Princess Of Lykia by Fazil Say,  John Feeley - Pavlos Kanellakis

This is the fourth part of the suite for solo guitar New Excursion composed by Nikos Mamangakis.  Excursion is the first work that Mamangakis wrote for the guitar. Composed in 1966 as a soundtrack for the homonymous film directed by Takis Kanellopoulos,  it was extracted as an extended, thirty-six minutes suite for guitar solo.  Structurally it is based on the theme and variations form.  However, it also includes two songs; 'The Cloud' and 'Escape'.  This is a part from the last recording of the work which took place at Mamangakis' home studio in January of 2008 and it was released by the company Idaia.

Nikos Mamangakis 'The Cloud' Fotini Darra - Pavlos Kanellakis (New Excursion)

The Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra was completed by Nikos Mamangakis in January of 1998 and was written for the Greek guitarist Elena Papandreou. The work was premiered in Athens at the Palace Theater in May of 1998 by Elena Papandreou and the Orchestra of Colours conducted by Miltos Logiadis.  In this movement the composer pays homage to the abilities and sound effects inherent in the guitar.  This movement has been significantly influenced by his guitar work Hroes For Guitar composed in the early 1980’s.  His intention here was to embody as much as possible the virtuosic aspect of the instrument.  In addition, in his writing he frequently includes and adapts techniques borrowed from the electric bass.  In terms of the style of composition, this movement is very much orientated towards a ‘free atonal’ style.  There is, however, a considerable influence from the harmonic language of jazz music especially evident in the harmonic blocks used throughout the movement.  in December of 2009 the Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra was recorded for the first time by Pavlos Kanellakis for the record label Idaia.

Nikos Mamangakis, Guitar Concerto - First Movement,  Pavlos Kanellakis, Guitar

Nikos Mamangakis - New Excursion - Variation IV, Pavlos Kanellakis

Nikos Mamangakis, New Excursion, Variation VII

Nikos Mamangakis - Eulogy to Manos Hadjidakis - Pavlos Kanellakis, Guitar

Nikos Mamangakis - Eulogy to Nikos Kazantzakis - P. Kanellakis, Guitar

George Kontogiorgos - Elegy 1980 - Pavlos Kanellakis, Guitar

Ione by Themis Teloglou (P. Kanellakis, Guitar)

Nikos Mamangakis Guitar Concerto (Cadenza - 4th movemrnt) P. Kanellakis, Guitar

H. Villa-lobos/ Mazurka Choro - Pavlos Kanellakis

Recorded in 2001 in Riga, Latvia.  Eva Bindere (Violin), Pavlos Kanellakis (Guitar).  
The instruments used in the recording are by Antonio Stradivari (Violin) and Pavlos Gypas (Guitar).

A. Piazzolla-Histoire du Tango  1. Bordel 1900

Recorded in 2001 in Riga, Latvia. Eva Bindere (Violin), Pavlos Kanellakis (Guitar).
The instruments used in the recording are by Antonio Stradivari (Violin) and Pavlos Gypas (Guitar).

A. Piazzolla-Histoire du Tango  2.Cafe 1930

A. Piazzolla-Histoire du Tango 3. Night Club 1960

A. Piazzolla-Histoire du Tango 4. Concert d'aujourd'hui

Pavlos Kanellakis started learning the classical guitar at the age of 7. From 1992 until 1998 he studied with Elena Papandreou at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory in Athens, Greece where he completed his Bachelor studies with ‘Distinction’.
In 2000 he entered the Musik Akademie Der Stadt Basel in Switzerland for Master studies in classical guitar under maestro Oscar Ghiglia and in 2003 he completed his studies there receiving the highest mark of the year among all guitar classes ‘Solisten Diplom – Auszeichnung’ .
In 2012 he completed his PhD studies at the Dublin Institute of Technology in Ireland under the supervision of guitarist Dr. John Feeley.

A prize winner of national and international guitar competitions, he has received 4 first prizes for his interpretation on the music of J.S.Bach among them the Gianluigi Fia Prize, at the Gargnano International Guitar Competition.

For more than 15 years he collaborated closely with the great Greek contemporary composer Nikos Mamangakis recording most of his music for solo guitar for the label Idaia including the work ‘New Excursion’ and ‘Concerto for Guitar’.

COMMENTS:

Athenian born young talent Pavlos Kanellakis is at the door step of a substantial Concert career. Pavlos’well nurtured, somewhat particular repertoire - typically centred on standard guitar classics but understandably biased in favour of contemporary Greek composers - represents a unique asset and a potential guarantee of success in his profession..
Oscar Ghiglia (Classical Guitarist)

Pavlos Kanellakis is an exceptional guitarist and musician whose guitar interpretations are characterized by outstanding spirituality and sensitivity.
Nikos Mamangakis (Composer)

One of the most promising guitarist of his generation.
John Feeley (Classical Guitarist)

Pavlos Kanellakis is a Greek guitarist and musician who, through his technique, musicality, personality and ethos, has attained a position within the international frontline of performers of the classical guitar.
Evangelos Boudounis (Classical Guitarist-Composer)

Pavlos Kanellakis…a rising star of the classical guitar.
Evangelos Assimakopoulos(Classical Guitarist)

PavlosKanellakis is a brilliant guitarist. His performance of my works is characterized by artistic consistency, musicality and enviable technical skill.
Kostas Grigoreas (Classical Guitarist-Composer)

Pavlos Kanellakis

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