Photo by: Chehalis Hegner
Composer-Classical Guitarist
Associate Professor of Music
Berklee College of Music
FB 136, 1140 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
U.S.A.
contact me
| Photo by: Chehalis Hegner |
Apostolos
Paraskevas, BMI Composer-Classical Guitarist Associate Professor of Music Berklee College of Music FB 136, 1140 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02215 U.S.A. contact me |
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Composer, guitarist Apostolos Paraskevas (BMI) is a recorded and published artist and a Grammy Award nominee (D. Starobin/Bridge/ '98) is definitely a musician not unfamiliar with the contemporary music scene. During the past ten years, he commissioned more than 50 composers around the world and he has premiered/performed and recorded guitar concertos by Theodore Antoniou, Vuk Kulenovic, Alex Kalogeras, Joseph Diermaier, Anthony de Ritis, Thomas McGah, as well as his own works performing with professional orchestras and in major halls around the world Some of his reviews mention: "The compositions of Apostolos Paraskevas express deep currents of feeling with mythical colors and motifs. As a performer Paraskevas is a master at evoking the images and moods of the music; this talent is exploited exquisitely in performing his own compositions". Fanfare magazine described him as “ an amazingly versatile guitarist and for his CD Visions of Azure “...a wonderful and essential guitar CD”. Classical Guitar magazine wrote: “Apostolos Paraskevas is a genuine innovator, a young and highly gifted musician..." and Acoustic Guitar wrote that “Paraskevas' own compositions, are adventurous, attractive, and well constructed; his readings of Latin American works are intelligent and expressive and his playing makes challenging pieces accessible and intriguing. Described by his mentor Lukas Foss as an "extremely gifted guitarist-composer," Paraskevas has won acclaim for his guitar concertos, ...Phygein Adynaton..., commissioned by the Athens Concert Hall, "Lament for the Balkans" and "The Life of Death" which have been praised as "highly imaginative in their orchestration and programmatic conception, with an impressive guitar part." (Classical Guitar Magazine). Richard Knisely of Live Performances, WGBH Boston exclaimed, "Amazing technique, his compositions graphically told, specialist in the guitar music of the 20th century." In 1995 Paraskevas made his New York debut performing a program of contemporary guitar music at Carnegie Hall by invitation from the Onassis Center. That year he also premiered his guitar concerto ...Phygein Adynaton... at the Athens Concert Hall under the direction of Theodore Antoniou with the Greek Orchestra of Contemporary Music; he executed the guitar solo for this performance and for those at the Third International Guitar Congress-Festival in Corfu and at the Society of Composers, Inc. 1997 National Conference in Florida. His most recent performances include concerto premieres by Theodore Antoniou’s guitar concerto at the Guitar Congress/Corfu, Alexandros Kalogeras with the Hingham Symphony Orchestra, Joseph Diermeir’s with ALEA III, his own flute and guitar concerto with ALEA III, and his work “Lament for the Balkans” for guitar, mezzo and strings last July at the V Corfu Congress/Festival. In January 2001 his piece Night Wanderings was performed at Carnegie Hall with the National Festival Orchestra under the direction of Lukas Foss. In February 2001 Mr. Paraskevas joined ALEA III in Boston in the premiere of his fourth guitar concerto. During the months of June and July 2001 Mr. Paraskevas performed his Third and Fourth guitar concertos with members of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra in Cyprus and at the VI International Guitar Congress of Corfu. Born in Volos/Greece, Paraskevas holds a doctorate, D.M.A. in composition from Boston University. Other academic centers where he has previously studied include the Philharmonia Conservatory in Volos (Teaching Diploma, highest honors); the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba; and the Modern Conservatory in Salonica (Artist Diploma, highest honors). Lukas Foss (USA), Theodore Antoniou (Greece), Leo Brouwer (Cuba) were teachers who had a major influence on his music. Paraskevas' compositions include works for chamber orchestra, concertos, symphonic pieces, vocal works, works for solo instruments, and electronic music. His works and performances have been broadcast on WGBH Boston's Morning Pro Musica and Live Performances, National Public Radio New York's Performance Today, as well as National Radio in Greece, Russia (Moscow), Cuba, Denmark, and Hungary; in more than 700 solo recitals in the USA, Greece, England, Germany, Canada, Italy, Thailand, France, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Portugal, Cuba, Hungary, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia; and as a soloist with such orchestras as the New England Conservatory Orchestra, the Newton Symphony