Dimitris Kotronakis profile picture

Dimitris Kotronakis

classical guitarist

About Me


Biography:

Dimitris Kotronakis was born in Heraklion ,Creta ( Greece ), in 1973.

His studies on classical guitar begun when he was at the age of seven, and were completed under guidance of Vassilis Kanaras in 1992, when he graduated from the “International Conservatory of Athens”, obtaining his guitar diploma.

He attended post-graduate studies on classical guitar at the “Athens Conservatory”, graduating again in 1996, under supervision of Costas Cotsiolis .

Meanwhile, he further expanded his theoretical musical knowledge (obtaining diploma in Fuge , under tutoring of Giorgos Sioras ) and attended Musicology classes (obtaining diploma from the Musicology branch of the Universityof Athens , in 1996).

Today he is a Phd student of the above University, with his thesis having as subject: “Greek composers for guitar in the twentieth century”.

He has performed in numerous individual guitar recitals; he has also co-operated as a soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Craiova ( Romania ), the Orchestra of Colors ( Greece ) and the “ Nicolaos Mantzaros ” orchestra ( Greece ).

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/31/2007
Band Website: dimitriskotronakis.googlepages.com/
Influences:


Contact:

Worldwide representation and management

: : Luba Management Inc. :

E-mail: [email protected] : :
:
Tel: 443-653-2868:

For Greece and Cyprus Booking only
E-mail: [email protected]:
Tel: +30 6937662631 :



Videos:

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov: The flight of the bumblebee:

Raphaël Fays:Romantique Voyage:

Stepan Rak:Gora:

Marco Pereira:Pixaim:

Marco Pereira:Plainte:

Marco Pereira:Tio Boros:

Luis Zea:Pajarillo:

Nicolo Paganini: Capriccio No5:

Nicolo Paganini: Capriccio No16:

Repertory:

Solo guitar Repertory: :

NICOLO: : PAGANINI
: Capricio: : No. 5,6,9,13,14,16,17,19,20,21,22,24 ( arr: . Dimitris: Kotronakis: )
:

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
: Sonata No. 1 for violin ( arr: . Dimitris: Kotronakis: )
: Sonata No. 3 for violin ( arr: . Dimitris: Kotronakis: )
: Partita No. 2 for violin ( arr: . Dimitris: Kotronakis: ): :

RAPHAËL: : FAYS
: Romantique: : voyage ( arr: . Dimitris: Kotronakis: ):
Dans: les yeux: de Michèle: ( arr: . Dimitris: Kotronakis: ): :

DJANGO: : REINHARDT - ROLAND DYENS
: Nuages: : : :

MARCO PEREIRA
: Plainte
: Tio: : Boros
: Marta
: Pixaim: : : :

AGUSTÍN: : BARRIOS- MANGORÉ
: Preludio
: Las Abejas: : :

ROLAND DYENS
: Valse: : des Loges
: Hommage: : à: Villa-Lobos: :

VOJISLAV IVANOVIC
: 6 Pièces: de Café: :

LUIS ZEA
: Variationes: : Lyricas
: Pajarillo: : : :

STEPÁN: : RAK
: Góra
: 3 Russian Valses
: Darwiniana
: Temptation of the Renaissance : :

PACO: : DE LUCIA
: La Cueva: : del: Gato
: Monasterio: : de Sal : :

NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
: The flight of the bumblebee ( arr: . Dimitris: Kotronakis: ): :

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
: Souite: : Troileana: ( arr: . Dario Bisso: ): :

NICOS: : MAMANGAKIS:
: New Excursion
: 22 pieces for guitar: :

PAULO BELLINATI
: Jongo
: Um Amor: de Valsa: : :

ALBERTO GINASTERA
: Sonata: : : :

SERGIO: ASSAD
: Aquarelle: : :Repertory for guitar and orchestra: :

JOAQUIN RODRIGO
: Concierto de Aranjouez: : :

MARIO CASTELNUOVO: TEDESCO
: 1o Concerto in Re: :

ROLAND DYENS
: Concerto Métis: :

MALCOMN: : ARNOLD
: Guitar Concerto op. 67: :

