Danae Kara Explained

Danae Kara
Native Name:Δανάη Καρά
Native Name Lang:gr
Birth Date:27 July 1953
Birth Place:Istanbul, Turkey
Nationality:Hellenic
Education:Istanbul Municipal Conservatory
Athens Conservatoire
Juilliard School
Alma Mater:Juilliard School
Known For:Piano concerts
Style:Classical music

Danae Kara (; born on 27 July 1953) is a Greek classical concert pianist,[1] recording artist, and educator, best known for her interpretations of 20th century Greek modernist composers.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Early life

Danae Kara was born on 27 July 1953 in Istanbul, Turkey.[6] She began music lessons at the age of five, in 1958, at the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory with Ferdi Statzer (né Friedrich von Statzer, pupil of Emil von Sauer and Friedrich Wührer). Having immigrated to Greece in 1966, she continued at the Athens Conservatory with the pianist Maria Cherogeorge-Sigara (Greek: Μαρία Χαιρογιώργου-Σιγάρα, pupil of Alfredo Casella and Marguerite Long) and composer Konstantinos Kydoniatis (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Κυδωνιάτης) for theory,[7] earning both her "Piano Soloist’s Diploma" and "Advanced Theory Diploma" with the distinction of "First Prize" and "Gold Medal of Iph. & A. Syggrou" in 1972.

As a scholarship student, she graduated from the Juilliard School of Music (New York City) in 1978,[8] [9] New York with the Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music (1978). It was at Juilliard where her artistic identity was honed by her principal teacher, Jacob Lateiner,[10] and by composer David Diamond as well. In addition to receiving the Isabelle Vengerova legacy from Lateiner, she has been coached by Ivan Moravec, and Nina Svetlanova, student of Heinrich Neuhaus.

Music career

Since her recital debut at the age of sixteen (1969) in Athens, Greece, she has given performances worldwide in major venues in European cities, in Latin America, throughout Russia and the former Soviet Republics.[11] [12]

Kara has toured extensively during the years 1979 to 2009 performing as a soloist and recitalist in festivals and concert halls with numerous orchestras such as the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, the Athens State Orchestra,[13] the BBC Philharmonic, the Bangkok Symphony, the Budapest Camerata, the Cervantino Festival Orchestra, the Hellenic Radio Symphony Orchestra, the London Festival Orchestra, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre national de Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon, the Moscow Virtuosi, the Sofia Philharmonic, the Salzburg-Mozarteum Orchestra, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, among many others.

Among the conductors with whom she has collaborated were Giancarlo Andretta, Matthias Bamert, Hans Graf, John Georgiadis, Philippe Entremont, Miltiadis Karydis, Jakob Kowalski, Alexander Lazarev, Friedemann Layer, Christian Mandeal, Alexander Myrat, Robertas Servenikas, and Vladimir Spivakov.

She has had live concert broadcasts on both radio and television by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, Radio & Television Baku, Radio Educación, UNAM Radio, Radio France, France Musique, Westdeutscher Rundfunk, WGBH Boston, WQXR-FM, "Glastonbury Radio" and BBC Radio 3.

As a chamber musician she has collaborated with mezzo-soprano Markella Hatziano, bass Christophoros Stamboglis, violinist Hideko Udagawa, and the string quartets "Voces", "Auer" and "Kroger".[14]

As Artist-in-residence, she taught at the American College of Greece from 1987 to 2012.

Her discography with Naxos Records, Universal/Decca Records, Agorá Musica, Philips/PolyGram, Millenium Archives, EMI Classics and Lyra Records was met by the international press[15] [16] [17] with great critical attention and acclaim.[18] [19] [20] More specifically, she won accolades for her unusual premieres of diverse styles such as the recordings of Mendelssohn's "Three Piano Concerti",[21] [22] Sicilianos's "Piano Concerto",[23] [24] [25] Nikos Skalkottas's "Piano Concerti",[26] Cimarosa's "62 Sonatas", Brahms's "Opus 116, Seven Fantasias, for piano", "Op. 117, Three Intermezzi, for piano", Op. 118, Six Pieces, for piano & Op. 119, Four Pieces, for piano,[27] [28] Dimitri Mitropoulos's "Piano Works",[29] [30] Manos Hatzidakis's "Piano Works"[31] and other of her albums. She was the recipient of the "Recording Award 2000", by "The Union of Greek Theater & Music Critics".