Orchestra, the Hellenic Contemporary Orchestra, Florida International University Symphony Orchestra, Hingham Symphony Orchestra, National Festival Orchestra, BU Symphony Orchestra, Atlantic Chamber Orchestra, Cyprus State Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Guitar Congress/Corfu, ALEA III, Berklee Wind Ensemble, and the New Music Ensemble of Boston University. He has extensive teaching experience and has participated as teacher, composer, and performer in such Festivals as the International Festival of Volos (Greece), Bath International Festival (England), International Guitar Festival of Havana (Cuba), International Guitar Festival of Eztergom (Hungary), 8th Guitar Symposium of Iserlohn/Germany, The Hamptons Music Festival, GFA International Convention (USA), International Guitar Congress (Greece), Andres Segovia Festival of the Boston Guitar Society (USA), Acadia Guitar Festival (Canada), National Guitar Workshop (USA), and the Music Festival of Varadero (Cuba), LiGiTa Music Festival (Liechtenstein) among others.. Paraskevas' awards include: Grammy Nomination, Bridge Records/D. Starobin/1998, First Prize in the 2000 “Lukas Foss International Composition Competition”; First prize in the 1996 Composition Competition of the Greek Union of Conservatories (advanced category), Winner of the 1997 “Call for Scores” National Composers Conference (SCI), First Prize at the “I. Papaioanou” Composition Competition (Greece) 1997; Honorary Diploma for the Arts from the Palacio de Junco (Cuba) for his artistic activity; Honorary Diploma, 1991 Guitarist of the Year from the Greek National Center for Music Studies for his concert entitled Sound Show; the Red Cross Diploma for his artistic contribution; Finalist in the 1994 ALEA Composition Competition; Grants from the American Music Center, the Massachusetts Cultural Center and the Award for Artists and Writers by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In addition to the Athens Concert Hall, some of his commissions are from the Augustine Foundation/David Starobin, BATH Music festival, Hellenic Radio Television Berklee Wind Ensemble, Iserlohn Guitar Symposium, Hellenic Composers Association, David Starobin, Tantalus Guitar Quartet and ALEA III. Apostolos Paraskevas is the founder/Artistic Director of the International Guitar Congress-Festival in Greece/Corfu and a member of the Hellenic Association of Composers. His works have been published by Santerelle Verlag/Germany, Papagrigoriou-Nakas Music Publications, Clear Note Publications and his performances and compositions can been heard on Centaur, Bridge Records and Clear Note Publications. Currently A.P is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music and Composer in Residence at Northeastern University in Boston. After Night Wanderings' premiere at Carnegie Hall with the National Festival Orchestra, few months later two of his guitar concertos were presented with him as soloist and had their NY premiere at Carnegie Hall/Weill Hall in June 2002 in a sold out concert. In July 2003 he performed his Third Guitar concerto at the Hamptons Music Festival with Lukas Foss conducting the Atlantic Chamber Orchestra. Two orchestral pieces “Ephatha” (2003) and "The Other Land"/2007 (commissioned by the Athens Concert Hall) had their premiere in Athens with Theodore Antoniou conducting the Hellenic Music Ensemble. Most recent performances of his guitar concertos were in Odessa/Kiev in Ukraine and St. Petersburg in Russia with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra, with the Thessaloniki Municipal Symphony Orchestra in Greece, and the Orpheus Ensemble in Fresno/USA.He just released three new CD's with Clear Note Publications, The Garden Of Eden, Laments for solo Guitar and Night Wanderings which includes guitar concertos and symphonic music with Lukas Foss conducting. In 2007 Berben Publications in Italy published two orchestral works by A.P (Constitution Article 91, The Daedalus and Ikaros Journey) and his 24 Studies for the Guitar. His latest Quartet "A Feast for Tantalus" was premiered last August in Germany (Iserlohn Festival) by the Tantalus quartet and was published by Clear Note Publications. Short Bio Apostolos Paraskevas is Grammy-nominated composer and guitarist. Classical Guitar Magazine/London acknowledged him as the only guitarist ever to have a major orchestral piece performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall and the international press as the only musician who performed there in a Grim Reaper’s outfit! Dr. Paraskevas, a Lukas Foss protégé of the early 90's has being for decades a multi-published and recording artist. Major publishers: Berben/Italy, Clear Note/USA, Centaur and Bridge Records, Santerrelle Verlag/Germany, and PaNas/Greece. He received five First Prizes in International Composition Competitions and is the founder and Artistic Director for 16 years of the International Guitar Congress/Corfu/Greece. He is an Associate Professor of Composition at Berklee College of Music. |
C.V.
