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Sinfonietta Passau

Conductor Eleni Papakyriakou and the strings of the “Sinfonietta Passau” performed with great sensitivity and at a high standard, rendering transitions and ritardandos convincingly and bringing the various characters of the movements vividly to life. [O. Respighi “Antiche danze ed arie, Suite No. 3”]

In Tchaikovsky’s “Rococo” Variations for cello and chamber orchestra, too, the “Sinfonietta” under Papakyriakou demonstrated an excellent eye for detail – for instance in the horn solo of the introduction, the lively dialogues between the woodwinds and the solo part, and the subtly executed accompanying passages.

Under the precise, pulsating baton of conductor Eleni Papakyriakou, [Philipp Ortmeier’s Symphony No. 1] ‘Nostalgia’ is brought to life. The founder guides her orchestra through the score with a sure sense of tempo and brings out the various timbres.

A moving silence fell over the room until a great cheer erupted in the packed church. Three years ago, Papakyriakou had founded this orchestra with courage and energy. The effort has paid off. The “Sinfonietta” has found its place in Passau and the surrounding region and continues to surprise audiences with exceptional concert series of the very highest standard.

Heidi Kristl & Carola Baumann-Moritz, Passauer Neue Presse / Dr. Bernhard Stoffels, Straubinger Tagblatt

April-May 2026

Orchestre Pasdeloup

Avec une gestuelle très précise [...] elle en propose une lecture vigoureuse, au rythme solidement souligné par des accents impeccables [...]. Les timbres qu’elle obtient de certains musiciens, comme les puissantes cordes graves ou l’élégant hautbois, suffisent à retenir l’attention du spectateur.

With a very precise gesture [...] she offers a vigorous interpretation, with a rhythm solidly underlined by impeccable accents [...]. The timbres she obtains from certain musicians, such as the powerful bass strings or the elegant oboe, are enough to hold the spectator's attention.

bachtrack.com / Clara Leonardi  13.12.2021

Symphony Orchestra of the Kassel Music Academy "Louis Spohr"

From the very first note, the internationally renowned conductor led the ensemble with precise, attentive conducting – clear in her cues, alert in the musical dialogue. [...] The young ensemble seized this opportunity [...] to shine with early Romantic verve and expansive melodic lines. Even here, the refined sound of the securely intoned strings was impressive. [...] The concert concluded with Beethoven's Eighth Symphony [...]. With youthful energy, the orchestra mastered sudden accents, perfectly reproduced the famous "metronome tick" in the Allegretto, and stormed through a rapid, exhilarating passage in the final movement. Despite the high tempo, it maintained masterful control in leaps and digressions. Well-deserved applause brought this evening full of musical joy and technical mastery to a close.

Christof Krieg, Hessische Allgemeine Zeitung, 26.01.2026

Passau University Orchestra

Full of depth and precision – Passau University Orchestra impresses with finely nuanced sound – Margarita Nastouli impressed with her technical brilliance and musical depth in the violin concerto. Her soulful interpretation, coupled with precise intonation, immediately captivated the audience. The orchestra provided attentive and sensitive accompaniment, responding flexibly to the soloist and impressively shaping the dynamic changes. In the third movement, the soloist and ensemble impressed with their energetic playing, rhythmic precision, and rousing passages. The symphony was performed with great expressiveness. The woodwinds shone with their tonal finesse and precise articulation. In the second movement, the orchestra succeeded in creating a touching sound atmosphere. In the third movement, lightness and dance-like verve merged into an enchanting soundscape. The climax came in the fourth movement, which began with fanfare-like brass and transitioned into a passionate musical tutti fireworks display. Here, the orchestra once again demonstrated its full sound power, precision, and expressive diversity. With this concert, the Passau University Orchestra impressively demonstrated its musical quality and passion. It was an evening that captivated the audience not only with its technical brilliance, but above all with its lively interpretations, catchy and beautiful melodies, and emotional depth.

Verena Vierlinger, Passauer Neue Presse 08.07.2025

Landestheater Niederbayern

The reinforced chorus fulfilled its important role continuously, Eleni Papakyriakou had especially transformed the world-famous "prisoners' chorus" to an impressive sound experience.

Neues Volksblatt 18.06.2019, G. Verdi: Nabucco

Opinions & Recommendations

Due to her special communication skills, her precise preparation and her constructive rehearsal work, but also because of her artistic personality and charisma, she gained great recognition from the colleagues and the students right from the start of the collaboration. The reactions from the circle of participants have been absolutely unanimous since the beginning of the rehearsals and can best be described as "euphoric". Ms. Papakyriakou obviously manages to ignite enthusiasm and motivation among the orchestra members to a degree that I have never experienced in my many years of leadership.

Dr. Peter Gries, Director Music Academy "Louis Spohr" Kassel

Interviews & Articles

Concerti.de 06.04.2024

 

Bruckner with pep

 

Text: Sören Ingwersen

 

https://www.concerti.de/vermischtes/sinfonietta-passau-feiert-ihren-ersten-geburtstag/

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