For her enduring commitment and determination in giving premières of works outside the standard repertory, such as the monumental "Third Piano Concerto" by Nikos Skalkottas in 2003 in Paris, France, Danae Kara received the "Hellenic Music Award" of the "National Council of Music/member of UNESCO".

Discography

Festivals

See also

Literature

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: el:Νέα δισκογραφία με την πιανίστα Δανάη Καρά. http://www.kathimerini.gr/488815/article/politismos/arxeio-politismoy/nea-diskografia-me-thn-pianista-danah-kara. kathimerini.gr. 22 May 2013 . July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140730142010/http://www.kathimerini.gr/488815/article/politismos/arxeio-politismoy/nea-diskografia-me-thn-pianista-danah-kara. July 30, 2014. Greek.
  2. Web site: el:Η Δανάη Καρά ερμηνεύει τις σονάτες για πιάνο του Μπετόβεν στο Μέγαρο Μουσικής Αθηνών. http://www.culturenow.gr/20151/i-danai-kara-ermineuei-tis-sonates-gia-piano-tou-mpetoben-sto-megaro-mousikis-athinwn-. culturenow.gr. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20130427231656/http://www.culturenow.gr/20151/i-danai-kara-ermineuei-tis-sonates-gia-piano-tou-mpetoben-sto-megaro-mousikis-athinwn-. April 27, 2013. Greek. February 27, 2013.
  3. Web site: el:Η Δανάη Καρά στον Κύκλο "Οι σονάτες για πιάνο του Μπετόβεν". http://www.clickatlife.gr/atzenta/event/19792. clickatlife.gr. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140730142150/http://www.clickatlife.gr/atzenta/event/19792. July 30, 2014. Greek.
  4. News: Mark Lehman. Press Quotes. American Record Guide. July/August 2005. USA. …Pianist Danae Kara has also championed Skalkottas and was one of the first to record his music on CD…Danae Kara brings zest and vitality to the Concertino, while finding an ideal balance of intensity and forward drive in the difficult and dense Third concerto….
  5. News: Scott Morrison. Press Quotes. Amazon.com. January 3, 2009. Middlebury VT, USA. This is unpretentious music whose effect, on me at least, was one of hypnotic calm leavened with occasional flashes of humor and toe-tapping. Greek pianist Danae Kara, a Juilliard trained musician who has made a specialty of the music of such Greek composers as Skalkottas, Kalomiris, Theodorakis and the great conductor/composer Dimitri Mitropoulos, bewitches with her subtle phrasing and rhythmic aptness. She is given lifelike sound on this disc, part of Naxos' 'Greek Classics' series. It was originally recorded and released in 1996 on Agorà Musica..
  6. Web site: Concert Pianist Danae Kara. Musicians Gallery. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817010600/http://www.musiciansgallery.com/start/keyboards/pianists/kara/danae_main.htm. August 17, 2011.
  7. Web site: el:Δανάη Καρά. Greek. http://www.mmb.org.gr/page/default.asp?la=1&id=3544. Μεγάλη Μουσική Βιβλιοθήκη της Ελλάδας. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20070812171929/http://www.mmb.org.gr/page/default.asp?id=3544&la=1. August 12, 2007.
  8. Web site: Danae Kara. Naxos – The World's Leading Classical Music Group. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20100409112251/http://www.naxos.com/person/Danae_Kara/73397.htm. April 9, 2010.
  9. Web site: Natalie Tsaldarakis, concert pianist. The Ivory Duo Piano Ensemble. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20100417012919/http://www.natalie-peter.com/natalietsaldarakisbio.html. April 17, 2010.
  10. Web site: Danae Kara. Classics Online. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20100409080700/http://www.classicsonline.com/artistbio/Danae_Kara. April 9, 2010.
