On Friday, July 29 at the Kalamata Dance Hall (Main Stage).
The internationally renowned conductor Christoph Eschenbach directs her Underground Youth Orchestra in a unique concert, on Friday, July 29 at 9 p.m. at the Kalamata Dance Hall (Main Stage), as part of the “Kalamata International Music Days” Festival.
With him three excellent soloists: Katerina Hatzinikolaou, violin, Johannes Przygodda, cello and Triantafyllos Liotis, piano will perform Beethoven’s masterpiece triple concerto. The program also includes Beethoven’s iconic 5th symphony.
The concert is held under the auspices of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens.
Christoph Eschenbach is a phenomenon in the top tier of international conductors. Universally recognized as both conductor and pianist, he belongs to the traditional generation of German intellectuals which he combines with a rare emotional intensity, creating performances that are revered by concertgoers worldwide. Renowned for the breadth of his repertoire and the depth of his performances, he has conducted many leading orchestras and won the highest musical accolades.
Investigating the circumstances that led to the emergence of such a gifted talent, we can look back to his early years: born in the heart of a stormy, war-torn Europe in 1940, his childhood was marked by a series of personal tragedies. We can truly say that music was his savior and his life began to change when he learned the piano. Today, at the age of 80, his keen artistic curiosity has not diminished and he still enjoys working with the best international orchestras. He is also known as a tireless supporter of young talent – this is his greatest passion, and he values his contribution to mentoring emerging talent above his own distinguished career. Moved by the energy and drive of young people – “those one hundred percent artists”, as he calls them – he has a personal mission to pass the baton on to the next generation. His discoveries to date include pianist Lang Lang, violinist Julia Fischer and cellists Leonard Elschenbroich and Daniel Müller-Schott. As an artistic advisor and lecturer at the prestigious Kronberg Academy, he accompanies young violinists, cellists and cellists on their way to becoming world-class soloists. Christoph Eschenbach continues to explore new horizons and since September 2019 he is the Music Director of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin.
THE Underground Youth Orchestra after ten years of artistic presence it is one of the most important young symphony orchestras in Greece. In recent years it has also been active abroad, cooperating with German universities and institutions.
The goal of the Underground Youth Orchestra is to offer young talented musicians the opportunity to train in orchestral art by participating in high-level concerts in Greece and abroad, with famous conductors and soloists. At the same time, the possibility of artistic development of its talented members is given through their solo performance with the orchestra and their participation in masterclasses with selected professors from Europe.
The founder and artistic director of the orchestra is Kostas Iliadis.
The Underground Youth Orchestra is honored to be supported and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture. After the announcement of the orchestra as Greek Ambassador by the Greek Tourism Organization in its campaign for Greek tourism in 2020, it is also under the auspices of the Hellenic Tourism Organization. The actions of the educational program are supported as a communication sponsor by ERT and the Third Program.
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827):
Triple Concerto, Op.56 (1804)
· Allegro
· Largo
· Rondo alla Polacca
Katerina Chatzinikolau, violin
Johannes Przygodda, violoncello
Triantafyllos Liotis, piano
Symphony No.5, Op.67 (1807-1808)
· Allegro con brio
· Andante con moto
· Scherzo. Allegro – Trio
· Allegro (C major)
Christoph Eschenbach, director
Information
6th Kalamata International Music Days
Friday, July 29, 2022
Kalamata Dance Hall (Main Stage): O.T. 574, Artemisos, Kalamata 241 00
Start time: 21.00
Ticket price: €8 regular, €5 reduced
Presale:
www.ticketservices.gr/event/the-underground-youth-orchestra-christoph-eschenbach
and by phone: 2107234567
The concert is held under the auspices of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens.
Christoph Eschenbach – his career at a glance
Christoph Eschenbach (born 20 February 1940 in Wrocław) was a war orphan and was raised in Schleswig-Holstein and Aachen by his mother’s cousin, the pianist Wallydore Eschenbach. His lessons laid the foundations of his brilliant musical career. After studying with Eliza Hansen (piano) and Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg (conductor), he won notable piano prizes – such as the ARD competition in Munich in 1962 and the Concours Clara Haskil in 1965 – which helped to open the path to his growing international fame.
Supported by mentors such as George Szell and Herbert von Karajan, the focus of Christoph Eschenbach’s career shifted increasingly to conducting: From 2010 to 2017, Eschenbach held the position of Music Director of the Washington National Symphony Orchestra.
Over five decades, Christoph Eschenbach has built an impressive discography, both as a conductor and pianist, with a repertoire spanning from JS Bach to contemporary music. Many of his recordings have achieved reference status and received numerous awards, including the German Record Critics Award, the MIDEM Classical Award and a Grammy Award. For many years, Eschenbach’s preferred Lied partner has been the baritone Matthias Goerne. In recordings and live performances, e.g. at the Salzburg Festival, the two perfectly matched artists have explored the rich treasures of the German Romantic period, from Schubert to Brahms.
Christoph Eschenbach has been awarded the Chevalier de la Légiond’ Honneur and is a Commandeur des Artset des Lettres – he is a holder of the German Federal Cross of Merit and a recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award.
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