News – Updates

Dance of the Waves, new CD with Skalkottas' compositions

It is with particular joy and pride that we announce the release of our second CD with recordings of works by the outstanding composer, and once prominent member of our Orchestra, Nikos Skalkottas, by Naxos, the distinguished international record label.

Following the release of “The Neoclassical Skalkottas” (cat. no. 8574154) in February 2020, we immerse ourselves in the composer’s sonic universe once again in performances of three outstanding works. The CD begins with Series One of his popular 36 Greek Dances. A ground-breaking composition for its time, the Dances contains the quintessence of Greek music—its rhythm, style and vitality—condensed into symphonic poems. Next up are excerpts from his great popular ballet The Sea, for which Skalkottas collaborated with the enlightened choreographer and music educator Polyxeni Matey. He completed the work shortly before his untimely death in 1949. The CD ends with the composer’s legendary Suite no. 1 (Dance of the waves) for large orchestra. A texturally complex composition, it dates from the period of Skalkottas’ studies under Arnold Schoenberg. Six years later, he managed to rework it in its entirety from memory, since all his manuscripts had been left behind in Berlin. The performances are conducted by the Orchestra’s former Artistic Director, the internationally celebrated maestro Stefanos Tsialis.

To CD is imported exclusively and sold by Opera Compact Disc (Akadimias 57, Athens), which is giving music fans a 20% discount on this CD, too, even though it is a new release.

It is also available from record shops around Greece.

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Faidon Miliadis, new Concert Master

Following the audition that has been held in Megaron - the Athens Concert Hall in March 19th, 2021, it is with pleasure that the Athens State Orchestra announces its new second Concert Master of the Orchestra, Faidon Miliadis.

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Call for audition, Concertmaster, March 2021

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(Dis)playing Attica

Under the auspices of the Greek Presidency of the Council of Europe, May-November, 2020.

In collaboration with the Region of Attiki

The Hellenic Foreign Ministry and the Region of Attiki announce the start of the “(Dis)playing Attica” programme. The program is an initiative of the Athens State Orchestra and the Region of Attiki and is one of the cultural activities undertaken during the ongoing six-month Greek Presidency of the Council of Europe, which will end on 18 November 2020.

The cooperation and collaboration between the three (3) institutions sends out a powerful message of outwardness and commitment to the cultural wealth of Greece at this particularly difficult time as the pandemic continues to impact on so many of the things we formerly took for granted in our everyday lives.

The Deputy Foreign Minister and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Mr Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, stated that: "In collaboration with the Region of Attiki, we are proceeding with a series of cultural activities that will put the timeless values of our culture back in the spotlight. Starting from Athens and heading out from there into other neighbourhoods and parts of beautiful Attica, which symbolize for us—and for the rest of Europe, too—the universal values of Greek culture, these cultural events will be streamed online and embraced by 800 million Europeans. Because the Council of Europe and Europe don’t only mean rights and democracy. They mean culture, too, and Greece has a lot to show for itself in this sphere".

The Head of the Region of Attiki, Giorgos Patoulis, described the live-streaming of the concerts as a message of solidarity and cooperation between the countries that participate on the Council of Europe, stressing that “Music is a bridge of communication which unites peoples and promotes culture. Because music is life". Mr Patoulis noted that the Region of Attiki promotes European principles and values and focuses its activities on improving its citizens’ quality of life. As he stressed: “The Regions and Municipalities of Greece are all part of our national effort to deal with the pandemic and cooperate with the central authorities in the fight to protect our public health and support our fellow citizens in need”.

Finally, the Artistic Director of the Athens State Orchestra, Mr Loukas Karytinos, welcomed the initiative, saying: "As often happens, adverse conditions, over and above mere difficulties, give rise to new initiatives, partnerships and creative actions. In this way, the Athens State Orchestra, in collaboration with the Region of Attiki and the Hellenic Foreign Ministry, has taken this opportunity, along with its eminent musicians, to perform celebrated chamber music in different emblematic venues around Attiki. These concerts will give the audience the opportunity to meet the ASO's musicians face to face, to see their work, and to listen to outstanding compositions for smaller ensembles".