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CV Summary
Degrees:
Doctoral
in Music Arts/composition/Boston University, Artist Diploma
in
guitar performance Modern Conservatory/Salonica/ Greece Teaching Experience: 1983-1991 Professor of Music/Philharmonia Conservatory of Music/National Center of Music Studies, 1993-1998 Boston University/Teaching Fellow/Theory and performing courses, 1999, 2000 Northeastern University, Lecturer in Composition and Theory, 2001 Berklee College of Music, Assistant Professor Prizes:
First Prize "Lukas Foss" Composition Competition 2000/USA,
Awards:
Grammy Nomination /in Newdance- Bridge Records/Chase Dance for guitar,
American Academy of Arts and Letters, Mass. Cultural Council, National
Honor Music Society, American Music Center Published
Works:
by Chanterelle Verlag/ Germany, Berben/Italy
Nakas-Papagrigoriou/Greece, Clear Note Publications/ USA
Premiere Performances: Carnegie Hall/New York, Weill Hall, Tsai Performance Center/Boston, FIU Symphony Orchestra/Miami/Florida, ALEA III, International Music Symposium/ Iserlohn. Germany, Music Congress-Festival/Corfu, Greece, Israel - Hellenic Institute, Bath Music Festival, England, National Radio of Moscow, National Radio of Havana/Cuba Major Compositions: Orchestral works / "Concerto for flute and violin", "Constitution Article 91"- Concerto for guitar and flute, "Concerto for Strings", "Concerto for narrator, guitar and voice", "Lament for the Balkans"-guitar and String Orchestra, " Night Wanderings", for orchestra, "...Phygein Adynaton...", Guitar Concerto , "Zenith" for large Orchestra, "Piano Concerto" Commentary:
"...musical, sensitive, intelligent. His music is sensitive, lively,
dramatic
and brilliant...a young extremely gifted composer...a formidable
talent.
I know he will succeed." Related Professional Activities: 1992- present Artistic Director and founder of the International Music Congress-Festival, (Greece) which promotes music of the 20/21 Century. Curriculum Vitae Degrees D.M.A in
Music Composition,
May 1998, Boston University, Boston/USA Major Teachers Composition
- Lukas
Foss, Theodore Antoniou, Guitar - Leo Brouwer U.S.A.
CUBA
GREECE
HUNGARY
Dissertation
Abstract: Berklee
College of
Music 2005,
Associate Professor of Music Northeastern
University Boston
University Boston
College Modern
Conservatory
of Salonica Philharmonia
Conservatory
of Volos Additional Teaching Experience -Composition lecture and lecture on creativity in composition. National Guitar Workshop Milford, CT, July 2007-Composion Lecture on orignal works, Florida State University, May 2007 -The Deafening Silence, lecture about John Cage, Berklee College of Music, January 2007 -Composion Lecture on orignal works, Berklee College, October 2006 -Composion Lecture on original works, 2nd Acadia Guitar Festival. Canada/July 2006 -Fresno Guitar Panorama, Guitar and composition, April 2006 -Thailand Guitar Festival, Bangkok, October 2005, Guitar master class -University of New Mexico, Guitar Master class, composition seminar -Russian Creative Union of Cultural Workers, St. Petersbutg, Lectures on composition and performance of original compositions, January 2005 - Institute of Culture and Arts, Kiev/Ukraine, composition seminar, October 2004 -University of Austin/Texas, Guitar Master class, composition seminar-Ukrainian Union of Composers in Kiev, composition seminar -2004, Berklee College of Music, Composition Seminar -2003, Corfu Music Festival, Composition Seminar -2002, Guitar repertoire and Performance Seminar, Berklee College of Music -2001, Extended techniques for performers and composers, VI International Corfu Congress -2000-2001, Phillips Academy/Exeter NH -1999, Berklee College of Music, Lecture at the composition department on original compositions -1999, Lecture, Composing Guitar Concertos, V International Guitar Congress/Corfu/Greece -1999, Philosophy in Music. A new approach in performing and composing, 8 International Music Symposium/Iserlohn/Germany -1996-97, Improvisation course/ Music Theory, 20 century Music, Cambridge School/ Weston, MA -1987-1990, Improvisation in music- Master-Classes, International Guitar Festival of Volos -1993, Lecture on the subject "Music in the Americas" and "Guitar Music in the U.S.A.", International Music Congress-Festival(Greece) -1992, Master-classes and lecture on the subject "The Art