sound, what he calls “the skin of sound.”

Moreover, his expertise as an orchestrator is highly sought after, with a repertoire that includes arrangements of music by distinguished artists such as Steve Reich, Terry Riley, John Adams, Simeon ten Holt, Erik Satie, Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, and David Bowie.

Biography (English) PDF

Articles and Interviews

Margaretha Coonrstra (Luister 2019)
De 'verpixeling' van de wereld

Joep Christenhusz
(Booklet for November Music 2017)
What You Hear Is What You Hear

Margaretha Coonrstra (Luister 2017)
'Eenvoudig is niet hetzelfde als makkelijk'

Joep Stapel
(NRC, 2017)
'Rockachtige' dodenmis van Van Brederode en Fiumara