The ultimate goal of these cultural activities is to highlight the historical and cultural sites and humanitarian symbols of our land through a series of eight short concerts which, performed by various Athens State Orchestra ensembles, will range in content from a purely classic repertoire to film music, jazz, and the Greek art pop scene.

These images are expected to travel throughout Europe, highlighting the universal and timeless values of Greek civilization, which remain the foundations of European culture.

At this most difficult time, as we weather the second and more powerful wave of the pandemic, we hope these concerts will provide the public with a note of optimism and exaltation.

So tune in every Thursday, starting this Thursday, November 5, at 8 pm to the websites of the Greek Presidency of the Council of Europe the Region of Attiki, and the Athens State Orchestra and join in this music digital experience brought to you from the archaeological sites of Attica!

The concerts will be broadcast free; the last one will go out on 24 December 2020.

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Cancelation of events held by the Athens State Orchestra, November 30

The Athens State Orchestra, complying to the directions given by the relative Ministries in order to prevent spread of covid-19 and in common with the cultural institutions with whom it collaborated in co-production, is not able to hold all scheduled concerts until November 30th, 2020.

Specifically, the following concerts will not take place:

05.11.2020: Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis, at Megaron - the Athens Concert Hall.

20.11.2020: Greek Revolution I, at Megaron - the Athens Concert Hall.

For any other change affecting the programme of the Athens State Orchestra, relevant information will be issued.

Auditors are kindly requested to contact the box office of Megaron - The Athens Concert Hall (210 7282333, tickets@megaron.gr) to get a refund for their tickets.

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Cancelled: concert on 16th October 2020, "Slavic conceptions"

Unfortunately, the Athens State Orchestra, following directions of the relative Ministries, will not be able to hold the concert "Slavic conceptions", scheduled for 16th October 2020.

For any further programme change there will be a relative announcement.

Auditors are kindly requested to contact the box office of Megaron - The Athens Concert Hall (210 7282333, tickets@megaron.gr) to get a refund for their tickets.

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Greeting from the Artistic Director, Mr Lukas Karytinos

Dear Friends of the Athens State Orchestra,

The new artistic season begins with the same difficulties hanging over it that marked the end of its predecessor. The pandemic that has changed everything has dealt a powerful blow to both our concerts and our communication. It has forced us to find new and different ways to present ourselves, to perform great works from the repertoire with smaller ensembles, to collaborate remotely.

The new normal requires distance. It calls for the use of new technologies that will keep us safe in our homes, but far from the buzz of music performed live. Needless to say, we will adapt to the requirements of the day. We will employ every means available to enrich, reproduce and broadcast our work.

But we are here to rediscover the rhythm and harmony of our relationship. To reintroduce ourselves, to get to know each other better, and to enjoy the wonderful world of music together. And, following the guidelines to the letter, let us put ourselves in a place that can help us leave our daily cares and burdens behind and banish our mental tiredness and our resignation. Let's give ourselves the opportunity to communicate with our inner selves through music.

With the ASO, our orchestra.

Enjoy the music,

Lukas Karytinos

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Lukas Karytinos is the new Director of the Athens State Orchestra

Announcement of the Ministry of Culture and Sport

By decision of the Minister of Culture and Sport, Ms Lina Mendoni, the conductor Lukas Karytinos is appointed Director of the Athens State Orchestra. His appointment will be for a period of three years.

Lukas Karytinos was born in Athens in 1952 and studied Music and Law at the Athens Conservatory and the University of Athens respectively. From 1976 to 1981, he continued his studies with a specialization in orchestral conducting at the University of the Arts in West Berlin under Herbert Allendorf, while simultaneously attending conducting seminars at the Mozarteum University Salzburg led by Otmar Suitner and Walter Weller.

From 1981 to 1985, he worked in Germany (Koblenz, Cologne, Berlin). During his time in Berlin, he served as artistic director of the "Piccolo Teatro Berolino". In 1985, he was appointed a regular conductor at the Greek National Opera (GNO), whose Music Director he became in 1992. From 1999 until 2005, he served as Artistic Director of the same institution.