of Memorization", International Music Congress-Festival/Corfu -1995, Bridgewater State College, MA, guitar master-classes -1995, Lecture on the subject "Memory Problems", International Music Congress- Festival/Corfu -1995, Lecture on the subject " Vox Ballaenae" Music by G. Crumb, Boston University, -Composition Department -1995, Lecture on the subject " Brahms Second Symphony", Boston University, Composition Department -1996, Performance and Composition, Master-class, Crete (Greece), Thalitas Hall -1996, Lecture on the subject " The Art of Memorization", Boston University, Music Education , Performance class -1998, Performance Lecture "20 Century Music", Boston University -1998, Performance Lecture "100 years Guitar Music", Northeastern University, MA -1995-98, Seminars on the subjects "Contemporary Music in the USA", Music of John Cage", -"Music after 1950", Conservatory of Volos (Greece), " Twenty additional Master-classes in schools, conservatories and colleges in the subjects of 20 Century Music , 20 century American Music, Contemporary Analysis, Orchestration. 2000, First Prize at the "Lukas Foss" Composition Competition - MID America Productions, for the work "Night Wanderings" for orchestra. New York Premiere at Carnegie Hall. 1997, First prize at the "I. Papaioanou" Composition Competition - Hellenic Association of Composers for the work "Love Works" for soprano and chamber orchestra. 1996, First prize-Award presentation of "...Phygein Adynaton..." at the 1997 National Conference of Composers in Florida- Miami (USA), from the Society of Composers Inc. 1996, First prize in the advance category for the work Lamentation for flute, Greek Composition Competition ( Association of Conservatories). 1994, Finalist in the "ALEA III International Composition Competition", organized by Boston University and ALEA III, professional performing arts ensemble, for the work "Invocation" for oboe and guitar. 1991, the "Red Cross Diploma" from the Greek Red Cross for his artistic contribution 1991, "Composer/Performer of the Year 1991" from the National Center of Music Studies (Greece), for "Sound-Show" Concert that took place in Greece. (Volos, Instituto of France, January 1991) 1988, "Honor Diploma for the Artists" of Palacio de Junco (Cuba), for artistic activity 1984,
"Prize for the
Best Interpretation of 20 Century Music", in the 8 International Guitar
Festival of Volos (Greece). 2005, Recording from Berklee College of Music for “Laments” 2005, Grant from the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts/Corfu Guitar Congress 2005, Grant from the American embassy in Athens for Organizing Corfu festival 2004, Berklee College of Music, Travel Grant for Odessa Guitar Festival 2003, Grant from the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts/Corfu Guitar Congress 2003, Berklee College of Music, Travel Grant for Corfu Festival 2002, Berklee College of Music, Travel Grant for Carnegie Hall concert/June 2001, Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for music composition 1999, In NEWDANCE/Bridge Records/Nomination for Grammy Award/, A.P "Chase Dance" 2000, Grant from the American Music Center, Margaret Fairbank Jory 1999, Grant from the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts/Corfu Guitar Congress 1998, Fund for Artists and Writers/American Academy of Arts and Letters 1998, National Honor Music Society/USA 1997, Grant from the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts/Corfu Guitar Congress 1997, Nomination from the American Academy of Arts and Letters 1996-97, Fellowship, Boston University, Music Department 1996, Nomination from the American Academy of Arts and Letters for the "C. Ives" award 1995, Grant from the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts/Corfu Guitar Congress 1995 -97, Lukas Foss' assistant, Boston University, Department of Theory and Composition 1995, Teaching fellowship, Boston University, Music Department 1994, Teaching fellowship, Boston University, Music Department 1993, Graduate Assistanship, Boston University, Music Dept. 1993,"Gerontelis Foundation" Scholarship 1992,"Eleni Gatzoyannis" Scholarship 1988-1990, Fellowship from Modern Conservatory of Salonica (Greece) 1979-1983, Scholarship from Philharmonia Conservatory of Volos (Greece) Commissions 2007, ID-Ego-Super Ego, for guitar, Clear Note Publications 2006, The