Leonidas Kavakos has a unique timbre and a flawless technique. In Luxemburg, the Greek violin virtuoso recently interpreted Stravinsky’s extraordinary Violin Concerto in D major, and “Musica” was there to talk to him. He began by speaking about the extraordinary sound Stravinsky created to open each movement.

Looking forward to film tonight’s concert @PhilharmonieLux with violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos. Soon on Musica @euronews pic.twitter.com/AqpFXcpNV6

— Katharina Rabillon (@Katharinakaun) September 14, 2018

Leonidas Kavakos:

“The sound of this chord it goes perfectly with Stravinsky’s sense of humor, sarcasm, irony and, you know, being so playful about it.”

Stravinsky called the challenging chord that opens each movement and spans over two and a half octaves the “passport to his concerto”.

His witty masterpiece from 1931, which has influences from the Baroque era, is inspirational for Kavakos, who performed it with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra.

Leonidas Kavakos:

“What I love is that we see the Stravinsky who is looking ahead of his time but he’s distilling all the energy and the power from the past.”

The orchestra’s musical director Gustavo Gimeno agrees that Stravinsky’s character infuses everything that he wrote.

When the violin virtuoso invites you to play on his Stradivari from 1734! ? our portrait about Leonidas Kavakos soon on Musica @euronews @PhilharmonieLux pic.twitter.com/mWFy22rt3W

— Katharina Rabillon (@Katharinakaun) September 14, 2018

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