When: November 20, 2023 | 20:30
Where: Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall (“Giannis Marinos Hall)

The recital is under the auspices of the Frances Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts in the context of the “ACG 100 years in Greece” celebrations.

About the event

The young pianist and distinguished Deree graduate Vasileios Gavvaris is making his debut recital entitled “Heroism and Pathos” at Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall (“Giannis Marinos Hall”) on Monday, November 20, at 20:30. He will be performing a selection of technically and emotionally demanding works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Boulanger, and Theodorakis.

A musical journey featuring compositions distant in time, connected by shared values. A common heroic journey from darkness to light, from struggle to glory, in search of a heroic figure, with “heroism and pathos.”

If you would like to purchase tickets or learn more about the event, select here.

Bio of the Pianist

Vasileios Gavvaris is a 22-year-old Greek Cypriot pianist. He holds a B.A. in Music Performance (Summa Cum Laude/ First Class Honours) from Deree-The American College of Greece, studying under the supervision of Dr. Tatiana Papageorgiou, with whom he has also completed the Piano Soloist’s Diploma with the grade of “Excellent Unanimously and First Prize” from the Athens Panarmonio Conservatory. He has been the recipient of the “Frances Rich Scholarship” and the “Music Scholarship” of the School of Fine and Performing Arts based on his excellent academic performance. He started playing the piano at the age of 13 under the instruction of Maria Velmachou at the National Conservatory of Sparta, where he grew up.

Vasileios has participated in several national and international piano competitions. Among his most important distinctions are the 1st Prize at the Felouris Music Competition, the 2nd and the 3rd Prize at the Piano Competitions of the Filonas Music Association, the 2nd Prize at the Chaerogiorgou-Sigara Piano Competition, at the Athens Megaron, a Merit Award at the Unesco TLEE Piano Competition, and an Honorable Mention at the Montecatini International Piano Competition. He has also been granted an award for his artistic excellence and ethos by the Sainopoulos Foundation. He was recently awarded the Outstanding Graduating Student Award for Music Performance (C.I.:3.97 Summa Cum Laude).

He has actively participated in numerous piano masterclasses in Greece and European music academies, such as The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland and the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, given by Andrzej Jasiński, Dr. Tamás Ungár, Staffan Scheja, Peter Nagy, Dimitris Toufexis, Jean-Louis Steuerman, Janis Vakarelis, Piotr Oczkowski, Dr. Christine Tokatlian, Elena Mouzala, Dr. Lorenda Ramou, Elena Christodoulou, and Prodromos Symeonides.

He has performed on various occasions at the premises of The American College of Greece, as well as in events at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall, the Theocharakis Foundation, the Acropolis of Ancient Sparta, the Pierce Theatre, the Parnassos Concert Hall, the Lilian Voudouri Musical Library, and other venues in Greece. He has also appeared as a soloist in the Athens PianoCity Festival, the Gina Bachauer Festival in Athens, and the Akademifestivalen Stockholm. Apart from his solo performances, he has worked with chamber music ensembles and as a vocal accompanist. For the past two years, he was the piano accompanist and assistant of the ACG Community Choir as part of the work-study program at Deree.

He holds an Advanced Harmony Diploma from the National Conservatory of Greece, and he has practiced extensively Greek traditional percussion instruments, having performed in important venues, such as the Athens Concert Hall and the Herodes Atticus Theater.

During his studies at Deree, he has been an active member of the Music Society, serving as the President working towards organizing musical and educational activities for the community. He has been awarded the Outstanding Member Award and Community Service Award for his vision and contribution.

Vasileios is currently auditioning for master’s programs in piano performance abroad while completing his final thesis and internship in Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens.