Dimitris Economou studied composition with Christos Samaras at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (BA/MA, PhD in Composition) and with William Brooks at the University of York (MA in Composition). He is a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Music Studies, School of Fine Arts, A.U.Th., where he has taught for many years. He teaches Composition and Advanced Music Theory at the Music College Conservatory of Thessaloniki and at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki.
His work is concerned with notions of time and perception. His music deals with the audio aspects that occur from disruption, interference, looping and distortion of sequential transformations and various textural developments, suggesting a textural approach with minimum, often gestural, material in his works. His music illustrates the paradox that exists with the simulation of a post-digital aesthetic in the composition of acoustic music, embracing and interrupting causality at the same time.
He has received national and international awards such as the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize 2009 (UK), the Charities Philharmonia Young Composers Award 2009 (UK), Honorary Mention Award in the 34 Concurs Joves Compositors Premi International F. Mompou 2013 (ES) and was also the Winner of the Sounds New / Coups de Vents project: International Composer Pyramid 2009-12 (UK). He has also received the: 8th Composition Competition Y. A. Papaioannou 2007 - 2nd Prize (GR), Contemporary Music Workshop in Thessaloniki Concert Hall 2006 - 1st Prize (GR), 3rd International Competition for Composers 2006 by the Mediterranean Music Centre - 2nd Prize (GR), Composition Competition for the 20 Years of Foundation - School Of Fine Arts - A.U.Th 2006 - Prize (3 equal, GR), Contemporary Music Workshop in Athens Concert Hall 2005 - Prize (3 equal, GR), 1st National Chamber Music Festival 2003 - Prize (3 equal, GR) among others.
Economou’s works have been published by Edition Peters and have been commissioned by orchestras such as the Athens State Orchestra (GR), Thessaloniki State Orchestra (GR), Philharmonia Orchestra (UK), Charities Philharmonia (UK), the Greek National Opera, and ensembles such as the Berlin PianoPercussion (DE), Trio IAMA (GR), dissonArt Ensemble (GR), Piandaemonium Ensemble (GR), Contra Tempo (GR), Lontano Ensemble (UK) Chimera Ensemble (UK), Ossian Ensemble (UK), Hellenic Ensemble for Contemporary Music (GR) among others. His works have been presented with numerous performances worldwide and released in collections by Dissonance Records, Irida Classical and Phasma Music.