Friday, March 24, 2023 - 7pm

Iakovos Kolanian, a well-known international guitarist, ranks among the most prominent artists of his generation. His interpretations, driven by vision and faith, often form a bridge between classical music and the music traditions of the world.
 

He started his musical performance journey by giving individual recitals in many cities in Greece and on television and radio programs, while also performing as a soloist with almost all Greek symphonic orchestras. Presenting his first album in 1989, consisting of his own transcriptions of Armenian popular music, Kolanian toured in England, France, Italy, and Austria, and was also featured on BBC, Radio France, and the Austrian Television (ORF). His collaboration with the Symphonic Orchestra of Armenia and its conductor Loris Tjeknavorian resulted in the recording of “Zarhe,” a concert for guitar and orchestra, and the release of a CD – with the composer himself as the conductor, which Kolanian has performed in various cities all over the world.
 

In 2002, a new CD was released with the J. S. Bach Lute Suites transcribed for guitar by Kolanian himself. The following year, Kolanian recorded anew the Armenian popular songs on his own transcription, adding also works of the Armenian national composer, Komitas. That CD won an award in Hollywood, USA, as the best in the category of Best Instrumental Albums. The success was followed by a new tour in various cities of the US and Canada, including, among others, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Austin, and Vancouver. Subsequent recording activities include a CD with works of Agustin Barrios, as well as his transcription for guitar of the famous work “Epitaph” by the world-renowned late Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.

For the last three years, Iakovos Kolanian has been collaborating with the “Philippos Nakas” musical publishing house, recording CDs with works of E. Pujol, J. Sagreras, F. Carulli, M. Carcassi, and F. Sor, and publishing the respective musical books. In parallel with his artistic activity, Kolanian teaches at the “Philippos Nakas” Conservatory, and he also is the Director of the guitar department of the “Contemporary Music Education” Conservatory in Athens, Greece.