Getting to know the great P.I. Tchaikovsky

This Sunday why not end the day with a musical performance by the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, with Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Power and Passion.

The performance, under the auspices of President Nicos Anastasiades, will also include the collaboration of internationally famous Cypriot pianist Cyprien Katsaris.

The aim of the concert – like many before it – is to present the life and work of great composers. This particular concert can be called a live music-biographical documentary and tribute to Tchaikovsky.

Tchaikovsky’s music is extremely popular all over the world for its deep emotional appeal and is firmly established in the classical repertoire. The Russian composer managed to combine the unique characteristics, dynamics and sound of Russian music with the forms and compositional practices of western music, and has remained one of the most important composers that ever lived.

The first part of the concert will present musical excerpts from the most renowned and popular masterpieces by the Russian composer, such as the ballets Nutcracker and Swan Lake, his Violin Concerto in D major, Symphonies, his operas Eugene Onegin and Queen of Spades, the Fantasy Romeo and Juliet, 1812 Overture and many more. The two Cypriot soloists in this part are soprano Marianna Suri and the young violinist Andreas Zenonos. In addition to the music, there will also be a narration by actor Petros Georgadjis, as well as photographs and clip projection of the most significant events of Tchaikovsky’s dramatic and passionate life. The research, text writing and music editing for this section was carried out by pianist Vicky Stylianou.

In the second part, Katsaris will interpret Tchaikovsky’s emotionally charged Piano Concerto no. 1, op. 23. The authoritative French music magazine Diapason places Katsaris among the best pianists of the 20th century, while, according to Senior Music Critic Emeritus of the New York Times, Harold C Schonberg “he has a pronounced musical profile which puts him in a class far above the cut and dried exponents of the international school of modern pianists.”

During his rich career he has performed with the world’s best orchestras and conductors and has received prizes in numerous international piano competitions. In recognition of his work, Katsaris has been honoured with many awards including the Artist of UNESCO for Peace in 1997, Commandeur de l’Ordre de Mérite du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg in 2009, Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France in 2000, and the Nemitsas Prize in Cyprus, 2011.

During the concert on Sunday, the pianist will be awarded for his lifelong international contribution to the art of classical piano and to music culture in general.

Many talented musicians will come together to take us on a journey through Tchaikovsky’s music and tell the tale of his life. The Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra will present the music under the direction of its conductor, Yiorgos Kountouris.

P.I. Tchaikovsky – Power and Passion
Concert by the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra together with pianist Cyprien Katsaris. December 20. Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. 8pm. €12/7. Tel: 22-463144

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