Born in the
Greek island of Syros, Elisabeth Kounalaki began her piano lessons at the age
of five. She made her first public appearance at the age
of eleven by obtaining the first prize at the national “Keti Papaioannou”
competition. For her musical studies at the Athens Conservatory she received
her diploma with “first prize” distinction by unanimous vote. Since then she
has improved her artistic performance by working with famous personalities such
as Yvonne Lefébure in Paris, Yevgeni Malinine and Tatiana Nikolayeva (Academy
of Tours-France master classes), France Clidat, Leon Fleicher and Valery
Sagaidatchny. The main formative influence on her musical development came from
Thérèse Dussaut on three years proficiency courses at the National Conservatory
of Toulouse.
“Great
European Prize” winner (1980): she has also received the medal of honor as the
best Chopin’s works performer at the “Musical July” festival (Paris, 1981). “I
have been very touched by your audition and I feel happy to confirm you how
much pleasure you gave me; your qualities may place you brilliantly among the
greatest artists…” (George Cziffra). During the Maria Callas’ International
Piano Competition (Athens, 1983) she has been remarked by the Japanese producer
Shinkishi Nakajima, who has invited her for a tour throughout
Japan. “A promising young artist… sincere, enchanting interpretation…” (Mainichi
News, Tokyo).
This
experience has been the starting point of an international career, which has
already brought her to Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria, France, Germany and Greece
for concerts with orchestra, chamber music and solo piano recitals, always
being accepted enthusiastically by the musical critics. “Her expression is full
of health, freshness and spirit. Therefore her interpretations are very
personal and the audience is profoundly marked.” (Kathimerini, Athens).
On the other
hand she has already made many radio and television recordings in Greece,
France and Japan. During the 1996-97 concert season she performed concerts with
Tchaikovsky State Orchestra of Moscow conducted by Vladimir Fedosseyev. Her
repertoire expands from Scarlatti and Soler up
to contemporary music. Her interpretations of the complete piano works of the
Greek composer Yorgo Sicilianos are available on CD as well as works of Yorgo
Koumendakis. For the 2004-05 academic year she was visiting tutor in piano
accompaniment at the Musical Studies University of Salonica.
Η σημαντικότερη και πλέον αξιόπιστη ανεξάρτητη εταιρεία σοβαρής μουσικής στην Ελλάδα.
Πατρόκλου 25
Βριλήσσια, Αθήνα
15235
Ελλάδα
© Subways Music / Sophocles Sapounas