Other Land, Athens Concert Hall 2006, A Feast for Tantalus. Tantalus guitar quartet 2006 A Night With the Aristocrats,, for soprano Sax, Guitar and String Orchestra, University of California at Fresno 2005 “The Aristocrats”, for clarinet and guitar, Peter Cokkinias, Berklee College of Music 2003 "Moiroloi" - For Harpsichord and Mezzo Soprano Conservatory N. Mantzaros 2002 " Open up" -"Ephata", for chamber orchestra, Athens Concert Hall (Greece) 2002 "The Depressing Aspect", for nine clarinets, Berklee Clarinet Choir/Peter Cokkinias 2002 "Rush Time", for two pianos, Rivers School of Music 2001 "The Life of Death" Concerto No 4 guitar, narrator, soprano, ALEA III/Boston 2000 "Scenes from the Life of Death", solo guitar LiGiTa Music Festival, Liechtenstein 1999 "I Didn't Do It!", Iserlohn Music festival/ Germany 1999 "Lament for the Balkans", Corfu Contemporary Festival/Greece 1997 "Constitution Article 91", Concerto for flute and guitar, ALEA III/Boston 1998 "Concerto for Strings", Solisti di Patras, String Orchestra/Hellenic Composers Association 1996 " The Chase Dance " for guitar, Augustine Foundation, Bath Festival/(England) 1996 " Night Wanderings " for orchestra, 3 Radio program,Greece 1995 "..Phygein Adynaton..." Concerto for guitar and orchestra, Athens Concert Hall (Greece) 1995 "Nadir" for prepared guitar, International Guitar Congress (Greece) 1995 "Lamentation", for flute, Boston Conservatory/Boston 1993 "Neoptolemos", String Quartet, Harvard Musical Club, Boston 1988 "Wishes for a Beautiful Life" for guitar, International Guitar Festival of Volos/Greece published by Ch. Nakas - C.Papagrigoriou- Music Publications/Greece/Chanterelle Verlag/ Germany, Clear Note Publications/USA, Berben/Italy 1986, "Wishes for a Beautiful Life" for guitar 1988, "Etudes I" for guitar 1989, "X Sketches" for guitar 1992, "Conversations" for flute and double bass 1992, " Monologue" for solo flute 1992, " Slave Story" for solo guitar 1993, "Invocation" for oboe and guitar 1993, "Neoptolemos", for String Quartet 1994, "Nadir" for guitar 1995, "...Phygein Adynaton...", 1st guitar Concerto 1995, "Lamentation?", for Flute, 1996, "The Chase Dance", for Guitar, published by Chanterelle Verlag/Germany 1997, Escape, for guitar/ Guitarissimo Publications/Sweden 1997, "Anavasis", for piano 1999, "Lament for the Balkans", for guitar, soprano and strings 2000, "Three Correspondences", for two flutes 2001 "Rush Time", for two pianos 1997 "Hope", for soprano and piano 1993 "The Silver Swan", for soprano and piano 1995 "The Daedalus and Ikaros Journey" for voice and guitar 2001 "The Daedalus and Ikaros Journey" for voice and guitar and strings, Berben /Italy 2000 'The Life of Death" Guitar concerto 1999 "Lament for the Balkans", Guitar Concerto 1996 "Night Wanderings" for Orchestra 2002 "The Depressing Aspect" for nine clarinets 2000 "Scenes from the Life of Death" for solo guitar, Chanterelle Verlag/Germany2005, 2004 "Something to Sing About", Voice and guitar, Clear Note/USA 2005 "A Simple Life and Some Tea Please...", violin and guitar, Clear Note Publications/USA 2005 The Garden of Eden. Clear Note Publications/USA 2005 Tell my wife…, Clear Note Publications/USA 2006 24 Studies for the Guitar”, Berben editions/ Italy 2005 13 Laments by Berklee Composers Clear Note Publications/USA 2006 The Aristocrats, for clarinet and guitar, Clear Note Publications/USA 2007 A Feast for Tantalus , for guitar quartet , Clear Note/ USA 2007 Concerto for Flute and Guitar, Berben editions/ Italy 2007 The Daedalus and Ikaros Journey, Berben editions/ Italy "...musical, sensitive, intelligent. His music is sensitive, lively, dramatic and brilliant...a young extremely gifted composer...a formidable talent. I
know he will
succeed." ...I
believe that he
is one of those great artists who could mean a lot for Greek music and
music in general." (Slave
Story
by A. Paraskevas)"...his performance and work stimulated
the
attention." "Constitution
Article
91 is a real tour de force for the soloists. In this colorful
work,
Apostolos Paraskevas shows us that a meeting point can be found between
advanced contemporary idioms and evocations of an almost popular
style. This music is notable for its rhythmic verve, its melodic
grace, and its emotional depth. It has genuine substance, but
speaks
directly to the listener-a rare and welcome achievement."
