Shostakovich, Symphony No. 14

Dmitri Shostakovich's Fourteenth Symphony, based on poems by Federico García Lorca, Guillaume Apollinaire, Wilhelm Küchelbecker and Rainer Maria Rilke on the theme of death, is one of the greatest musical achievements of the 20th century. Among the most sober and brave contemplations of the liminal experience of death, the work is brought to life in an original and deeply moving interpretation, with the poems performed by Theodora Baka and Timos Sirlantzis in their original languages. Shostakovich's unconventional orchestration for small string orchestra and percussion is performed by the Bulgarian orchestra Drop Down Community conducted by Markellos Chryssikos.



BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Markellos Chryssicos
He studied harpsichord with Margarita Dalmati at the Vignanelli School of Athens, from which he received his diploma with distinctions and first prize. He continued his studies in Paris with Salvo Romeo and Olivier Baumont, at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg with Kenneth Gilbert and Siegbert Rampe and completed his studies at the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève with Christiane Jaccottet (Prix de virtuosité avec distinction) of which he was the last student. He has participated in several award-winning recordings for MDG, Decca and Sony. He is a founding member of the early music ensemble Latinitas Nostra, with whom he has performed and mounted staged Baroque works (Athens Epidaurus Festival, Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall, Greek National Opera Alternative Stage) as well as original productions based on the dialogue between Baroque and other music genres (Byzantine, Ottoman, electronic, etc). He has conducted the Venice Baroque Orchestra in a double CD recording based on Metastasio's libretto L'Olimpiade (Naïve), which was awarded the international Choc Musique. He regularly conducts the Camerata – Armonia Atenea and has collaborated with the Athens State Orchestra and the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra as well as with such music ensembles as the Irish Baroque Orchestra, Bach Consort Wien, Kammerakademie Potsdam, Musica Viva Chamber Orchestra, Musikkolegium Winthertur, etc. He has been invited to the Kammeroper Wien for three consecutive years. He has conducted at the Theater an der Wien, Wigmore Hall, Bayreuth Opera and Handel Festival in Halle, Tchaikovsky Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, etc. He has curated and presented Palimpsest, a radio programme for the Third Programme of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Greek National Opera.

Theodora Baka
Greek mezzo-soprano, with a repertoire that ranges from the Early music and Lied to works by contemporary composers, she has participated in numerous international music organisations in Europe and the USA. She has cooperated with the Greek National Opera, Athens Concert Hall, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, opera houses in Germany, Italy, Lisbon and Perm (Russia), with all orchestral ensembles of Greece, as well as with the Symphonic Orchestra of Cyprus, Philharmonische Gesellschaft Bremen, Il Complesso Barocco (cond. Alan Curtis) and musicAeterna (cond. Teodor Currentzis). She often works with such music ensembles of Early music as Ex Silentio, Latinitas Nostra, Atalante and with contemporary Greek composers such as George Kouroupos, Yorgos Zervos, Efi Markoulaki, Nikos Kypourgos, Kornilios Selamsis, Tassos Rossopoulos, Hanome giati remvazo, Vangelis Katsoulis, Elias Andriopoulos, K.bhta. She received great acclaim for her participation in the opera Arianna in Creta (cond. George Petrou) and for her recording of laments by composers of the 17th century with Atalante ensemble. She has recorded works of the Middle Ages with the Ex Silentio ensemble, as well as traditional and contemporary Greek songs.

Timos Sirlantzis
Born in Thessaloniki, Greece. He studied classical singing at the Conservatorium of music in Drama, Greece, under Charikleia Glavopoulou, as well as violin and piano. He attended regular masterclasses with Aris Christofellis. Ηe received the Alexander S. Onassis scholarship and was accepted into the Master in Opera programme at the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart in the class of Teru Yoshihara, which he completed in 2018. He participated in various opera productions. Among others he sang the role of Calchas (La belle Heléne), The Officer (In the Penal Colony, Onassis Stegi – Armonia Atenea), as well as Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte, Daegu Opera, South Korea), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte, Komische Oper Berlin – Greek National Opera), Colline (La bohème) as well as the roles of Sparafucile (Rigoletto), Frank Maurrant (Street Scene) and Mamma Agata (Viva la mamma) in Stuttgart. Since September 2018 he has been a member of the soloist ensemble of the Gärtnerplatztheater Munich where he has so far sung the roles of Don Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Monterone (Rigoletto), Schaunard (La bohème), Masetto (Don Giovanni), Cold Genius (King Arthur) and Nourabad (Les Pêcheurs de perles) among others.

Drop Down Community
Drop Down Community is one of Bulgaria's most renowned independent string orchestras, redefining classical music for modern audiences. With a fresh and innovative approach, they aim to build bridges between younger audiences and the classical music scene, making the genre more accessible and engaging. Since their mesmerising debut at the Music in the Cave Festival in 2019, they have continuously pushed boundaries, performing at major venues like Sofia's EXE Club and premiering original compositions. Known for their distinctive style, the ensemble has collaborated with renowned soloists such as Liya Petrova and Simos Papanas, creating unforgettable performances at festivals like Mozart Festival, Solinaria Fest, and Balchik Classic Days. Their internationally acclaimed project Five Elements, blends music and environmental awareness, showcasing striking visuals and original compositions by Ivo Paunov. From charity concerts to international stages, Drop Down Community captivates audiences with every performance.