Chamber Orchestra of Europe – Constantinos Carydis – Francesco Piemontesi
Works by Koukos, Liszt, Purcell, Berlioz

It is safe to say that Constantinos Carydis has secured a distinguished place among the constellation of Europe’s leading conductors. A true musical visionary, the Greek maestro—who has previously led the Wiener Philharmoniker, Berliner Philharmoniker, the Münchner Philharmoniker, the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared at the Edinburgh and Salzburg Festivals, the BBC Proms in London’s Royal Albert Hall, the Covent Garden Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera—fascinates both audiences and the musicians he conducts from the podium. His performances always bear the unmistakable imprint of his artistic personality: unexpected without being self-conscious, modern without overstating their sophistication, and profoundly musical, they accommodate a bold approach to programming that fearlessly bridges British baroque, French Romanticism, and contemporary Greek music. While they may surprise audiences upon first contact, they ultimately leave them enthralled.

This year, Carydis takes the podium of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus alongside the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (which enchanted audiences last year under Simon Rattle’s direction) for the world premiere of a work by his mentor, Periklis Koukos. A composer of international calibre and a former Artistic Director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival (2000 to 2003), Koukos has developed an instantly recognisable and admirably consistent musical language among his peers. A titan of orchestration, his award-winning compositions—including Conroy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Manuel Salinas—have been performed by esteemed European orchestras and conductors. For this occasion, Koukos will introduce a new work for a large ensemble dedicated to Carydis himself—making this evening an event of the highest order! The programme’s first half features a rare collaboration between Carydis and Francesco Piemontesi, one of today’s most sought-after pianists. A true piano intellectual, the Swiss virtuoso—hailed as the “new Alfred Brendel” by critics—will perform Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2. From its languid lyrical opening to its triumphant, march-like finale, Piemontesi navigates the concerto’s evolving moods with remarkable fluidity. The second part features just two performers on stage, presenting a brief yet poignant piece by English composer Henry Purcell. Originally composed as incidental music for an English adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus, the piece delivers a moving message: “Music for a while Shall all your cares beguile,” sings the baritone singer, subtly referencing the evening’s opening work and the myth of Lavdakides. At the same time, it serves as a prelude to the tragedy to be unfolded before our very ears: at the height of 19th-century Romanticism, Hector Berlioz composed Symphonie fantastique, transmuting an unrequited love affair—with all its joys and passions—into music. What begins as a dream slowly morphs into a nightmare, culminating in the grotesque round dance of the witches’ sabbath in the final movement. Under the experienced hands and baton of Carydis, this will be far from just another performance of this orchestral masterpiece. Instead, the Greek conductor will open a hidden door, leading us straight to the heart of the French composer’s genius.

Thanasis Apostolopoulos