HERBERT CHAPPELL
: Concerto No. 1, Caribean:



Reviews:

:

"...From the very first track, it is obvious that Kotronakis has a tremendous technique. His playing is clean, and his rhythms are ultra-crisp...He is too talented not to become known the world over, though, and one of the major labels should sign him up immediately...I was delighted by the variety and the quality of the music on this CD, and more than delighted by the way in which it was performed by Kotronakis. This CD is worth making a little extra effort to acquire."
Raymond Tuttle, classical.net ,September 2008

"...even at today's standards, the speed at which Kotronakis can 'knock out' some of this music is quite breathtaking. Beginning with jazz works Kotronakis demonstrates well his capabilities (and understanding of this form) in passages of high velocity sitting alongside brief excursions into slow sensitivity and by the time the classic Reinhardt Nuages has been put to bed the idea emerges that here is a performer of extraordinary technique of musicianship. If further proof were needed to reveal the graceful side of this player, it comes with the first and third of the set of works by the Brazilian guitarist Marco Pereira - lovely compositions, exquisitely performed... The remaining items are exceedingly well presented and especial mention ought to be given to the Paco de Lucia classic La Cueva del Gato, which if one didn't know to the contrary, you would be forgiven for thinking that this was the great man himself playing. Altogether this is a startlingly exciting recording which captures the amazing artistry of a very distinct player."
Steve Marsh, Classical Guitar Magazine, August 2008

"For these creations, Kotronakis derives with intelligence, from his full “gun rack”, the incomparable technique, the flowing, without boastfulness speed, the ripe, evident and tone-related contrasts in interpretation, like a distillation of a good old wine. In addition, the quality of the recording, thanks to the studio of Musical Acoustic Technology of Athens University, rivals that of the leading studios, like the Capitol Studio of California. If you combine all the above with the deep, sweet and particularly personal sound of the interpreter – result of many years of study– then you should not omit this recording."
Nafsika Chatzichristou, Classical Music Review Greek Magazine, Summer 2008

"A talented interpreter, musicologist, and teacher, an artist with a restive temperament, the guitar-player Dimitris Kotronakis, already appreciated by the classic guitar audience, uses his recent musical album to decisively claim the right of a distinguishable presence before the broader audience. This is his fourth album, titled “Echomythia”, with compositions, representatives of the broader musical spectrum: jazz, Latin and Brazilian music. The first samples of an enthusiastic reception have already vindicated his goal..."
Liana Malandrenioti, Difono magazine, July-August 2008, www.difono.gr

"...The selector, and interpreter of the 19 tracks of the collection, is the Musician (with a capital “M”, of course), Dimitris Kotronakis, a musicologist and repeatedly award-winning guitarist… one could characterize him unexceptionable, sufficient, and infallible, to astonishing, unique, and exquisite. He is somewhere among all these. Where exactly is of no interest. The final result is so appreciable that any intention to criticize comes second, urging one to derive enjoyment from the sound first… What else is there to say? That, save for beautiful musical moments, D. Kotronakis proposes specific ideas for the guitar’s future, as a communication instrument. He is probably right about all of them. Listen to him..."
Kornilios Diamandopoulos, Jazz & Tzaz Greek magazine, May 2008

"...He is one of the youngest members of Greek guitarists’ family, which has welcomed him as one of the best guitarists of his generation… Consequently, and given the artist’s interpretation skills, his album titled “Echomythia” attracts our attention as a complete collection of guitar compositions. The selection of the tracks is exceptionally well done… the tracks that are quite distinct from each other keep the interest unflagging..."
Liana Malandrenioti, Difono magazine, May 2008, www.difono.gr

"...His technical facility, as well as his ability to give shape to the sound, conveying all its tone-related dynamics, is considered as one of the album’s strong points. Moreover, the selection of the tracks, constituting the album, is considered sufficiently imaginative and welcome. Skating on thin ice, among the different trends of the modern repertory, and closing his album with a demonstration composition (The Flight of the Bumble Bee by Rimsky - Korsakov, adapted by Kotronakis), the album’s arrangement reminds us of a concert, with the necessary encore. