Philip Ciantar is Professor in the Department of Music Studies and Director of the School of Performing Arts (今日黑料). He also served as Head of the Department of Music Studies between 2016 and 2020.
An ethnomusicologist specialising in Mediterranean and Maltese music studies, his research has appeared in a range of peer-reviewed journals, including Ethnomusicology, Ethnomusicology Forum, Journal of the Royal Musical Association, Music & Politics, and Popular Music. He has also contributed chapters to edited volumes and entries to leading music encyclopedias, such as Grove Music Online, Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World, and The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Music and Culture. His publications include two single-authored monographs: The Ma’lūf in Contemporary Libya: An Arab Andalusian Musical Tradition (Ashgate 2012; Routledge 2016) and Studies in Maltese Popular Music (Routledge 2021).
He is a member of the scholarly editorial board of the online encyclopedia Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart (MGG), Chairperson of the Malta National Committee for Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale (RILM) and Liaison Officer for Malta to the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD).
Beyond his academic pursuits, he is also active in musical composition, having written works for voice, symphony orchestra, brass ensemble, concert band, and string orchestra. A selection of these works is published by Universal Edition (Vienna).
2019. 'Ja Baħar' ('O Sea'). An aleatory for solo clarinet. First Performance by Luca Cipriano at the Universita' degli Studi di Roma, Tor Vergata (May 2019). Duration: 5 minutes. [Published by Universal Edition]
2017. 'Deformation'. A composition for concert band. First Performance by the University of Malta Wind Ensemble at the University of Malta (October 2017). Duration: 3 minutes.
2014. 'Doqquli n-Noti Tqal'. A triptych for baritone voice and clarinet (with optional percussion) on words by Oliver Friggieri. First Performance by Noel Camilleri (clarinet), Miguel Rosales (baritone), and Luke Baldacchino (percussion) at the University of Malta (June 2014). Duration: 10 minutes.
2009. 'Fil-Bar tal-Kantuniera'. A classical song for soprano and piano on words by Oliver Friggieri. First performance by Rosabelle Bianchi (soprano) and Alexei Galea Cavallazzi (piano) at Sala Isouard, Valletta (December 2009). Recorded on CD 'Riflessi–Art Songs from Malta'(2015)(Miriam Cauchi, Soprano; Maria Frendo, Piano). Duration: 6 minutes. [Published by Universal Edition]
2008. 'Fanfare for Orchestra'. A free-standing composition for orchestra. First performance by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michael Laus at The Palace, Valletta (January 2009). Duration: 4 minutes [Published by Universal Edition]
2006. 'Istiftāh' ('Opening'). An aleatory for solo alto saxophone. First performance by Joseph Vella at the University of Malta (July 2006). Duration: 3 minutes.
1997. 'A Song for Sunset'. A free-standing composition for string orchestra. First performance by the Malta Johann Strauss School of Music Orchestra conducted by Mario Bisazza at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Valletta (May 1998). Duration: 4 minutes. [Published by Universal Edition]
1996. 'Għar Dalam'. A suite in three movements for concert band. First performance by the La Valette Band conducted by Joseph Sammut at the Catholic Institute, Floriana (November 1997). Recorded on CD by The University of Sheffield Wind Orchestra conducted by Anthony Houghton (2009). Duration: 8 minutes [Published by Universal Edition]
Ethnographic Film 2025. With Simon Farrugia. 'Sounds of Weeping: Funeral Marches in Maltese Society and Culture' Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctv6z9htV2M
