What is the best thing that I love about my work? It is the understanding of the harmony . Music has a lot of shades . The harmony is the glue that brings them together . To be able to understand it , explore it , interpret it , and then ‘ download it down to my fingers ‘ in order to make it reality , it’s a strong , and stimulating journey. That is the best thing about my work
What is my idea of happiness? Probably my childhood years . I had one , of the best childhoods ,full of hide and seek, roller skating, etc .. , with the gang of the neighborhood area. We were many ! and noisy !Good , and long years, of , carefreeness , innocence, and fun .That is my idea of happiness .
What is my greatest fear? I have ornithophobia It’s the fear of birds . I had it since I was a teenager .I don’t know how this happened .( maybe Hitchcock birds ??)
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? My laziness . It’s my greatest fault, that I’m working against , since I was born. My best time , is holidays in nature , with a lovely grant piano to work at .And a lot of spare time…
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire ? There are so many! From Martha Argerich Stephen Kovacevich, Joshua Bell, Leonidas Kavakos , Yuja Wang, Dimitri Sgouros , Helen Grimaud , Simon Rattle, and so many others .. It’s difficult to mention all of them .
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Probably the fact that music has become industrial. That , took the artistry away. This phenomenal, created the ‘product’ that music doesn’t need, but the companies do. That is the thing I dislike the most about my work .
When and where was I the happiest in my work ? When I was very small , and I started walking , I discover that I could play anything at the family piano ‘ whatever I heard at the radio , or television That , gave me a great joy , and when I became five years old, I went to the conservatory , because it was easy for me to play , before I had any piano lessons .Then, I discovered I had the perfect pitch .That was the happiest times in my work.
If I could, what would I change about myself? The many mistakes I’ve done in the past ..
What is my greatest achievement in work? My career has gave me great satisfaction in times. With record deal , with Sony Classical , different concerts, in different countries in several places , playing either solo ,or with orchestras , or sometimes chamber music. But , of course it’s a difficult career with successes and failures .
Where would I most like to live? Salzburg.
What is my most treasured possession? My pianos
What is my most marked characteristic? People say ‘my sense of humor.
What is my most inspirational location in my city? The Acropolis.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink at my city? I live at the north suburb of Athens , ( Greece ) called Kifisia., -That is my hometown. I used to live for 21 years in London, and I know ‘ what a good trendy expensive restaurant means. Here at my hometown we have very good restaurants , of variety of foods , with excellent chefs and also quite local, which is something I like .Not too many big chains . But , in reality, my favorite restaurant, is the one , who’s got the best chairs to sit on .
What books influenced my life and how? The first book that influenced my life, is the one that my father gave me , when I went to London for the first time -by myself -, as a student. – It was his own personal book , that took from his library . He read it , when he studied surgery in Edinburgh .It was my time to read it ,as a student in london. The Trial of Franz Kafka – This is the first book has changed my perspective of life . I also recommend
1)- Foucault’s Pendulum
2)- F Dostoyevski – Notes from underground
3) Seferis Ithaca
4 ) Plato Politia
5) The Conan Doyle books
6) Asterix
We only die once ! what music would I listen to my last day? J.S.BACH Erdarme Dich , Meine Gott . From St Mathew’s Passion BWV 244
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction She was an anti-star called Patty .
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? METROPOLIS .
-FIDLER ON THE ROOF .JESUS OF NASARETH – FANTASIA ( Disney ) -DOGVILLE – THE ARISTOCATS .- THE BLACKADDER
What do the words ‘you are the storyteller of your own life ‘ mean to me? Not a lot . Life is complicated , to have only one storyteller. I’m not sure , if there is only one story to tell, and one storyteller , to say it.
Which people or companies would I like to work with? The fun ones .
Where can you see me or my work ? I play in different concerts in different places.But I’m always in mid August at Epidavros because I am the artistic director of the Capetan Rebelos festival. This is the nickname of the Greek Macedonian hero Christos Tsolakopoulos who I am an offspring . –
What do the words ‘passion never retires’ means to me? Not much . Passion is a word ,I try not to use ,or include ,in my personal vocabulary. -I’m not a great fan of passions . It’s a dangerous word, that can lead to extreme situations. I like normality ,& not too many extremes .
Which creative heroes should be involved to tell their story? George Lymberakis, Grace Vlahou, sir Jason Cooper
How can you contact me?