First musical steps

By Maria Gregoriou

The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra will present two young Cypriot musicians during two concerts this week in Paphos and Nicosia under the title Young Artists Platform – The First Step.

Violinist Andreas Lardis and pianist Christos Yiallouros – who were selected to participate in the concert after taking part in a competitive audition, will be conducted by Cypriot maestro Yiorgos Kountouris.

Lardis will interpret the hugely popular Zigeunerweisen op. 20 (Gypsy Airs) by violin virtuoso and composer Pablo de Sarasate, which encapsulates the Hungarian Gypsy spirit. Yiallouros will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano concerto no. 1, op. 25, which stands out for its spontaneity, virtuoso pyrotechnics and magnificent lyricism.

The Orchestra will also present three orchestral works, two of which are Cyprus premieres: the overture to the opera La Dame Blanche by the phenomenally successful opera composer François-Adrien Boieldieu and Camille Saint-Saens’ baroque dances Sarabande and Rigaudon, οp. 93, written in romantic idiom.

On both nights you will have the opportunity to listen to a not so often performed work by a female composer: the Overture in C major by Fanny Mendelssohn. Although Mendelssohn wrote hundreds of works, this is her only known orchestral work.

Lardis is from Limassol and started to learn the violin at five-years-old. His musical activity comprises participations in numerous recordings, concerts and shows and covers a wide range of musical styles such as classical, folk, rock and pop music.

Yiallouros from Nicosia began learning the piano at the age of seven. He went on to study at the Nicosia Music Lyceum and was a finalist in the ninth Pancyprian Competition Avantgarde for young pianists. He also participated in the 1st Pancyprian Youth Festival for Classical Music.

Young Artists Platform – The First Step
The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra presents a performance by young musicians. June 25. Markideio Theatre, 27 Andrea Geroudi, Paphos. 8.30pm. €12/7. Tel: 22-463144
June 26. Pallas theatre, Nicosia. 8.30pm

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