Upcoming & Highlights
"Rarely have I experienced such musicality"
- Christoph Eschenbach -
about
Katerina Chatzinikolau has made history by being appointed as the first woman Concertmaster of the Athens State Orchestra - An article by "The Greek Herald"
This landmark achievement is a testament to Katerina’s extraordinary talent, dedication, and leadership in the world of classical music.
Katerina Chatzinikolau’s appointment marks a significant milestone not only for her career but also for the Greek classical music community, as she becomes the first woman to hold this prestigious position in any Greek orchestra. Her role as Concertmaster will see her leading the violin section and playing a crucial part in shaping the orchestra’s artistic direction and performance excellence.
In addition to her groundbreaking new role, Katerina is renowned for her exceptional soloist career and numerous acclaimed performances both in Greece and internationally. Her appointment is expected to inspire and empower the next generation of female musicians, fostering greater gender diversity and inclusion in classical music.
highlights
Christmas Concert with ERT State Symphony Orchestra
Katerina performs at the Christmas Concert of ERT together with ERT State Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Michalis Economou at the Megaron Concert Hall Athens.
news
Paganini violin concerto with TSSO
Violinist Katerina Chatzinikolau showing her virtuosity with Paganini's violin concerto no. 1 arranged by F. Kreisler. Together with the Thessaloniki State Orchestra under the baton of Leo McFall they delivered a breathtaking performance.
upcoming concerts
The 2024/25 season began with a bang, featuring electrifying performances of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and Piazzolla’s Four Seasons, culminating in the ERT Christmas Concert at the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens.
Looking ahead to 2025, an exciting lineup of concerts and events awaits:
March 9: Concert at the Musée de la Boverie, Liège
March 13: Recital at the Theocharakis Foundation for Fine Arts & Music, featuring the second cycle of works by French composers
April 5–6: Masterclass at the Halkidonio Academy, Athens
April 18 - 28: China tour 2025
May 10: Concert at the Municipal Theatre Echternach, Luxembourg
May 11: Performance at Château d’Aspelt, Luxembourg
"...a very fine artist who loves to perform for her audience."
- Ariadne Daskalakis -
videos
Katerina is a visionary artist who creates stunning music videos on YouTube, showcasing her extraordinary virtuosity and artistic innovation. Through her original compositions for solo violin, she offers fresh and captivating approaches to classical music, blending technical brilliance with profound creativity.
Her projects often feature collaborations with filmmakers and designers, bringing a cinematic and visually compelling dimension to her performances. These collaborations elevate her music, transforming it into a multi-sensory experience that resonates deeply with audiences.
Katerina’s videos on YouTube and Instagram reach millions of people worldwide, inspiring music lovers with her remarkable talent and dedication to pushing the boundaries of violin artistry. Each performance reflects her passion for redefining what is possible, leaving a lasting impression on viewers everywhere.
music
Clair de lune by C. Debussy and more piano pieces arranged for violin solo by Ryan Peplinski and Katerina Chatzinikolau
Cinematic music for violin from album the Valencia by Peter Cavallo - "Garden of Sorrow" and more
scores & arrangements
Originally a work for full orchestra and choir, the Ode to Joy by Beethoven, Katerina creates a technically demanding violin solo.
Mozart's Queen of the Night - A violin solo of one of the most famous arias capturing its dramatic intensity.
Inspired by Tchaikovsky's lyricism Katerina crafts her own arrangement for violin and piano of June Barcarolle.
Articles & reviews
The award-winning violinist is the first female concertmaster in the Athens State Orchestra.
"An orchestra works hierarchically, otherwise there is chaos", says Katerina. "The concertmaster makes decisions in consultation with the conductor. The ultimate goal is always to improve the orchestra and that in a good working atmosphere. Because these are very good musicians, whom I respect, I always try to find common ground."
This is the last chapter of a long journey, which of course started with a small first step. From Gorgopi to Goumenissa.
"I didn't grow up in a musical family. It happened when I was 4 years old that I saw an orchestra playing on TV. My dad saw me very excited about how I was looking at the screen and asked me if I would like to learn one of the musical instruments. I pointed to the violin.
My village is beautiful, a paradise, but you can't do much. They made the decision to send me to a conservatory in Goumenissa. I believe that every person, every child has a talent, that is, an aptitude for something. But you have to be given the opportunity and have the luck to be able to find it.
When you're young you go with your instinct, you're not yet concerned with the concerns of adults, you do what brings you joy."
Gallery
summer 2024 - full of music
A summer full of music: this is how one would describe this year's summer. I will travel to every corner of Greece for concerts this summer. From the Herodeion to Crete, and from Crete to Lemnos, Syros, Koufonisia, Prespes and Chalki.
My tour begins on June 17 at the inauguration at the historical castle of Mytilene, Lesvos, where I will be performing with pianist Apostolos Palios.
Immediately after on June 19 I am looking forward to playing at the Nikos Kazantzakis museum. For me a dream comes true playing at this place because Kazantzakis is one of the most important Greek writers of the last century.
On June 28 at the Herodeion together with Athens State Orchestra we will perform Ludwig van Beethoven's magnificent Ninth Symphony under the baton of the renowned Estonian-born American conductor Neeme Järvi.
Then, on 21 July, I travel to the Venetian castle in Katalagari in Heraklion, Crete, where together with the Vamos orchestra we will inaugurate the venue and present a programme of works by E. Ysaye and A. Vivaldi.
On 27 July I will be at the 9th Koufonisia Classical Music Festival for a unique recital with the young piano virtuoso Alexia Mouza. The programme includes works by Ysaye, Franck and Poulenc.
August 1st I will find myself in distant Lemnos, at the island's festival/institution, and specifically at the Kournos Music Festival, which will present a programme of three centuries of music in Myrina, in collaboration with the Medina Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man.
On 13 August I travel to Syros for the International Classical Music Festival of Cyclades for a chamber music concert of Shostakovich and Mendelssohn.
Shortly before the grand final of the tour, I participate in the "SONG OF THE EARTH: A spatial performance based on Das Lied von der Erde by Gustav Mahler", as part of the Ministry of Culture's "All Greece is one culture", which will be presented at Agios Achillion in Prespes on 24 and 25 August, under the musical direction of Yorgos Ziavras.
The summer tour closes with a recital for piano and violin on September 8 at the Chalki Music Festival, where Apostolos Palios and I perform works by Poulenc, Corelli, de Falla, and Bartok.
2024 All rights reserved. ®