alexandros
KAPELIS
The Complete Bach Concertos
Alexandros Kapelis is joined by the
Berliner
Barock Solisten
Baroque Ensemble of the
Berlin Philharmonic
The Complete Concertos for Solo Keyboard by Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 1052-1058)
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Very few ensembles specializing in early music can display a level of artistic mastery akin to that of the Berliner Barock Solisten. Comprised of prominent members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, the musicians have created a unique approach to performing works of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Their flexibility and homogeneity is virtually unparalleled internationally, having elicited worldwide acclaim from both public and press. The ensemble’s activities are documented on a rich discography with Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, and other leading labels.
Alexandros Kapelis teams up with the Berliner Barock Solisten, recording the complete concertos for solo keyboard and orchestra by Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 1052-1058). This is the first time that the musicians will record the entire set of these concertos. A tour-de-force for soloist and ensemble alike, the artists have performed all of Bach’s solo keyboard concertos in one evening, giving the audience the rare opportunity to hear these masterpieces in one go.
Following the upcoming release of their recording, the ensemble and Kapelis will embark into a series of worldwide performances, kicking off their tour at London’s Barbican Hall and Salle Gaveau in May 2023, followed by a tour of Asia, and more concerts currently being rescheduled after various pandemic-related cancellations.
Alexandros Kapelis heads the campaign
The New Breath
of Venice
performing atop the Arsenale Tower as part of
leading a series of musical events
as Venice gradually recovers
from the pandemic
Venice, city of culture, for centuries a magnet for the world’s greatest artists and currently a gathering place for lovers of beauty from all nations, was particularly hit by the covid-19 pandemic. In late May 2021, Venice has been the first Italian city to open up to culture and hold major international events, first with its renowned Biennale, followed by the Salone Nautico.and the G-20 Summit. Both events take place in the Arsenale area, an iconic city location where the mighty Venetian ships, the galleasses, were made during the city’s reign over the Mediterranean Sea as “Queen of the Adriatic.”
Under the aegis of the City of Venice authorities, and as part of the 1600th anniversary of the city’s foundation in 421 AD, Venice sends a message of rebirth with a performance by artist-in-residence Alexandros Kapelis perched atop the 40-meter-tall Arsenale Tower. Seen through the lens of director Tobia Berti, the performance also captures stunning views of Venice as the city awakens from nearly a year and a half of slumber. This performance is the first of a series of concerts that Alexandros Kapelis will lead in Venice in 2022, joined by several renowned soloists as a follow-up to the campaign “Renaissance: The New Breath of Venice.”
A Steinway Artist, Alexandros Kapelis appears by courtesy of Steinway & Sons and on this occasion performs on the newly-created Zanta B-200, chosen by the City as the embodiment the local Venetian craftsmanship and representing the family-owned business that have been ravaged by the pandemic. Kapelis chose a work by Muzio Clementi, who in addition to being a well-known Italian composer—and piano virtuoso who could rival Mozart—was also an important piano maker, considered by many the “father of the piano.”
Pierre Cardin
Alexandros Kapelis partners with
legendary French cultural icon
in shaping the much-loved
festival in the heart of Provence
In 2016, Alexandros Kapelis came to the attention of fashion icon and UNESCO Ambassador, the late Pierre Cardin, who entrusted him with the artistic direction of a mini-series in order to expand the Festival de Lacoste's scope beyond its original vocal and theatrical bent. Kapelis curated a series of concerts within the festival's sixteenth edition, including selecting the repertoire and artists, and performed in chamber music and orchestral settings alongside Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky, Gábor Tákacs-Nágy, the Orchestre del’Opéra de Toulon, and others. The project to further develop the festival continues to-date, with programming plans for the future under way.
The Château de Lacoste is located in the heart of Provence’s Luberon, between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. Pierre Cardin bought the castle in 2001 and undertook the large project of restoring the historical site formerly owned by the Marquis de Sade. Since the completion of the renovations in 2001, the château’s courtyard and its adjoining quarries have hosted the Lacoste International Festival every summer. Some of the greatest classical singers of our time have graced the festival’s stage, such as Renée Fleming, Angela Georghiu, Natalie Dessay, June Anderson, Teresa Berganza, Philippe Jaroussky, Jonas Kauffman, Rolando Villazón, Juan Diego Flórez, and others. Lacoste has also been a yearly meeting point for lovers of theatrical productions, opera, and musique de variété, reflecting the eclectic taste of the festival’s founder.
Carnaval des Animaux
Martha Argerich Gábor Takács-Nagy
Mischa Maisky
Alexandros Kapelis Orchestre de l'Opéra de Toulon
Annie Dutoit Martha Argerich Alexandros Kapelis
Martha Argerich Alexandros Kapelis
The Greco-Latin Trust
for Young Pianists
An initiative by Alexandros Kapelis
“A young musician’s ability to grow and flourish should be based on talent, potential, perseverance, and moral character—not on their family’s finances.”
Alexandros Kapelis
The Greco-Latin Trust for Young Pianists aims to help aspiring young musicians pursue their musical studies in London. Every year, the Trust will select one piano student of Greek or Latin American background and will offer the young musician a maximum stipend of 10,000 GBP to help cover the student’s living expenses in London for one year. Founded by Alexandros Kapelis, the Trust reflects Kapelis’ own experience as a student in New York :
“When was 20 years old, I came to New York as a graduate student at the prestigious Mannes School of Music. The school had generously granted me a full scholarship that covered all of my tuition, but I still had to face the challenge of covering my living expenses in New York. Although I remember this time of my life fondly, I also can’t forget how difficult it was to fend for myself while pursuing a full-time programme at one of the world’s leading music schools.
Today, many young musicians, especially from countries facing economic challenges such as Greece or the Latin American nations, have shared with me their similar story. They have been admitted to leading schools and have been awarded a full-time scholarship to cover their tuition, but they find little time to practice as they spend most of their day doing the odd job in order to make ends meet. Admission to these elite music schools is extremely competitive, with thousands of applicants from all over the world vying for a few select openings. It is a great privilege to be admitted—even more so with a full scholarship. I find it tragic that these young people, who have had the drive to make it so far, cannot fully rise to the occasion because of financial constraints. I aim to give these aspiring musicians the opportunity to immerse themselves in their art for a year, and to fully apply themselves during this important period."
Application to the Trust is open to musicians from Greece or Latin-America pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Piano Performance, currently enrolled as a full-time student (or accepted to a full-time programme) at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. For more information and to apply, visit this link.