The GNO's repertoire expanded significantly during his tenure. A total of 17 new operas and 4 operettas were added, covering repertoire from the Baroque, which he cultivated systematically (Orlando Furioso by Vivaldi, Alcina by Handel), through to the 20th century (Le Grand Macabre by Ligeti, Peter Grimes by Britten). He also continued and expanded the practice of co-productions/partnerships with theatres abroad, and started touring both in Greece and internationally. In parallel, in 2000/01, both the New Stage and the Children's Stage began staging productions at the Acropol Theatre, with a respective focus on Greek operettas and operas for children. Performances of opera for children were also introduced at the Herodeion in that same season. The Experimental Stage was inaugurated in 2003/4, and the Greek National Opera Higher Ballet School was founded in 2004/05. Throughout his tenure, he strove to convince the Greek State of the necessity of providing the Opera with new premises.

Lukas Karytinos has conducted every major orchestra in Greece on multiple occasions and performed at the festivals of Athens & Epidaurus, the Arena di Verona, the Caracalla in Rome, the Festival Puccini Torre del Lago, the Kulturforum Witten in Germany, Las Palmas, Antibes et al. He has collaborated as a conductor with symphony orchestras including the London Philharmonia, RSO-Berlin, Suisse Romande, WDR, Bruckner Orchester Linz, Philomusica Oxford, Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, as well as with opera houses including the German Opera of Berlin, the Gran Teatre del Lice in Barcelona, the Teatro Ariaga Bilbao, and the operas of Cologne, Monte Carlo, Detroit, Rome, Catania, Cagliari, Modena, Livorno, Pisa, Bern, Salzburg et al.

He has worked with directors including P.L. Pizzi, G. Vick, G.C. del Monaco and H. De Ana, and collaborated with artists including G. Dimitrova, R. Bruson, M. Devia, J. Cura, D. Voigt, M. Guleghina, A.R. Antonacci, A. Rachvelishvili, L. Oropesa, K. Opolais, J. Starker and V. Tretjakov. Outside Greece, he has conducted in most of Europe as well as in Korea, the US, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere.

He has recorded for BMG, WEA, CBS, ETERNA and DYNAMIC. In addition to his vast symphonic repertoire, he also conducts over 70 operas. He has also conducted the world premières of three operas by Mikis Theodorakis: K. Karyotakis with the Greek National Opera directed by Sp. Evangelatos, Medea with the Bilbao opera, and Antigone an Athens Megaron Concert Hall production. He collaborated with M. Karydis on the Greek première of Mozart's La clemenza di Tito [The clemency of Titus), and conducted the Greek premières of Verdi's Il corsaro [The Corsair], Janáček's Jenůfa, and Massenet's Manon. The international critics count him among the finest interpreters of Italian opera.

The City of Athens awarded him its Gold Medal of Honour in 1989 for his "exceptional service" in the field of music. In 2001, he was awarded the "Dimitris Mitropoulos" prize by the Third Program of Greek state radio. In 2006, he was appointed by the P. Mascagni Foundation, which is based in Livorno, the composer's birthplace, to take charge of raising the profile of his oeuvre. His efforts culminated in a hugely successful grand tour with performances of Mascagni's opera Iris throughout Italy. The President of the Italian Republic bestowed on him the title of “Commendatore dell 'Ordine della Solidarieta' Italiana” for his contributions to promoting the work of P. Mascagni and to Italian opera in general around the world.

In 2008, the Union of Greek Theatre and Music Critics awarded him its Great Music Award for his performances of La Traviata with the Thessaloniki Opera and Turandot with the Greek National Opera at the Herodeion as part of the Greek Festival , as well as for his overall contributions to opera. In 2010, the Society of Friends of the Greek National Opera awarded him its Apollo prize for his contributions to the GNO. In 2016, the Academy of Athens awarded him the Spyros Motsenigos Prize (for Music).

Today, in addition to his musical activities, Lukas Karytinos is the Director of the Athens State Orchestra and teaches Conducting at the Athens Conservatory.

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#Stayhome April 3rd 2020

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#Stayhome

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