A Celebration of Shakespeare & Sibelius

Join HSO at this celebration of Shakespeare and Sibelius! The concert begins with Tchaikovsky's well-loved overture from Romeo and Juliet. Greek-born violinist Efi Christodoulou 'a powerful violinist, demonstrating a high level of technical achievement' (The Strad) is performing Sibelius' violin concerto. Finally, actor Scott Brooksbank joins HSO from The Globe to perform Sibelius' "The Tempest" which is rarely performed yet considered to be one of the composer's greatest achievements.

Efi Christodoulou was concertmaster at the Greek National Opera's Educational Programmes, while at present is leader of the City of Athens Symphony. She gratefully acknowledges the kind donation of a Pierre Silvestre violin (Lyon 1848) by Matti & Nicholas Egon.

In 2013 Efi presented two World Premiere performances, of the Violin Concertos by Matthew Taylor in St. Petersburg and by Robert Still in London, which demonstrated ‘the highest standard of virtuosity with the use of a quite dazzling technique’ (Musical Opinion).

In 2011 Guild Records released her first CD which includes works by Debussy, Elgar and the Premiere of Sibelius’s Six Humoresques arranged by Karl Ekman, to general acclaim: ‘outstanding, intelligent and passionate… in this interesting and enterprising programme'  (Classical Source, Sunday Times).

Somm Recordings recently issued Efi's second CD of the Dvorak, Glazunov Concertos and Sibelius' Six Humoresques with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, under John Carewe. It was described by Sunday Times as 'an attractive disc' with 'a grand Dvorak Concerto' and by Gramophone as ‘full of natural exuberance'.

Her forthcoming engagements include performances of the concertos by Sibelius and Busoni, in celebration of Busoni’s 150th anniversary in 2016.

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