8th Kalamata International Music Days

The Kalamata International Music Days return to our city from August 26th, 2024, to September 10th, 2024. In this context, the original programme of the 8th Festival was announced! Providing a common stage and roof, as well as joint concerts based on a collaboration of international and local artists, the 8th edition of the Festival embraces the concept of pluralism, draws attention to musical contrasts and strives to animate an extensive exchange of artistic ideas. The pairing of instrumental and vocal ensembles, the contrast of musical genres and traditions, as well as the collaboration of musicians who – under other circumstances – would be unlikely to have had the opportunity to work together emphasises the universality of the musical language and aims to shape new shared experiences of artists and audiences.

Opening Concerts

The Festival begins with the solo of Queyras, the work "Snowmen" in a world premiere, the Muses–Froschhammer concert and the student violin and piano masterclasses concert.

Wednesday, 28.08.2024 - 20:00

Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata – ADMISSION 10/5 €

Love triangle

Music by Brahms and Schumann

Alexia Mouza – piano & Felix Froschhammer – violin

"There is only Mrs. Schumann to whom I am devoted soul and body."

Johannes Brahms

Admiration, friendship, and possibly infidelity are the ingredients that make up the most fascinating trio of personalities in classical music: Brahms and the Schumanns. Robert and Clara are in love and one of Vienna's most famous musician couples. At one point, Robert welcomes into their home a promising young composer, Johannes Brahms, and everything changes when Brahms falls in love with Robert's wife. Robert's illness later leaves room for Brahms to act in the Schumann household, but he does not wish to commit himself further to the talented Clara. The two remained good friends, exchanging many letters, which Clara burned shortly before her death. It is now up to the music alone to immortalise their love.

Robert Schumann (1810–1856): Violin Sonata No.1 in A minor, Op.105 (1851)

Mit leidenschaftlichem Ausdruck
Allegretto
Lebhaft
Clara Schumann (1819–1896): 3 Romances, Op.22 (1853)

Andante molto
Allegretto: Mit zartem Vortrage
Leidenschaftlich schnell
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): Violin Sonata No.2 in A major, Op.100 (1886)

Allegro Amabile
Andante tranquillo – Vivace – Andante – Vivace di più – Andante – Vivace
Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)

Thursday, 29.08.2024 & Friday, 30.08.2024 - 21:00
Ancient Theatre of Messina
Snow Whites

Mythical account of an eternal conflict

The production takes place within the framework of the Ministry of Culture's 2024 programme, which states, "All Greece is one culture."

The play Snow Whites is a performance for two storytellers and a four-member musical ensemble. In the play, three Snow Whites "meet" and "talk" about the pain of growing up, the cost of becoming an adult, and the forest's gifts. Like all fairy tales, Snow Whites know no linguistic, religious or cultural borders.

With the vehicle of the most fragile of all musical instruments, the human voice, they penetrate time and places, change and give us their wonderful versions in the Balkans, Europe, and Africa. Magical tales are songs handed down from generation to generation, and each time, they take on the rhythms and melodies of the community of the storyteller who tells them.

Original music by Stathis Gyftakis

Christina Dimizas, Lilly Triantaris – conception, narration & dramaturgy

Popi Malapanis – piano

Arionas Gyftakis – double bass

Giorgos Pavlakos – pipers & recorders

Sofia Braila – song

A production of Popi Malapani and Mission Art AMKE

We thank Valery Petti for translating the African fairy tale "Snow White of the Sun" into Greek.

The event is offered free of charge by the Ministry of Culture.

Only the entrance fee of the archaeological site is paid.

Pre-booking is mandatory.

Information & reservations:

www.allofgreeceoneculture.gr

Saturday, 31.08.2024 - 20:00
Kalamata Dance Hall (studio) – Admission Free

Concert of violin and piano student masterclasses

The detailed programme of the concert will be announced during the relevant masterclasses.

Sunday, 01.09.2024 - 20:00
Church of Ancient Messini -  Admission Free

Queyras SOLO

Cello works by Bach, Saygun, Barriere and Kodály

Curiosity, diversity and a steadfast dedication to the music itself characterise the artistic work of Jean-Guihen Queyras. Whether on stage or on record, one experiences an artist fully and passionately committed to music. His interpretive approaches to old and modern music are equally thorough. Jean-Guihen Queyras was a founding member of the Arcanto Quartet and is part of a famous trio with Isabelle Faust and Alexander Melnikov; the latter is his regular accompanist, along with Alexandre Tharaud. The versatility of his musical creation has led many concert halls, festivals and orchestras to invite him as Artist in Residence. Jean-Guihen Queyras often appears with famous orchestras and conductors, and his discography is impressive. He is a professor at the Freiburg University of Music and Artistic Director of the Rencontres Musicales de Haute-Provence festival in Forcalquier, France.

www.jeanguihenqueyras.com/en

-PROGRAMME-

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Cello Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 (1717–23)

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Minuet I & II
Gigue
Ahmed Adnan Saygun (1907–1991): Partitas for solo cello, Op.31 (1955)

Lento
Vivo
Adagio
Allegretto
Allegro moderato
- BREAK-

Jean-Baptiste Barrière (1707–1747): Sonata for two cellos in G major (ca. 1737–40)

Andante
Adagio
Allegro prestissimo
With Indira Rahmatulla – cello

Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967): Sonata for solo cello, Op.8 (1915)

Allegro maestoso ma appassionato
Adagio (con grand' espressione)
Allegro molto vivace
The concert is co-organised with the Region of Peloponnese and in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia.

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations and at the following times:

From Monday, August 26th until Wednesday, August 28th:
10:00-12:00 Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata

From Thursday, August 29th:
10:00-12:00 Kalamata Dance Hall
18:00-20:00 Kalamata Dance Hall

On Sunday, September 1st:
10:00-12:00 Kalamata Dance Hall

Ticket reservations: +30 697 4373173
Weekdays: 10:00-12:00 and 18:00-19:00

Get a single festival pass to attend all the concerts:
€40 and €20 (reduced).

REDUCED PRICE TICKETS ARE ELIGIBLE:
University Students and students in general, people with disabilities and those with many children with the relevant documents.

FREE ENTRY TO ALL CONCERTS HAVE:
Participants of the masterclasses, students of the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata, and the volunteers of the Festival. Unemployed with a valid unemployment card.