MODERN … CLASSICAL MUSICIANS

Modern … Classical Musicians

Two young musicians, Michalis Stefanakis on piano and Michalis Gennadis on violin, present works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Benjamin Godard, Robert Schumann, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

The two Michalises remain true to classical roots and dare to present chamber music in the multifunctional space PLYFA, addressing an audience with musical curiosity, even if they are not accustomed to classical sounds.

Believing that classical music is neither rigid nor distant, the two musicians perform works from the classical and romantic periods with the hope that their energy will touch the souls of their listeners.

Michalis Stefanakis began studying piano and theory in Heraklion, Crete, and received diplomas in harmony and piano from the Apollo Conservatory and Music Society (class of Patricia Arena). He continued his piano and chamber music studies alongside his law degree in Athens. He earned a piano diploma from the Athens Conservatory (class of Thodoris Tzovanakis) and continues studying under the guidance of Marina Lamprinoudi. He received recognition at the international Van Cliburn competition for amateur pianists in Fort Worth, Texas, in October 2022. Stefanakis is a graduate of the Law School of the University of Athens and the University of Michigan and works as a director in the International Taxation Department at Deloitte in Athens.

Michalis Gennadis began music at a young age, with the violin as his main instrument. He studied in Athens at the National Conservatory, earning his diploma with highest honors, a first prize, and a performance excellence award under the tutelage of Dimitris Angelidis. He has attended seminars with renowned violinist Bartek Niziol and continues his development with internationally acclaimed violinist Giorgos Demertzis, specializing in chamber music. In addition to violin, he studied advanced music theory with Giorgos Minas, earning a Fugue diploma with top honors.

His artistic pursuits have also led him to contemporary music through singing and electric bass, which he studied at the National Conservatory. As a violinist, Gennadis has collaborated with chamber music orchestras, contemporary music ensembles, and appeared as a young artist at festivals in Mezin, France. He teaches violin at the National Conservatory of Ilioupoli and the Attiko Conservatory in Kypseli.

Duration: 80 minutes, including an intermission.