Faith Τhrough Μusic: A Journey of the Soul

Multi-awarded soloist Marios Panteliadis will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Liszt at the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation's auditorium.

The recital opens with two chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach. The first piece is the masterpiece "Jesus bleibet meine Freude" (''Jesus Remains My Joy Forever'') from Cantata BWV 147, which epitomises the joy and hope of faith, offering spiritual serenity. The second piece is "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" ("I Call to You, Lord Jesus Christ") BWV 639, from the Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book), which expresses deep devotion and a quest for spiritual guidance, while its profound emotional depth leads to a state of contemplation.

The programme continues with Franz Liszt's Ballade No. 2, a powerful narrative interwoven with strands of romantic emotion. Inspired by the Greek myth of Hero and Leander, the music "narrates" the journey of Leander, who swims across a strait to be with his beloved Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite. She waits for him at her window, holding a lit candle in her hand to guide her lover. However, one night, the candle is extinguished, and before Hero realizes it, the unfortunate Leander drowns in the stormy sea. Although the piece is not explicitly religious, it reflects the inner conflicts that often accompany a person's spiritual journey in the struggle for the redemption of the soul. Liszt's lyrical yet stormy composition reflects the emotional ups and downs that accompany faith and the search for truth, while love, faith, devotion, and hope are virtues clearly evident in these two mythical figures.

The programme concludes with Liszt's Légend No. 2, which takes us back to a purely religious dimension: "St François de Paule: Marchant sur les flots" ("St Francis of Paola walking on the waves"). The composer depicts the serene strength of St Francis of Paola, who miraculously walks on the water—a powerful metaphor for unshakeable faith in the midst of life's storms. It is not only a musical journey but also a journey of spiritual resilience in the face of  adversity.

— Marios Panteliadis

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Marios Panteliadis

He has performed as a pianist in significant venues, including St. Martin-in-the-Fields (London), Musikverein (Vienna), Sydney Opera House, Auditorium Parco della Musica (Rome), Athens and Thessaloniki Concert Halls. He has performed as a soloist with the Petersfield Orchestra, Meiningen Hofkapelle, Athens State Orchestra and Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra, whilst he is regularly collaborating with prominent artists in chamber music repertoire. He studied piano at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia (Rome), University of Vienna and Royal Academy of Music in London, under the guidance of pianists such as Sergio Perticaroli, Noel Flores, Tatiana Sarkisova and Parry Derembe-Papastavrou. He has won numerous first prizes and special awards in international piano competitions in Greece, Italy and France. In addition to his piano studies, he graduated in Orchestra Conducting from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory (Rome). His discography includes productions with Da Vinci Classics (2019, 2021) and Brilliant Classics (2022).