The power of classic
Η δεύτερη συναυλία της Κρατικής Ορχήστρας Αθηνών στην Κηφισιά παρουσιάζει ένα πρόγραμμα που συνδυάζει την κομψότητα του κλασικισμού με τη δυναμική μετάβαση προς τον πρώιμο ρομαντισμό. Η λαμπερή Εισαγωγή από τον Ντον Τζοβάνι του Μότσαρτ ανοίγει τη βραδιά με θεατρική ένταση και δραματικό χαρακτήρα, ενώ το Κοντσέρτο για βιολί αρ. 5, γνωστό και ως «Τουρκικό», ξεχωρίζει για τη λυρική του ομορφιά, τη δεξιοτεχνία και το ιδιαίτερο φινάλε του. Το πρόγραμμα ολοκληρώνεται με τη Συμφωνία αρ. 2 του Μπετόβεν, ένα έργο γεμάτο ζωντάνια, αισιοδοξία και δημιουργική τόλμη, που προαναγγέλλει τη μεγάλη συμφωνική του περίοδο. Σολίστ της βραδιάς είναι η Εξάρχουσα της Ορχήστρας Κατερίνα Χατζηνικολάου, ενώ τη μουσική διεύθυνση έχει αναλάβει η Φαίδρα Γιαννέλου.
The second concert of the Athens State Orchestra in Kifissia presents a program that combines the elegance of classicism with a dynamic transition to early romanticism. Mozart's brilliant Don Giovanni Overture opens the evening with theatrical intensity and drama, while the Violin Concerto no. 5, also known as "Turkish", stands out for its lyrical beauty, virtuosity and special finale. The program is completed with the Agreement no. 2 by Beethoven, a work full of vitality, optimism and creative boldness, which heralds its great symphonic period. The soloist of the evening is the Orchestra's Exarchousa Katerina Chatzinikolau, while the musical direction has been undertaken by Phaedra Giannelou.
Beethoven year, concert in Trikala
The Athens State Orchestra travels to Trikala to open the Beethoven Year for the 200th anniversary of the death of the great composer. Two of his top works will be performed, which highlight two different but interrelated aspects of his creative genius. The Piano Concerto no. 3, a work of intense lyricism, drama and virtuosity, is an important milestone in the history of the piano concerto, while the emblematic Symphony no. 5, with its distinctive opening motif, remains a timeless symbol of human strength and victory over adversity. The soloist of the evening is the award-winning pianist of the younger generation Nikolas Pappas, under the musical direction of Eleni Kotsmanidou.
Carmen's Music, concert in Kifissia
It the aftermath of the Christmas and New Year’s festivity, the concert that some days earlier is performed in Kalamata, is given in Kifissia. There can’t be a more beautiful way for an orchestra and its audience to welcome a new year than George Bizet’s Carmen, this ideal mix of French finesse and Spanish passion, timeless melody and orchestral splendor. At the same time, two prominent members of the Athens State Orchestra step away from their regular roles to take center stage as soloists, introducing to the audience two distinct works of their instruments’ repertoire, one very famous (Mendelssohn) and another less known, however equally atmospheric (Weinberg).
In collaboration with the Municipality of Kifissia
Carmen's Music, concert in Chania
It the aftermath of the Christmas and New Year’s festivity, the concert that some days earlier is performed in Kalamata, is given in Chania. There can’t be a more beautiful way for an orchestra and its audience to welcome a new year than George Bizet’s Carmen, this ideal mix of French finesse and Spanish passion, timeless melody and orchestral splendor. At the same time, two prominent members of the Athens State Orchestra step away from their regular roles to take center stage as soloists, introducing to the audience two distinct works of their instruments’ repertoire, one very famous (Mendelssohn) and another less known, however equally atmospheric (Weinberg).
In collaboration with the Municipality of Chania
Carmen's Music, concert in Chania
It the aftermath of the Christmas and New Year’s festivity, the concert that some days earlier is performed in Kalamata, is given in Chania. There can’t be a more beautiful way for an orchestra and its audience to welcome a new year than George Bizet’s Carmen, this ideal mix of French finesse and Spanish passion, timeless melody and orchestral splendor. At the same time, two prominent members of the Athens State Orchestra step away from their regular roles to take center stage as soloists, introducing to the audience two distinct works of their instruments’ repertoire, one very famous (Mendelssohn) and another less known, however equally atmospheric (Weinberg).
In collaboration with the Municipality of Chania
Spectrum
The Athens State Orchestra presents a multifaceted documentary-style performance that brings the orchestra’s musicians themselves to the forefront. Under the musical direction of Myrsini Chatzikonstanti and the stage direction of Giannis Kakleas, theater meets musical chronicle. An exceptional actor (Vassilis Haralambopoulos) shares with the audience the journey of the orchestra and its role throughout the centuries, while the orchestra itself unfolds the historical evolution of its sound: from Haydn’s elegance to the bold explorations of the modern era. In addition, the auditory experience is complemented by a live projection of artistic photographs from the rehearsals, captured by the orchestra’s cellist, Ilias Sakalak. A photo exhibition by the artist welcomes the audience in Megaron the Athens Concert Hall's foyer, offering a moving glimpse into the very soul of the people of the State Orchestra.
Prokofiev with Petrin
Timotheos Gavriilidis-Petrin is not only our Orchestra’s leading cellist, but also one of the most talented Greek artists of the younger generation, by already developing a remarkable action at an international level and successfully performing at the most prominent concert halls of the world The internationally ascending English conductor, Finnegan Downie-Dear follows a similar course, as each time he collaborates with the Athens State Orchestra in the last years, he gains the musicians’ increasing admiral and trust by simultaneously leading our audience to a whirlwind of applause, enthusiasm, and genuine musical delight!
A touch of France
A natural consequence of such a successful debut as this of Rodolfo Barráez last year, is the return of the beloved and distinguished Venezuelan conductor to the podium of the Orchestra to perform two monumental romantic French symphonic works: Franck’s Variations and Bizet’s Symphony that always reminds us that Bizet’s composing work was not limited to Carmen! The well-known, beloved pianist, Giorgos – Emmanouil Lazaridis is the evening’s soloist, employing his perfect musical instinct and limitless capacities in performing not only Franck’s work, but also Saint-Saëns’s brilliant piano fantasy Africa. The program is completed by a work by Filippos Tsalachouris, inspired from the figure of the great French novelist, Honoré de Balzac.
Mozart - Requiem
The Athens State Orchestra and Megaron the Athens Concert Hall’s musical proposal for this year’s Passion Week may not be surprising, however this doesn’t render it less charming and attractive; just the opposite! No one can resist one more performance of Mozart’s swan’s song, the “last words” of one of the greatest composers of all times. No one can remain unmoved when listening to Penderecki’s Threnody; a piece of “cinematic” power, evoking both terror and reflection, as an expression of the horror we all feel in the face of the devastation and death wrought by the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima.
Schuman & Bruckner
When talking about the Spanish cellist, Pablo Ferrández, many people refer to a scarce genius of that instrument and this is proven by his numerous international prizes, among which this of the extremely demanding Tchaikovsky competition of Moscow. As he is a young artist at the peak of his career, it is more than expected to be present at one of the key Athens musical events of the artistic year, the Spring Festival. It is equally expected that the experienced and well-established conductor among the music lovers, Lukas Karytinos shall set his particular seal to Bruckner’s Symphony no. 7, a milestone of Romanticism and, beyond any doubt, the most resonant among the composer´s Symphonies at all times.