Leonidas Kavakos
Leonidas Kavakos is recognized across the world as a violinist and artist of rare quality, acclaimed for his matchless technique, captivating artistry, and superb musicianship. He works regularly with the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors and appears in recitals at the premier halls and festivals. In recent years, Kavakos has also built a strong profile as a conductor.
Kavakos is an exclusive recording artist with Sony Classics. Releases have included Bach: Sei Solo; Beethoven’s Violin Concerto which he play-conducted with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks; Beethoven symphonies arranged for trio titled Beethoven for Three recorded with Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma; and the re-release of his 2007 recording of the complete Beethoven Sonatas with Enrico Pace, for which he was named ECHO Klassik Instrumentalist of the year. With his chamber group the ApollΩn Ensemble, Kavakos recently released Bach: Violin Concertos to critical acclaim. Kavakos was named Gramophone Artist of the Year.
Born into a musical family in Athens, Kavakos curates an annual violin and chamber music masterclass in that city, which attracts violinists and ensembles from all over the world. In 2022, he was elected by the Academy of Athens as a member of the Chair of Music in the Second Class of Letters and Fine Arts for his services to music. Kavakos plays the ‘Willemotte’ Stradivarius violin of 1734.