  11. News: Kaiti Romanou. Press Quotes. August 5, 2014. Kathimerini. February 15, 1980. Athens, Greece. ...her interpretation of Mephisto Waltz was a real spiritual waterfall a powerful generator of ideas, images, meditative thoughts. her introspective nature and amazing virtuosity contribute to a highly exciting performance... the audience was deeply moved.... dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817010600/http://www.musiciansgallery.com/start/keyboards/pianists/kara/danae_main.htm#PressQuotes. August 17, 2011.
  12. News: Volkmar Parschalk. Press Quotes. August 5, 2014. Tiroler Tageszeitung. May 8, 1979. Tyrol, Austria. ...with an arresting originality... a flamboyant technique caused that frenzy of applause.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817010600/http://www.musiciansgallery.com/start/keyboards/pianists/kara/danae_main.htm#PressQuotes. August 17, 2011.
  13. Web site: ¡Espana! Cycle (V). Athens State Orchestra. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140730140759/http://www.koa.gr/en/Events/161espana_cycle_v. July 30, 2014.
  14. Web site: Το Κουαρτέτο Kroger συναντά την πιανίστα Δανάη Καρά στο Μέγαρο Μουσικής Αθηνών. XrimaOnline.gr. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140730143019/http://www.xrimaonline.gr/260439/to-kouarteto-kroger-sunanta-tin-pianista-danai-kara-sto-megaro-mousikis-athinon. July 30, 2014. Greek. October 24, 2013.
  15. News: Hans G. Schürmann. Press Quotes. August 5, 2014. General-Anzeiger. November 14, 1984. Bonn, Germany. Since the late Gina Bachauer there has been no other greek virtuoso on the international scene. With Danae Kara this has changed.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817010600/http://www.musiciansgallery.com/start/keyboards/pianists/kara/danae_main.htm#PressQuotes. August 17, 2011.
  16. News: Press Quotes. August 5, 2014. Bonner Rundschau. Heinz-Dieter Terschüren. November 14, 1984. Bonn, Germany. She has a dashing virtuosity, of manly character which is sprung from endless power reserves...equipped with a glittering arsenal of pianism she recreates the compositions she interprets... ...the public responded with the warmest ovation.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817010600/http://www.musiciansgallery.com/start/keyboards/pianists/kara/danae_main.htm#PressQuotes. August 17, 2011.
  17. News: Ferline Studi. Press Quotes. August 5, 2014. Nouvelle Revue de Lausanne. November 26, 1981. ...An authentic pianistic talent of a rare communicative power... high virtuosity flying to dizzy heights rewarding one with glorious sonorities... she speaks straight to the heart.... Lausanne, Switzerland. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817010600/http://www.musiciansgallery.com/start/keyboards/pianists/kara/danae_main.htm#PressQuotes. August 17, 2011.
  18. News: Juan Arturo Brennan. Press Quotes. August 5, 2014. Unomásuno. July 25, 1981. Mexico City, Mexico. ...Kara has demonstrated a rare and original musical personality giving the most unusual and powerful interpretations.... dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110817010600/http://www.musiciansgallery.com/start/keyboards/pianists/kara/danae_main.htm#PressQuotes. August 17, 2011.
  19. News: Richard Whitehouse. Press Quotes. The Gramophone. March 2005. London, UK. …in Skalkottas most ambitious work Kara’s forward impetus gives it greater overall cogency and her more flowing tempo for the Andante sostenuto makes it formally and expressively all of a piece..
  20. News: Jack Sullivan. Press Quotes. American Record Guide. January/February 1997. USA. ...Danae Kara, billed here as “the first Greek virtuoso to step into the concert word since Gina Bachauer”, plays the hell out of this stuff, with plenty of rubato in the faster pieces and delicate understatements in the slower ones. For fanciers of unusual piano music, this disc is a must..
