“In the Echo of the Celebration”: Philharmonia Orchestra of Athens with Maria Keller & Matthias Balzat

With another highly interesting concert, the Philharmonia Orchestra of Athens continues its “Symphonic Evenings” series at the Ioannis Despotopoulos Amphitheatre in January.

Two outstanding young artists from abroad will visit Athens for an evening filled with romantic expression and youthful vitality. The young German conductor Maria Keller, winner of the Philharmonia’s 7th International Masterclass and Conducting Competition, will return to the podium of the orchestra that awarded her. Joining her as soloist will be the distinguished New Zealand cellist Matthias Balzat.

The concert will open with the compelling work Three Asia Minor Dance Images (2006) by Greek composer Filippos Tsalahouris. These are three imaginative miniatures for string orchestra, which originally combine the traditional melodies and rhythms of Ionia with the contemporary musical language of one of the most important creators of the 21st century.

At the heart of the programme lies the beautiful and popular-yet also highly virtuosic-Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, one of the finest works of the 19th century. Written in 1894 for the composer’s close friend, cellist Hanuš Wihan, the concerto was composed in New York, during Dvořák’s tenure as director of the National Conservatory, and is closely related in spirit and period to his famous and beloved “New World” Symphony.

The programme will conclude with Symphony No. 4 in D minor by Robert Schumann. The work was written in 1841, almost simultaneously with his Second Symphony, though Schumann later revised it and gave it its definitive form in 1851. Schumann profoundly influenced the musical aesthetics of the 19th century not only through his compositions, but also through his writings and music criticism, while generously supporting many young composers of his time in their first steps. Symphony No. 4 is considered one of the most significant works of the mid-19th-century Romantic symphonic repertoire. It will be performed for the first time by the Philharmonia.

Performers:

• Matthias Balzat, cello
• Philharmonia Orchestra of Athens
• Music Director / Conductor: Maria Keller

A few words about Matthias Balzat

New Zealand–born cellist Matthias Balzat (b. 1999) has gained international recognition as both a soloist and chamber musician. He has won first and second prizes in a number of major competitions, including the Schoenfeld International Cello Competition (China), the Accordi Musicali International Cello Competition (Italy), the 69th Annual ROSL Music Competition (United Kingdom), the Sieghardt-Rometsch Concerto Competition (Germany), and the National Concerto Competition (New Zealand, twice).

He has performed with leading orchestras such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Köln, and the St. Matthews Chamber Orchestra, and has worked with conductors including Jindong Chi, Guy Noble, Benjamin Northey, and Rüdiger Bohn.

Balzat has appeared at prominent festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, Classiche Forme, and the Edinburgh Fringe, and has collaborated with renowned cellists including Daniel Müller-Schott, Johannes Moser, and Wolfgang Schmidt.

After completing his postgraduate studies at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf with Pieter Wispelwey, he now holds both a Master’s degree and a Konzertexam, as well as a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Waikato, where he began his studies at the age of 14 under James Tennant.