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Greek Composers – Concert Review Antonis Balaskas
March 2018 In Blue & White – Thessaloniki RecitalReviewing the presentation of In Blue & White in Thessaloniki, music critic Antonis Balaskas praises Erato Alakiozidou's imaginative and deeply expressive approach to contemporary Greek piano music. The review highlights not only the interpretative depth of the performance but also the pianist's willingness to explore the full sonic potential of the instrument, transforming extended techniques into an organic part of the musical narrative. Balaskas vividly describes moments in which the pianist's hands move effortlessly across and inside the piano, creating a striking visual and sonic experience. Rather than serving as theatrical effects, these gestures become a natural extension of the composers' musical language, reinforcing the recital's poetic atmosphere and expressive richness. The performance is presented as a compelling journey through contemporary Greek repertoire, balancing technical mastery with artistic imagination. Read the full review → |
Critics' Point Giorgos Leontsakos
2014 Lutosławski Quartet & Idée Fixe EnsembleReviewing the collaboration between the Lutosławski Quartet and the Idée Fixe Ensemble, distinguished music critic Giorgos Leontsakos praises the sincerity and emotional authenticity of the performance, describing it as "true music"—a direct expression of artistic truth and inner conviction. Particular recognition is given to Erato Alakiozidou's refined pianism, whose transparent and unpretentious playing forms the expressive core of the ensemble. Leontsakos highlights the natural balance between piano and strings, where contrapuntal textures, moments of atonality and fleeting waltz-like gestures unfold with remarkable sensitivity and dramatic coherence. The review ultimately celebrates the performance as a compelling interpretation of contemporary chamber music, distinguished by its expressive depth, artistic integrity and exceptional ensemble communication. Read the full review → |
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Discomaniac10 October 2024
Masters of Musical Silence, Darkness and LightIn its review of Light Over Darkness, Discomaniac praises Erato Alakiozidou and the Lutosławski Quartet for their compelling interpretation of the chamber works of Alfred Schnittke and Giya Kancheli. The review highlights the performers' deep understanding of contemporary repertoire, emphasizing their technical mastery, expressive intensity and unwavering artistic commitment. Particular attention is given to the ensemble's ability to convey the emotional complexity of the music while maintaining exceptional clarity and cohesion. The recording is also commended for its outstanding sound quality, elegant presentation and thoughtful artistic concept, describing it as a release of the highest standard that enriches the contemporary chamber music discography. ★★★★★☆ (5/6) Read the full review → Fachos de Luz March 2018
Light Over DarknessIn its review of Light Over Darkness, the Brazilian cultural journal Fachos de Luz highlights the thoughtful programming of the album, which brings together Alfred Schnittke's Piano Quintet and Piano Quartet with Giya Kancheli's L'istesso Tempo. The review emphasizes the profound artistic dialogue between the two composers, united by a shared musical language shaped by silence, memory and emotional intensity. Particular attention is given to Schnittke's Piano Quintet, composed in memory of his mother, whose five movements trace a journey from mourning to quiet consolation. The reviewer describes the final movement as a moment in which hope gradually emerges, perfectly reflecting the album's central idea: light ultimately triumphing over darkness. The recording is praised for its artistic coherence and for the sensitivity with which Erato Alakiozidou and the Lutosławski Quartet illuminate this powerful emotional narrative. Read the full review → Classica (France)Sarah Léon
March 2018 Light Over DarknessContinuing her review of Light Over Darkness, Sarah Léon focuses on the compelling dialogue between Alfred Schnittke and Giya Kancheli. She describes Schnittke's Piano Quartet as an imaginative transformation of Mahler's unfinished youthful work, where familiar musical fragments gradually emerge from a landscape of dissonance, tension and expressive ambiguity. The review goes on to praise Kancheli's L'istesso Tempo for its succession of evocative musical landscapes, moving effortlessly between dramatic intensity, melancholy, contemplation and ethereal serenity. According to Léon, the work provides the perfect complement to Schnittke's compositions, completing an album of remarkable artistic coherence in which contrasting emotional worlds are united through a shared poetic vision. |
Gramophone – Editor's Choice January 2018
Light Over DarknessSelected as Editor's Choice by the internationally acclaimed Gramophone magazine, Light Over Darkness received exceptional praise for its interpretation of Alfred Schnittke's Piano Quintet and the artistic synergy between Erato Alakiozidou and the Lutosławski Quartet. The review highlights the ensemble's remarkable emotional intensity, describing the performance as both deeply respectful of the score and strikingly personal. Particular praise is given to Alakiozidou's expressive pianism, especially in the Tempo di valse, where she transforms seemingly simple gestures into moments of profound emotional resonance. The Lutosławski Quartet is equally commended for its extraordinary ability to sustain dramatic tension and reveal the haunting expressive power of Schnittke's chamber writing. The result, according to Gramophone, is an electrifying interpretation that captures the emotional depth and spiritual intensity of one of the twentieth century's most compelling chamber works. Editor's Choice – Gramophone Read the full review → Δισκορυχείον (Phontas Troussas)April 2018
