Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos and Apollon Ensemble to perform in Taiwan

希臘小提琴家卡瓦科斯率阿波羅樂集來台演出

Concert to feature 4 of Bach's violin concertos


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Greek violinist and conductor Leonidas Kavakos, along with the Apollon Ensemble, is set to present four of Johann Sebastian Bach's violin concertos in Taiwan on Wednesday (Oct. 16).

Kavakos established The Apollon Ensemble in 2022, uniting a group of award-winning Greek musicians. The ensemble's inaugural Asian tour commenced in October.

The concert, "Kavakos, The Apollon Ensemble & Bach," will showcase a program of Johann Sebastian Bach's violin concertos. The order of pieces in this concert will feature a sequence that differs from the ensemble's recorded interpretation.

In the first half, the “Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041,” the “Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042,” and the “Violin Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056R” will be performed. The second half will culminate with the most intricate and complex piece of the set, the “Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052R.”

The concert hall experience is a multi-sensory journey, influenced by factors like the sound system, visuals, atmosphere, and audience reactions, Kavakos explained. Therefore, the most complex “D minor concerto” was chosen to conclude the experience.

Kavakos expressed his excitement about returning to Taiwan in a recent interview. He shared that the pandemic had forced the cancellation of his previous performance, making his visit even more meaningful.

Kavakos explained the one-person-per-part performance style is similar to playing a concerto solo on a keyboard instrument. Each musical line is played by a single musician.

While concertos were typically written for larger ensembles, Bach's era saw performances that more closely resembled this solo approach, Kavakos said. This style allows each part to have equal status, giving these pieces more individuality and freedom of expression.

Leonidas Kavakos is celebrated for his impeccable technique, captivating performances, and deep musicality. He regularly collaborates with the world's leading orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra, performing worldwide.

The Apollon Ensemble, with members including violinists Noe Inui and Alexandros Sakaleros, violist Ilias Livieratos, cellist Timotheos Petrin, double bassist Michalis Semsis, and harpsichordist Iason Marmaras, has performed multiple times in Greece. Earlier this year, the ensemble made a successful debut at the Golden Hall in Vienna.