George Kontogiorgos - Guitar Works (Pavlos Kanellakis)

Information

Composer: George Kontogiorgos

• Sea Vespers
• Cansonata
• Elegy 1980
• Kaleidoscope
• Emotions

Pavlos Kanellakis, guitar

Vangjel Nina, cello (Cansonata)

Date: 2020

Label: Naxos

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Review

Greek guitarist Pavlos Kanellakis is the soloist on Kaleidoscope, a recital of world-premiere recordings of works by George Kontogiorgos (Naxos 8.579084). The music is essentially tonal and very accessible.

The five-movement Sea Vespers from 2015 takes melodies from the composer’s songs from the 1960s and 1970s. Kanellakis is joined by cellist Vangjel Nina in the four-movement Cansonata from 2014. Elegy was written in 1980 and revised for Kanellakis in 2006 when Kontogiorgos was writing the commissioned guitar suite that gives the CD its title, the four-movement Kaleidoscope consisting of multi-coloured fragments that shift and dance as if viewed through a kaleidoscope.

The darker Emotions from 2018 completes a recital of performances that can be considered definitive, Kanellakis having worked closely with the composer.

— Lesley Mitchell-Clarke

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George Kontogiorgos (born 1945 in Lamia) is a Greek composer and musician. He studied advanced music theory under Alekos Aenian and began his career in the 1960s–70s, composing over 70 popular songs while working extensively as an arranger and conductor. From 1980 onward, he focused on classical composition, producing works for solo instruments, chamber ensembles and orchestras. Kontogiorgos has received notable awards, and his music has been performed internationally by prominent ensembles and soloists. His works have been released on Naxos, Phasma, Sarton, Irida, Lyra and Zodiac Records.

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Pavlos Kanellakis is a Greek classical guitarist who was born in Athens and studied with Elena Papandreou and later at the Musik Akademie Basel under Oscar Ghiglia. He completed his PhD in Ireland under John Feeley. Kanellakis has won multiple international competition prizes and performed widely across Europe. He collaborated extensively with composer Nikos Mamangakis, recording much of his guitar work, and has worked with renowned artists such as Gidon Kremer. He has recorded for major labels and teaches in Ireland and Switzerland. He is also the author of the guitar method book The Classical Guitar Journal.

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