Sonatas for viola and piano

Ledra Music Soloists present an evening of chamber music this December with violinist Máté Szűcs and pianist Nicolas Costantinou. Coming up on December 30, the two artists will give the world premiere of two sonatas for viola and piano by Cypriot composer Constantinos Y Stylianou.

The First Sonata was completed in December 2019, while the Second was written in the spring of 2020 amid a pandemic lockdown. Despite the short period of time that separates them, these two works are diametrically opposed. The former is characterised by a rich variety of characters and, by extension, timbres, which partly derive from organic references to various musical styles such as baroque music, Greek pop music and Latin music. In contrast, the latter stands as a form of ‘resistance’ to the tragic events that unfolded as a result of the pandemic.

Presented by two acclaimed musicians, December 30 is set out to be a pioneering musical event for Cyprus. Máté Szűcs is one of the world’s most distinguished violinists, having served as the first viola in the renowned Berlin Philharmonic and performed as a soloist in prestigious halls abroad. He is currently a professor of viola at the Haute École de Musique in Geneva, Switzerland.

Nicolas Costantinou, who has been recently awarded the title of Steinway Artist, is active not only as a soloist, but also as an enthusiastic chamber musician and accompanist of art songs. He is currently an assistant professor at the University of Nicosia, as well as a piano teacher at the Cyprus Music Schools.

Two Sonatas for Viola and Piano

Concert with with violinist Máté Szűcs and pianist Nicolas Costantinou, premiering sonatas by composer Constantinos Y. Stylianou. December 30. Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. 8pm-9.30pm. €10-15. www.soldoutticketbox.com and Stephanis Stores. Tel: 99-744227