Rejoice in Greek bearing gifts

Distinguished Greek pianist Vinia Tsopelas will give a piano recital at Sala Sudasiri Sobha, Lat Phrao 41, this Sunday at 4pm.

Held to celebrate Greece's National Day on Saturday, by the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in collaboration with the Gift of Life Foundation, this is Vinia's Bangkok debut, where she will perform a repertoire of challenging and demanding pieces.

The evening programme will include Liszt’s Vallée d’Obermann, beautiful and captivating Ständchen by Schubert and Liszt, followed by Chopin's Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, and his exciting Scherzo No.2 In B-Flat Minor.

As the finale, in honour of Oscar-winning Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis, will be the Thailand premiere of his Six Sketches, Ballet For Piano Based On Greek Folk Melodies, Op 5.

Tsopelas has received international recognition for her artistry, passion, sensitivity and dynamism. She studied music in Athens, Paris and Portugal before she graduated with honours from the Juilliard School in New York. She also studied for many years with legendary Greel pianist Gina Bachauer.

In 1979 Tsopelas won the Gina Bachauer International Competition for Distinguished Young Pianists in Dallas, marking the beginning of an international career. She has since performed with many US-based orchestras, and has also performed recitals and chamber-music concerts in England, Denmark, Germany, Israel and Belgium.

Besides being an ambassador for Greek music who has introduced, to great critical acclaim, works by contemporary Greek composers, Tsopelas is a teacher of international stature, having nurtured many young talents, preparing them for international competitions and the concert stage. Tickets cost 700 baht, including a post-concert reception, with proceeds going to the Gift of Life Foundation.

Visit www.salasudasirisobha.com, or call 02-541-8662 or 080-407-8231.