"...Amazing
technique,
his compositions graphically told, specialist in the guitar
music of the 20 century..." "...Dr. Paraskevas, is an amazingly versatile guitarist. He conquers the many technical challenges of this repertoire with ease, he can sing with the purest tone (try the opening work, Alfonsina y el Mar, and see). What makes Visions of Azure a wonderful guitar CD rather than simply a good one is the last 18 minutes. The guitarist saves his own compositions for last, and if the ear is fatigued at this point in the recital. Paraskevas gives it good reason to wake up....I am sold on Paraskevas's playing, and do not think hunting down the alternatives is necessary. In short, this is an essential CD for those interested in modern classical guitar". Fanfare/January/February 2000/Raymond Tuttle "Thousand-stringed guitar"The Second International Guitar Festival "Odessa Guitar Autumn" was an amazing music celebration, which showed us all the shades of guitar musicianship, all the potentialities of this instrument, considered to be just "popular" and actually sounding like the whole orchestra. In the three concert series Apostolos Paraskevas (Greece-USA), a laureate of international competitions, was the first to perform. Despite other brilliant musicians performed after him he stays a "number one" in our list. The young musician is very talented - he plays amazingly and he plays his own music being not only a kind of works every learnt musician could make up, but very original and full of context - we have met a really outstanding composer! His concerto for guitar and chamber orchestra "The Life in Death" (performed with the Chamber Orchestra of Odessa Philharmonia conducted by Arkadiy Pevtsov) is a proof to that. Its second movement ironically named "Visiting children playground² was saturated with alarming tones and sharp exclamations... The rhythmic attack suddenly coming and the counter-bass being used as a drum. It seems to be us frolicking on our planet. And the third movement, "Sad feelings After the Visit, What A life², is really insanely sad. Some isles of harmony appear - and then fall to ruin at once (the death is working!). At the finale the guitar and a violin speak with truly human voices - and everything is broken down by the final exclamation of the guitar... Other pieces - "Soldier Story², "Slave Story" were also very remarkable. Il'ya Reyderman About a performance of John Cage’s 4’: 33’ I was dying man, but once I heard the celestial interpretation of yours, all intimations of death's wings were spread far and farther from the specter of the daemonic possibility. Encore - bravo on a perforated performance that was liberating and soulful not to mention with tendrils of our ancient art that will propel us into the future. Bravo on the Cage performance, phrasing, style, timing, élan, seriousness of purpose, coordination, beauty of sonority, balance, etc. Were all 1st class! Charles Zachary Bornstein, Leonard Bernstein Scholar in Residence of the New York Philharmonic A Simple Life and Some Tea Please In just two pages of music of only 26 bars paraskevas shows how to write skilful, engaging and entertaining music in a brief space. Is a tonal work (for violin and guitar) with a touch of drama to it and has a overall melanchly disposition surrounding it; is also shows the composer’s Greek traditional background at times. Steven Marsh/Classical Guitar Magazine, March 2007 "The Evening Odessa" November 9, 2004 http://vo.od.ua/article/291 The Garden of Eden: This is a programmatic work based upon the biblical tale of the Garden of Eden with five separate parts to it - Life , Adam and Eve, Serpent, The Voice of the Lord God, East of Eden's Garden. Although each part is only two pages in length, Paraskevas has crammed in so much interesting material in every page that each one easily stands on its own merit and although the composer states that any of these sections could be performed separately it would be sacrilege to not perform the work as a whole. This is an exciting new publication full of many twists and turns both rhythmically and melodically and could be one of the outstanding parts of any recital. The technical requirements are high - grade 8+ - but the rewards are high too.
