Love and destiny
The Polish conductor Michal Nesterowicz, a rising star on the international music scene, makes his début with the Athens State Orchestra. His interpretations of the work of the distinguished composer Giorgos Zervos and, of course, his reading of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, which echoes the dramatic clash of Man and Fate, are eagerly anticipated. The evening’s soloist, Athens State Orchestra’s principal harpist, Georgia Xagara, gives us the chance to enjoy the ethereal, romantic sound of the harp “up close”.
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Towards heaven
A rare opportunity for Athenian audiences to enjoy Franz Liszt’s magnificent Symphony, which was inspired by the metaphysical poetry of Dante. The Viola Concerto, the swan song of 20th-century composer Béla Bartók, is performed by a member of the Athens State Orchestra, Mikhail Smirnov, and the concert ends with the world première of the Second Symphony by the important Greek composer, Christos Samaras. [Please note that the concert was originally scheduled for 9 November 2012.]
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Kiss me!
Select Greek opera singers and the distinguished maestro, George Petrou, join forces for a gala evening dedicated to that most light-hearted and entertaining sister of opera: the operetta. As the dawn of a New Year draws near, much-loved tender and romantic melodies by leading lights of the French, Austrian and Greek operetta traditions add, as only they can, to the festive atmosphere of the season.
19:45
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Christmas Concert: “J.S.Bach & Sons”
Perhaps inevitably, the unique figure of Johann Sebastian Bach often overshadows the singular talents of several of his sons and their important contributions to the development of European music. In the festive spirit of Christmas, the well-known Baroque specialist, Markellos Chrysikopoulos joins forces with four outstanding soloists and invites us to discover and enjoy two devout religious works by Johannes Christian and Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach.
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Invitation to the dance
The distinguished Slovakian maestro Juraj Valcuha conducts a series of works featuring the idea—and, above all, the feel—of dance. An entire orchestra twirling sensually as one to waltzes by Weber, Strauss and Ravel that range from the idyllic to the frenzied. The evening of dance continues with the celebrated violinist Simos Papanas bringing all his passion and virtuosity to bear on Saint-Saens’ much-loved Third Violin Concerto.
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Music from the New World (V)
The final concert in our American music cycle explores the magical soundscapes of Jazz, which many have called “the key musical discovery of the 20th century”. The Manhattan Vibes, the celebrated jazz group founded by the Greek vibraphonist, Christos Rafalides, join forces with the Athens State Orchestra in an original programme which also includes much-loved symphonic works by Gershwin and Bernstein—both of whom included ‘jazz’ sounds and rhythms in their work.
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Event to mark the 60th anniversary of the “Friends of Music” Society
Participating in the musical celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Friends of Music Society, the Athens State Orchestra will be accompanying the world-famous Greek violinist, Leonidas Kavakos, in Brahms’ imposing concerto. Vassilis Christopoulos will be conducting.
Music from the New World (IV)
The overture to Bernstein’s operetta, Candide, and Barber’s lyric Violin Concerto—performed on this occasion by the Japanese violinist, Kyoko Tanino—share an irresistible tonal delicacy. The centrepiece of the programme, however, is the stirring Ninth Symphony by the Czech Romantic composer, Antonín Dvorak, whose experiences of the New World it conveys with passion and magnificence.
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Music from the New World (III)
During turbulent periods of the 20th century for the Old World, the United States provided a number of European composers with a ‘New World’ and a political and artistic refuge. The programme of this fascinating concert by the Athens State Orchestra conducted by Vladimiros Symeonidis features a number of works by celebrated European composers which were written in—and, in some cases, directly inspired by—America.
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders
Music from the New World (II)
Milestones in the history of American music, highpoints in the output of three American composers from the early, mid and late 20th century respectively, performed by the Athens State Orchestra. The experienced maestro Miltos Logiadis conducts a programme including celebrated works by the “Dean of American composers”, Aaron Copland, while the exceptional violinist, Antonis Sousamoglou, joins the orchestra to play the award-winning Second Concerto by the American composer of Greek descent, George Tsontakis.
Pre-concert talk, free for ticket holders