THEODORE ANTONIOU (b. 1935)
COMPLETE PIANO WORKS
KONSTANTINOS DESTOUNIS
“Since my childhood I have been aware of Antoniou’s name, as one of the most significant living Greek composers. Later on, as I became exposed to his piano works, I was immediately taken by their dramatic nature, virtuosity, exploration of sound-colours and stylistic variety. These pieces had never been recorded before, so I felt that it is of vital importance to make them available to a worldwide audience. As a pianist I have been privileged to work closely with the composer himself; this has been the key to unlock the secrets of his music.”
– Konstantinos Destounis
(b. 1935)
About this Recording
Theodore Antoniou is one of Greece’s most celebrated and prolific contemporary composers. His music integrates traditional Greek musical elements within styles ranging from the impressionism of Aquarelle to the virtuoso effects of Entrata, all approached in intuitive ways, and always with an underlying dramatic plot inspired by ancient Greek drama, resulting in the invention of ‘Abstract Programmatic Music.’ This programme was recorded in the presence of the composer, who considers Konstantinos Destounis ‘a phenomenon… a great interpreter of my complete piano works.’
OP. 4, NO. 2 (1958) * (07:39)
TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 79:00
KONSTANTINOS DESTOUNIS
Konstantinos Destounis is regarded as one of the most prominent Greek artists of his generation. He is a prizewinner in many international piano competitions, most notably the Grand Prix Maria Callas in Athens, the Southern Highlands in Canberra, the Giorgos Thymis in Thessaloniki and the Bremen European Piano Competition. His performing career has led him to prestigious venues, such as the Royal Albert Hall in London, La Fenice in Venice, Llewellyn Hall in Canberra, the Glocke Saal in Bremen, the Megaron in Athens and Thessaloniki. He has a master’s degree at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg and an artist diploma at the Royal College of Music in London. Currently, he is pursuing a doctoral degree at the Royal College; his research focuses on Theodore Antoniou’s piano works.
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