MUSA 2024
Christos Grimpas (violoncello) studied at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki (prof. D. Patras) and the Universität der Künste in Berlin, further
receiving his postgraduate music degree from the Folkwang Hochschule Essen (class V. Mendelssohn). He has been a member of the Rhineland Youth Orchestra, the International Youth Orchestra and the European Union Youth
Orchestra. Awards include prizes (Pan-Hellenic Competition for Young Soloists 1997, International Chamber Music Competition of HELEXPO 1998) as well as merit scholarships (Music Friends Society of Athens, the “Alexandra Trianti” Trust and the “Alexandros Onasis” Foundation). He has performed as soloist with the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki, the Municipal Orchestra of Thessaloniki, the Municipal Orchestra of Pazardchik, the Sofia Symphony Orchestra, the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Dnipro and Kharkiv philarmonic. He has also recorded with the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra. He currently performs as a regular member of the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki.
He is a founding member of the “Transcription Ensemble” with performances in various international venues such as the Tate Modern in London, the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, the Megaron in Athens etc.
G.E. Lazaridis was born in Thessaoniki – Greece, in 1978. He started to perfom in public as a pianist and composer from the age of 6. Soon after, George Emmanuel Lazaridis embarked on a flourishing international career with his interpretations being characterized as «special enough to be beyond comparison» (BBC Music Magazine, Adrian jack), and ‘of such drama, power and concentration that it holds its own, even when you stop to consider tirelessly celebrated recordings by Horowitz, Argerich, Brendel and Zimmerman (Gramophone Music Magazine, Bryce Morrison). Today, G.E.Lazaridis is internationally acclaimed as a piano soloist of the highest standard, a versatile composer with a unique musical language and cross-genre aspirations, as well as a sought after mentor with inspiring teaching skills. As a successful Artistic Director of the Thessaloniki Concert Halls Organization since 2010, Lazaridis is renowned for his great experience in designing, creating and leading various cultural institutions & communities, in Greece and beyond.