Choose artist...
Home   >   Projects   >   Sei Solo
Leonidas Kavakos

Sei Solo

Sony Classical
Release Date: March 4, 2022

Press Release

Read press

Artist Details

Read bio

Tour Dates

View

Website

Visit
The Violinist Leonidas Kavakos
1 Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV1006 / I. Preludio  
2 II. Loure  
3 III. Gavotte en Rondeau  
4 IV. Menuet I - Menuet II  
5 V. Bourrée  
6 VI. Gigue  
7 Bach, J S: Sonata for solo violin No. 3 in C major, BWV1005 / I. Adagio  
8 II. Fuga  
9 III. Largo  
10 IV. Allegro assai  
11 Bach, J S: Sonata for solo violin No. 2 in A minor, BWV1003 / I. Grave  
12 II. Fuga  
13 III. Andante  
14 IV. Allegro  
15 Bach, J S: Sonata for solo violin No. 1 in G minor, BWV1001 / I. Adagio  
16 II. Fuga  
17 III. Siciliana  
18 IV. Presto  
19 Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV1002 / I. Allemanda  
20 II. Double  
21 III. Corrente  
22 Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV1002 / I. Allemanda  
23 II. Double  
24 III. Corrente  
25 IV. Double  
26 V. Sarabande  
27 VI. Double  
28 VII. Tempo di Borea  
29 VIII. Double  
30 Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004 / I. Allemanda  
31 II. Corrente  
32 III. Sarabanda  
33 IV. Giga  
34 V. Ciaccona  
Show all tracks
Hide

Kavakos is a laureate of the great violin competitions and a visitor to the great orchestras of the world – as both violinist and conductor. In 2017 he joined the likes of Shostakovich, Rostropovich and Rubinstein as a laureate of the Sonning Music Prize.
?An exclusive Sony Classical artist since 2018, Kavakos now stands ready to release his most significant recording yet – his first account of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. The set also includes the famous Chaconne in D minor from the Partita No. 2, for many, Bach’s single greatest span of music. Like many of his coevals, Bach was capable of creating great structures in sound, making use of the full panoply of choir, orchestra and soloists. He was unique, however, in his ability to conjure similar architectural marvels out of a single instrument. Bach titled his set Sei Solo – both a description of the work itself (‘six solos’) and a reminder of the challenge to the player: ‘you are alone.’

Leonidas Kavakos tackles that challenges and “keeps a firm grip on the rhythm, but one never gets the feeling that he is merely metronomic. Indeed, in the Double of the Courante, he wrestles the flood of notes into long, well-formed phrases, establishing a structure of impressive breadth and integrity (…) every line seems sharply etched, and Kavakos takes unusual care to balance the voices” – Gramophone Magazine.

  • In advance of his November Koerner Hall performances, Leonidas Kavakos on the enduring value of Bach / ludwigvan
    Posted At: November 1, 2024
    ludwigvan's Anya Wassenberg writes….Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos needs no introduction to classical music lovers. His recent release with Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax, Beethoven for Three, hit the Classical Chartz Top Ten on April 8 and remained in the Top Ten for seven weeks.He’s also recorded with the likes of Yuja Wang, Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Mariinsky Orchestra, and other lumin...

  • Leonidas Kavakos discusses the power of music with WQXR: New York
    Posted At: March 24, 2020

    What we have here is an extremely rare example of a "complete" musician among the violinists of the present day: one of the most sought-after soloists in today's world of music, he regularly performs with leading international orchestras under the most high-profile conductors. He is also a convincing advocate of the repertory for violin and piano and in general is a passionate chamber musician. More ...

  • Is Leonidas Kavakos the greatest violinist in the world? / Philadelphia Inquirer
    Posted At: February 6, 2019

    The greatest violinist in the world? It's a silly concept, of course. Some are wonderful technicians, others find a humanity in the music obvious nowhere on the printed page. But if there is another violinist anywhere who could have pulled off the extraordinary PCMS recital Leonidas Kavakos did Monday night at the Perelman Theater, I don't know who it might be. He came with an enormous advantage ...

  • Leonidas Kavakos signs with Sony to record core repertoire / theStrad
    Posted At: June 20, 2018

    Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos has signed to Sony Classical for his next recording projects, after four-album stint with Decca.Initial projects include the Beethoven concerto for which he will direct the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and a full set of the Bach Sonatas and Partitas. Kavakos recorded three albums with the label from 2006 to 2012 before joining Decca. His return to Sony was presaged ...

  • Leonidas Kavakos will serve as artist-in-residence amid 20 Dallas Symphony conductors for 2018-19 season / Texas Classical Review
    Posted At: February 22, 2018

    The absence of a music director–a quandary the Dallas Symphony Orchestra currently faces in light of the departure of Jaap van Zweden for the New York Philharmonic-brings up not only challenges of musical philosophy and technique, but of programing and continuity. But, while it's likely that a new music director for the 2019-20 season will be named sometime in upcoming months, audiences will ge...

