Eleftheria Kotzia Concert Information

On Friday, May 2, 2003 at 8:00 PM one of Greece's finest guitarists will play a concert on the Classical Guitar at the All Saints Episcopal Church on 1710 South Foothill Drive in Salt Lake City. This concert is part of the 2002-2003 Guitar Master Series, and is jointly supported by a grant from the Utah Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, D.C.

Season tickets are available for $35 per person. Ticket prices at the door will be $15. Student tickets are $10. Call 531-7066 for additional information.

Eleftheria Kotzia Bio

Eleftheria Kotzia was born in Northern Greece.

She studied guitar at the National Conservatory in Athens, the Conservatoire Nationale Superieure in Paris, and finally, with support from the British Council and the Hellenic Foundation, at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

She has toured regularly in Europe, North Africa, Canada and the United States, Australia and the Far East, performing both as a soloist and with orchestras at many of the great international festivals, including the 10th Anniversary Series of the D'Addario Foundation for the performing Arts in the USA, the Festival Estival in Paris, the Tavener Festival in the Athens Concert Hall, the Segovia Celebrations in Spain, the American Guitar Festival(G.F.A.) in the USA, the Norfolk and Norwich Festivals, etc. 

In 1989 Eleftheria's first recording, "The Blue Guitar", featuring the premiere recording of Sir Michael Tippett's Sonata, achieved worldwide critical acclaim and was selected by Gramophone magazine as a "Critic's Choice Recording of the Year". Eleftheria was twice chosen to participate with a scholarship in Julian Bream's master classes and was the winner of the first prize at the 6th International Guitar Competition in Milan in 1977.

Until recently, guitar music has been almost exclusively associated with images of Spain and South America. Now, for the first time, contemporary composers have been inspired by the rich Greek heritage. Typical themes and rhythms, as well as mythology, history and traditions have stimulated the imagination of composers such as John Tavener, Duarte, McGuire, Domeniconi, Theodorakis, Boudounis, Bogdanovic and Dodgson, all of whom have dedicated works to Eleftheria Kotzia. She has also presented numerous works by Greek composers in her recitals around the world.

In 1986 & 1989 she was on the cover of the major guitar magazines (Classical Guitar, Guitar International) and in 1995 on the cover of the music journal of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (I.S.M).

She regularly serves as a member of jury for international competitions, most recently in the United Kingdom, Holland and the Czech Republic. Eleftheria teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. As a teacher of high reputation she is invited to teach at training courses and international master classes. 

Eleftheria played the guitar part in the world premiere performance of "Fall and Resurrection " by John Tavener at St Paul's Cathedral in London, in the presence of Prince Charles. This was the major musical event to celebrate the Millennium in London .The performance was televised live for the BBC and a CD recording and DVD has been issued by Chandos . 

Eleftheria has performed for various radio and TV stations , including the BBC and WNYC and has given recitals at some of the most prestigious concert halls, including the "Merkin Concert Hall" and the "Carnegie Recital Hall" in New York., the "Herbst Theatre" in San Francisco, "The Wigmore Hall" ,"the South Bank Centre" in London, the "Megaron" in Athens , " Les Halles" and the "Ampitheatre Richelieu " a la Sorbonne"in Paris, and the "Jubilee Hall- Raffles Hotel" in Singapore.

Eleftheria Kotzia Concert Reviews

The Harbinger (Mbernheim Hall - Alabama Recital, 2000)

"Kotzia captured the same glimpse into the Greek soul that the flamenco does for the Spanish."

Arts and Culture (Carnegie Recital Hall - New York, 2000)

"The quality of artistry exemplified by talented E.K, captivated her discriminating New York audience during a concert in Carnegie Recital Hall last Thursday."

The Times (City of London Festival - Draper's Hall, 2000 - Tango R. Dyens with BT Scottish Ensemble)

"Evidently enjoyed by players and audience alike."

Eleftherotypia (Athens Concert Hall - Megaron, 1999 - Toru Takemitsu Concerto with the "Orchestra of Colors")

"The guitarist honored the music in the best possible way."

Classical Guitar (Wigmore Hall Recital - London, 1999)

"Her warm and vibrant personality radiated throughout a stimulating recital of Latin and South American music, delighting an enthralled audience in a well filled hall."