Light Over Darkness & In Blue and WhiteIn his review for Δισκορυχείον, music critic Phontas Troussas discusses both Light Over Darkness and In Blue and White, highlighting Erato Alakiozidou's long-standing commitment to contemporary music and her deep familiarity with the demanding repertoire she has championed throughout her career. The review praises her ability to respond convincingly to the distinct musical language of each composer, emphasizing the maturity, confidence and expressive sensitivity of her interpretations. Special mention is also made of the excellent recording quality, as well as the high artistic and editorial standards of both releases, underlining the care devoted to every aspect of the productions. Read the full review → Antonis Balaskas September 2017
Light Over DarknessIn his review of Light Over Darkness, music critic Antonis Balaskas praises the album as an outstanding artistic achievement, highlighting both the exceptional performances and the refined aesthetic identity of the production. He reflects on the emotional landscape of the programme, describing a musical journey shaped by grief, memory, loss, nostalgia and hope—qualities that give each work its own deeply personal voice. Balaskas particularly admires the performers' ability to navigate the delicate space between sound and silence, revealing the expressive richness of masterpieces by Alfred Schnittke and Giya Kancheli with remarkable sensitivity and conviction. He concludes that the album's artistic vision extends beyond the music itself, finding a powerful visual counterpart in its evocative cover artwork, where light emerging from darkness perfectly symbolizes the spirit of the recording. Read the full review → |
ANTONIS BALASKAS
Music Critic
Thessaloniki, 6 December 2019
Mediterranean Miniature SketchesIn his review of Mediterranean Miniature Sketches, music critic Antonis Balaskas highlights Erato Alakiozidou's ability to transform a collection of contemporary piano miniatures into a coherent musical narrative. Rather than presenting the works as independent pieces, he emphasizes the performer's thoughtful programming and interpretative insight, revealing subtle connections between composers, styles and cultural traditions across the Mediterranean.
Balaskas particularly praises the expressive refinement of the performances, noting the balance between technical precision and poetic sensitivity. He describes the recital as an immersive artistic experience in which each miniature becomes part of a larger emotional journey, demonstrating Alakiozidou's commitment to promoting contemporary repertoire while creating a compelling dialogue between composers, audiences and the shared musical heritage of the Mediterranean.
Read the full review →
Music Critic
Thessaloniki, 6 December 2019
Mediterranean Miniature SketchesIn his review of Mediterranean Miniature Sketches, music critic Antonis Balaskas highlights Erato Alakiozidou's ability to transform a collection of contemporary piano miniatures into a coherent musical narrative. Rather than presenting the works as independent pieces, he emphasizes the performer's thoughtful programming and interpretative insight, revealing subtle connections between composers, styles and cultural traditions across the Mediterranean.
Balaskas particularly praises the expressive refinement of the performances, noting the balance between technical precision and poetic sensitivity. He describes the recital as an immersive artistic experience in which each miniature becomes part of a larger emotional journey, demonstrating Alakiozidou's commitment to promoting contemporary repertoire while creating a compelling dialogue between composers, audiences and the shared musical heritage of the Mediterranean.
Read the full review →
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Athinorama Argiris Zilos
2008 Tangos a CuatroIn his review for Athinorama, Argiris Zilos commends Tangos a Cuatro for its refined and intellectually engaging approach to the music of Astor Piazzolla. While acknowledging the challenges of revisiting such an iconic repertoire, he emphasizes that the ensemble succeeds through its precision, musical intelligence and stylistic maturity. Special praise is given to the quartet's finely balanced interplay between violin, accordion, double bass and piano, creating performances of remarkable clarity and expressive depth. Zilos also highlights the contribution of vocalist Georgia Syllaiou, whose distinctive timbre and emotionally nuanced interpretation enrich the album's atmosphere, adding another expressive dimension to this thoughtful reimagining of Piazzolla's music Mic MagazinePanos Panotas
2008 Tangos a CuatroIn his review for Mic Magazine, Panos Panotas argues that what truly distinguishes Tangos a Cuatro is its profound understanding of Astor Piazzolla's artistic language. Rather than offering conventional arrangements, the ensemble approaches Piazzolla's music with maturity, insight and a deep respect for the composer's aesthetic vision. Panotas particularly praises the thoughtful choice of repertoire, which moves beyond the expected favourites to include lesser-known works and songs without ever losing sight of the expressive essence that defines Piazzolla's music. Special mention is given to Soledad and A Don Nicanor Paredes from Four Songs au bord de l'eau, where the ensemble is joined by soprano Georgia Syllaiou. Her distinctive, dark-toned voice is described as the emotional centre of these performances, bringing exceptional depth and authenticity to Borges' poetry and enriching the album's artistic identity. |
HiTech Magazine Spiros Alexopoulos
2008 Tangos a CuatroIn his review for HiTech Magazine, Spiros Alexopoulos highlights the exceptional artistic quality of Tangos a Cuatro, emphasizing the ensemble's ability to reveal the rich emotional spectrum hidden within Astor Piazzolla's music. He praises the performers for balancing technical precision with expressive freedom, allowing each composition to unfold with depth, nuance and dramatic intensity. Alexopoulos also underlines the distinctive musical personalities of the ensemble members, whose individual artistry contributes to a fresh and contemporary reading of Piazzolla's repertoire. Rather than simply recreating familiar interpretations, Tangos a Cuatro offers an original perspective that stands apart from many other tango recordings, combining intellectual refinement with emotional authenticity. |