Lunchtime Recital - Stavros Dritsas (piano)

Programme:

G. Handel / Kempff:

Minuet in G minor, HWV 434

L. v Beethoven:

Sonata no.27 in E minor, op.90

I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck

II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen

F. Chopin:

Barcarolle, op.60

Mazurka op.67 no.4

Mazurka op.63 no.3

Ballade no.3 op.47

No Ticket Required, Free Entry, Retiring Collection, suggested donation £5.

Biography:

Stavros Dritsas is emerging as a compelling and original pianist of the younger generation, with the press describing him as a “prodigious young musician” (La Tercera) and “a distinctive pianist with thoughtfulness, sensitivity and a beautiful sound” (Critics Point). He has performed in recital and as a soloist with orchestras across the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, France, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Cyprus, Latvia, and Russia. Notable venues include the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow, Barbican Centre, Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), Royal Albert Hall, University of Bonn, Olympia Theatre, Palace of the Knights in Antwerp, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, the Latvian National Academy of Music, Rialto Theatre, and Teatro Sperimentale in Ancona.

He has appeared as a soloist with the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra, Covent Garden Chamber Orchestra, Athens Youth Symphony Orchestra, Magna Carta Sinfonia, City of Thessaloniki Symphony Orchestra, Albion Chamber Orchestra, and Sinfonietta Athens. He frequently conducts from the keyboard with the City of London Soloists, of which he is the Founder and Artistic Director. Composed of some of London’s finest young musicians, the ensemble is committed to expanding the reach of classical music through innovative programming and a fresh artistic vision that speaks to today’s multifaceted society.This season also sees engagements with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, and the Greek National Radio Symphony Orchestra (ERT).

Having received awards in piano competitions, Stavros was honoured by the Gina Bachauer International Music Association with the Young Soloist Award. Passionate about chamber music, he collaborates with artists such as internationally acclaimed violinist Yiannis Georgiades and Tchaikovsky Competition winner Narek Hakhnazaryan, and he maintains a strong interest in the works of contemporary Greek and international composers. 2025 marks his recording debut, featuring the complete piano works of British composer Ronald Corp. Off stage, he has recorded Bach, Beethoven, Schubert and Chopin for BBC Radio 3, Greek National Radio’s Third Programme, and Latvian National Radio.

Born in 1996, Stavros studied at the Schola Cantorum in Paris (Diplôme Supérieur) under Agathe Leimoni, the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London (BMus and MMus in Performance) with Lucy Parham, and the Euro Arts Academy with Ilja Scheps. He is currently a scholar and Artist-in-Residence of the Fondation Résonnance in Switzerland, where he receives advanced guidance from Elizabeth Sombart. His studies have been generously supported by the Gina Bachauer International Music Association, Guildhall School, and Henry Wood Trust.

Actively engaged in teaching, he has held positions in chamber music and piano at Athenaeum Conservatoire as well as several institutions in the U.K., gives frequent masterclasses, and his students have already earned distinctions in both national and international piano competitions.

Stavros Dritsas has been part of the artist roster of Talent Unlimited since 2017. He is represented by Athens Management Agency. He currently shares his time between Lausanne and Bonn, where he is an associate artist with the Johannes Wasmuth Gesellschaft.