Steven Marsh/Classical Guitar
Magazine, September 2003 Apostolos
Paraskevas strikes an almost apologetic tone in describing his duo for
guitar and violin, A
Simple Life and Some Tea Please. He describes this little
gem, composed as a birthday gift for a friend, as “tonal oriented and
to a great extent different than my original composition language…” and
filled with “…nostalgic romanticism with some Greek character…” and
concludes the description with “…well after all it is a birthday
present…” Having heard the composer in recital, his description
of the piece as being significantly different than the rest of his
compositional output is spot on, but no apologies necessary. "...Greek
guitarist
and composer Apostolos Paraskevas specializes in 20th-century music for
the guitar. Visions of Azure features works by contemporary Latin
American
and French composers as well as a number of Paraskevas' own
compositions,
which are adventurous, attractive, and well constructed. His readings
of
Latin American works, particularly Antonio Lauro's "Suite Venezolana,"
are intelligent and expressive. His performance of French composer
Roland
Dyens' Latin-tinged "Tango en Skai" also stands out. Paraskevas has a
gift
for bringing out the overall form of larger works like Francis
Kleynjans'
"A L'Aube du Dernier Jour." His playing throughout makes these
challenging
pieces accessible and intriguing. (Centaur) The Life of Death by Apostolos Paraskevas …employ a tonally focused yet dissonant harmonic language, and show predilection for a dramatic ethos (with Paraskevas’ entry employing overtly theatric effects). Give Paraskevas credit for refusing to fall into the trap of writing a spineless guitar concerto in the manner of Ponce or Rodrigo. Both soloist and ensemble performed well. Composer- Guitarist Paraskevas attacked his solo part with youthful gusto and able finger technique and Theodore Antoniou conducted with care and effectiveness. Alea III. New Directions Now. February 7, Tsai Performance Center, Boston University, Boston, MA. New Directions Now DAVID CLEARY "...A new
guitar concerto
(composed and performed by Apostolos Paraskevas)...highly
imaginative
in its orchestration, with an impressive guitar part." Classical Guitar/England//November 1995, October 1997,September 1999 (Visions of
Azure) Slave
Story His music
contributes
so much to the classical guitar 20 century repertory; it is
confident, even fearless and sounds so well under his own fingers..."
"Apostolos
Paraskevas
Chase Dance(for guitar) serves as a virtuoso conclusion, with
propulsive
rhythms and fascinating modal harmonies". "...Apostolos
Paraskevas
captured his audience with his guitar concerto, 'Phygein
Adynaton'...brilliant
performance, top class technique...and his concerto a master-piece."
Corfu Vima/July 18, 1999 "...a
talented young
man, who unfolds his wings and flies over New York, for a Carnegie Hall
recital...we will be there to enjoy the magic of his music.."
"...The Guitar Congress - Festival (Greece -Corfu), (organized by Apostolos Paraskevas), is a splendidly varied and stimulating Festival...so many wonderful artists, the remarkable number of gifted composers present, the sense of joy in life and art shared by both faculty and students, and the sheer beauty of the landscape, make this an unforgettable and inspiring occasion. It is to be hoped that more students from outside Greece will take advantage of this great Festival to refresh their musicality, widen their artistic horizons and gain new friendships."
C. G Magazine/England/ (November
'95) Related Professional Activities -1992-present
Artistic
Director and founder of the International Music Congress-Festival,
(Greece)
that promotes music of the 20 Century and each year attracts more
than 600 artists from around the world. 1140 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128 Greg Fritze, Chair composition Department, Berklee College of Music 1140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215 Theodore Antoniou, Professor of Music, Composer-Conductor, 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston University/SFA, MA 02215 Tel: 617/353-9551 Carlos Piantini, Conductor, Director of Orchestral Studies at FIU FIU School of Music, University Park Campus, Wertheim Performing Arts Center, Miami, Florida 33199 Tel: (305) 348-2896 David Starobin, Professor of Music/ Manhattan School of Music/Bridge Records, 200 Clinton Avenue, New Rochellel 10801 NY Tel: 914-654-9270 Mark DeVoto, Professor of Music, Tufts University, 20 Professors Row, Music Department, Medford, MA 02155 Tel: 781/627-3967 http://www.bu.edu/alumni/bostonia/2004/spring/profiles/paraskevas/
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