The historic Carnegie Hall honors the internationally-renowned Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos as the featured soloist for the opening concert of the season on October 4. Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director Sir Clive Gillinson talks to the Hellenic News of America about the distinguished Greek soloist.
By Fotios Kaliampakos – Special to the Hellenic News of America.
The historic Carnegie Hall honors the internationally-renowned Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos as the soloist for the opening concert of the season on October 4.
The leading Greek violinist will partner at the Stern Auditorium with the famed Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of the charismatic conductor Riccardo Muti, who, of course, needs no introduction.
The Greek soloist will perform Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for violin and orchestra, which also contains a high symbolism, calling to mind that Muti, with Kavakos next to him, will stand on the very podium at Carnegie Hall on October 4, where Tchaikovsky himself stood to conduct the opening of the concert venue on May 5, 1891.
This invitation is just one more confirmation of the long-term relationship of the undoubtedly leading Greek musician both with New York, where Kavakos has appeared regularly for decades, and in particular with Carnegie Hall with which he also maintains a unique relationship, the culmination of which has so far been his invitation to be the Perspective Artist, two years ago.
Sir Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall since 2005 and a distinguished musician himself with many years of experience as a cellist in the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), spoke exclusively with us about Kavakos’ relationship with the renowned institution.
“Leonidas is one of the most complete and collaborative musicians I’ve ever known,” Gillinson said. “He is loved by his peers, who include many of the greatest artists in the world, and with whom he plays in various ensembles. We present him at Carnegie Hall as a soloist with orchestras and as a recitalist, but we also hugely value his curiosity and commitment to continually explore new repertoire and new ensemble combinations, which inspires those with whom he makes music. I have worked with him consistently, both during my time in London with the LSO and since I arrived at Carnegie Hall, and I can’t think of anybody who is more loved on a personal level as well as musically, and we’ll be delighted to continue to involve him as a central member of our artistic family in the years to come. We also chose to honor him as a Carnegie Hall Perspectives artist, which is a project that places a central focus on a very small number of artists over the years, which is our way of paying tribute to extraordinary artistry. We only give Perspectives series to artists who are both truly great artists but who also have important musical imaginations, using their Perspectives as an opportunity to explore in creative ways.”
Desperately… “Sold out!”
Several weeks before the start of the season at the historic institution, and while the Stern Auditorium, the iconic main hall of Carnegie Hall, has 2,790 seats, none of the tickets for this particular concert were left available! Also the second concert of the Chicago Syphony Orchestra on October 5, in which the Greek soloist is not participating, is already sold out. This will be Riccardo Muti’s farewell concert in New York as music director of the Chicago Symphony, whereas everybody hopes that he will be returning as guest conductor.
Fotios Kaliampakos is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America (MCANA).