  • Leonidas Kavakos discusses 'Virtuoso' with ClassicalFM 91 Toledo
    Posted At: May 16, 2016

    Leonidas Kavakos, one of the world's finest violinists, showcases virtuoso works for the violin on his latest Decca album. Included are some of the most exciting and challenging violin works ever written, alongside beautiful, lyrical encores, all of it, displaying a formidable technique to stunning effect. Kavakos is heard here at his very best; his unique style stealing the show in a dazzling, wide-...

  • New Classical Tracks: Leonidas Kavakos, 'Virtuoso'
    Posted At: May 11, 2016

    New Classical Tracks is a Syndicated Feature airing Nationally on Classical 24 & Statewide on Minnesota Public Radio. Listen to Julie Amacher's Feature with Leonidas Kavakos. READ THE TRANSCRIPT -  A virtuoso is highly skilled musician or artist. Leonidas Kavakos is a virtuoso, and he celebrates the artistry of other great violinists on his new recording, which is simply titled Virtuoso....

  • Leonidas Kavakos discusses 'Virtuoso' on ideastream Cleveland
    Posted At: May 10, 2016

    Leonidas Kavakos, one of the world's finest violinists, showcases virtuoso works for the violin: included on this album are some of the most exciting and challenging violin works ever written, alongside beautiful, lyrical encores.  Displaying a formidable technique to stunning effect, Kavakos is heard here at his very best; his unique style stealing the show in a dazzling, wide-ranging program.&...

  • Leonidas Kavakos interview with Classical 88.9 WCVE: Richmond
    Posted At: May 3, 2016

    Violinist Leonidas Kavakos is regarded as one of the world's finest violinists, an exceptional talent who has appeared with the world's greatest orchestras. He is an exclusive artist with Decca Classics and recently released a new album showcasing several virtuoso works for the violin. Included on this release are "some of the most exciting and challenging violin works ever written, alongside beautiful, ...

  • Leonidas Kavakos chats with WBAA Radio about 'Virtuoso'
    Posted At: April 26, 2016

    There's a new recording by Leonidas Kavakos, it's titled Virtuoso. There are solo violin pieces as well as gems by Britten, Dvorak, and Sarasate. His first release on Decca Classics, the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas with Enrico Pace (January 2013), won the ECHO Klassik award ‘Instrumentalist of the Year.' That was followed by Brahms with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Ric...

  • Leonidas Kavakos - Virtuoso / WFMT: New Release of the Week
    Posted At: April 24, 2016

    Leonidas Kavakos plays some of the most colorful and demanding violin works ever written, paired with a selection of beautiful and lyrical encores. Kavakos described his motivation for the disc: "After recording the Beethoven and Brahms violin sonatas, which is rather heavy repertoire, I wanted to present something that contained a greater variety of different styles and that focused on the violin as an ...

  • Kansas Public Radio interviews Leonidas Kavakos
    Posted At: April 20, 2016

    Leonidas Kavakos, one of the world's finest violinists, showcases virtuoso works for the violin: included on this album are some of the most exciting and challenging violin works ever written, alongside beautiful, lyrical encores.  Displaying a formidable technique to stunning effect, Kavakos is heard here at his very best; his unique style stealing the show in a dazzling, wide-ranging program. ...

  • Leonidas Kavakos interviews with US radio today for new Decca release - Virtuoso
    Posted At: April 18, 2016

    Leonidas Kavakos showcases Virtuoso works for the violin on his latest Decca album. These pieces combine some of the most exciting and challenging violin works ever written, alongside beautiful, lyrical encores.  Displaying a formidable technique to stunning effect, Kavakos is heard here at his very best; his unique style stealing the show in a dazzling, wide-ranging program. This new recital f...

  • Leonidas Kavakos - Virtuoso / KDFC: Album of the Week
    Posted At: April 18, 2016

    Tune in throughout the week for tracks from KDFC's Album of the Week. More to discover with KDFC and KDFC.com. This week's pick is from one of the world's finest violinists Leonidas Kavakos, who showcases virtuoso works for the violin. Included on this album are some of the most exciting and challenging violin works ever written, alongside beautiful, lyrical encores.  Displaying a f...

  • Leonidas Kavakos - Virtuoso / WCRB: CD of the Week
    Posted At: April 4, 2016

    From the imagination and curiosity of the WCRB: Boston staff, this is where you'll find personal reflections and comments about the music you hear every day on Classical Radio Boston. Check back often for the deep dive, the spontaneous revelation, and the beyond-the-broadcast connections that bring the music alive. For the CD of the Week April 4, celebrated violinist Leonidas Kavakos constructs a stu...
Go to artist details