  21. News: Γιάννης Σβώλος. Press Quotes. ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΤΥΠΙΑ. May 1998. Athens, Greece. Greek. ...Οι ερμηνείες της Δανάης Καρά στα 3 κοντσέρτα του Mendelssohn αγγίζουν τα όρια της μεγαλοφυϊας: Το γνώριμο, στιβαρό της άγγιγμα στο πιάνο συνδιάζεται εδώ με κρυστάλλινη άρθρωση, ακρίβεια και συναρπαστικές ταχύτητες που αφαιρούν κάθε υποψία βάρους από τη μουσική, χαρίζοντας στην ακρόαση μία μεθυστική αίσθηση σφρίγους και δύναμης....
  22. News: Peter Cossé. Press Quotes. Klassik Heute. September 1998. Germany. German. ...Die rustikale, gleichwohl feurige Serkin-Einspielung (CBS) und die Sommernachts-träumerische Variante mit András Schiff (Decca) haben in verschliedenen interpretatorischen Gewichtungen einiges vorgelegt. Umso erstaurlicher mutet es an, wenn ...hier protegiert, die diese beiden Mendelssohn-Kostbarkeiten mit sicherem Griff, mit sicherem Gespür für Tempo, Tonfall und Atmosphäre, anzufassen verstehen. Hier spielt eine junge Pianistin sachkundig Klavier, verleiht den scnellen Ecksätzen beherrschte Fahrt und den triumphalen wie seitidigen Themen genügend Kolorit, um mit einem agilen..
  23. News: Richard Whitehouse. Press Quotes. The Gramophone. June 1998. London, UK. ...Yorgos Sicilianos's Piano Concerto has an engaging astringency. Worth acquiring..
  24. News: Christoph Schlüren. Press Quotes. Klassik Heute. November 1998. Germany. German. ...Auch hier (Sicilianos's Piano Concerto): hinreißende Darbietungen des Orchesters und der wendigen Pianistin, klanglich solide dokumentiert..
  25. News: Giuseppe Rossi. Press Quotes. Classica CD. December 1998. Italy. Italian. ...e la pianista Kara, prima interprete del Concerto di Sicilianos. mostra di saperne dominarne con disinvoltura le asperità tecniche..
  26. News: Charles Hopkins. Press Quotes. International Record Review. November 2004. London, UK. …Kara’s rhythmic buoyancy …vividly projects the contrasts… arresting in the bravura gestures …clarity and exuberance characterize the performance….
  27. News: Richard Whitehouse. Press Quotes. The Gramophone. November 2001. London, UK. …Danae Kara strikes me as preferable in the two ‘Reverias’ –Skalkottas- (VI and VII, included in her –Mitropoulos recital on Agora Musica) where she finds greater rhythmic clarity….
  28. News: Francesco Lo Cascio. Press Quotes. Musica. November 2000. Italy. ... This recording (Brahms Last Piano Works) is destined to remain as a reference point at least till the day when Pollini decides to propose his own interpretation....
  29. Web site: Publications: Recordings (Kompositions). Dimitris Mitropoulos. July 30, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140730140438/http://www.dimitrimitropoulos.gr/?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=28&lang=en. July 30, 2014.
  30. News: Akira Takahisa. Press Quotes. The Record Geijutsu: The Editor's Choice. June 1997. Japan. ...Danae Kara has been brought to our attention by her previous CD recordings...this time she displays an entirely new facet of her talent through this crystal clear rendition of Mitropoulos’s highly complex piano music....
  31. News: Emili Blasco. Press Quotes. SCHERZO magazine. December 2009. Madrid, Spain. Virtuosic performances with fluency, precision, eloquence, communicating emotions ranging from the intimate moments to sonorous explosions, always with sensibility and a singing tone quality….Excellent performances of an unknown but certainly intriguing music..

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