Thessaloniki (Greece) - Athens (Greece) - Moscow (Russia)
Under The Auspices Of The President Of The Greek Republic
Works By: Tchaikovsky, Theodorakis, Arapis, Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov
For The Support To The SOS Children's Villages Foundation
MOSCOW, March 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The State Symphony Capella & Orchestra of Russia, under the conduction of Valery Poliansky and with the participation of the world famous cellist Denis Shapovalov, will perform a series of concerts -- "Gala Concerts 2009" -- under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Karolos Papapoulias for the support of the SOS Children's Villages of Greece.
The concerts will take place in Thessaloniki Concert Hall (Megaron) on the 29th & 30th of April 2009, at Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) on the 3rd & 4th of May 2009, and at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory on the 6th of May 2009, with the support of the Municipalities of Thessaloniki and Athens, and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Russia.
The Orchestra will perform in a world premiere the 4th Symphony by Dimitri Arapis, which is dedicated to Mikis Theodorakis. The composer stated at the press conference held on the 17th March 2009 at the Premises of the Theoharaki Foundation at Athens, Greece that the music corresponds to the idealism, the purity and the integrity of a hero, Theodorakis, a man who in his youth stood up against fascism and oppression. The music untangles and describes the esoteric thoughts and feelings of the young heart of Theodorakis during the difficult and uncertain period of the time, when still he had the courage and eminence to create songs and classical music that encouraged and empowered wisdom, love and hope for a better world.
Arapis presented his symphony with his dedication to Theodorakis on the 5th of January 2008 when Theodorakis stated: "When WW2 ended all of us were absolutely sure that never again was war to take place...and look now...fifty years after the end of the 2nd World War, more wars and atrocities have taken place. How, in God's name, will I ever stop fighting for peace? Never will I surrender."
The performance program of the Gala concerts consists of a dedication to the children. The "Adagio" by the legendary Greek composer M. Theodorakis is dedicated to the children, and his Cello Rhapsody, to be performed by D. Shapovalov, is inspired and titled by the nine muses of antiquity. N. Rimsky-Korsakov's "Russian Easter" overture mirrors the purity of the child's soul. Furthermore, the Orchestra will perform M. Glinka's "Ruslan & Luldmila" as well as P. I. Tchaikovsky's "1812 overture" and "Romeo and Juliet" fantasy overture.
The SOS Children's Villages is one of the most prominent and exquisite organizations established worldwide, in 130 countries, acting for the care and growth of abandoned children, starting from a very small age until they are adults. The SOS Children's Villages operate in a unique orphanage program in their own capacity. The SOS Villages program is based and oriented to the family modeling structure as well as to the integrated social interaction of the children, during their schooling and living in the SOS Villages.
The SOS Children's Villages of Greece is represented by the President of the B.O.D. Dr. Kostas Sekeris and General Director Mr. George Protopapas. (Tel: +30210 3238048, email: sosathens@sos-villages.gr, fax: +302103226652
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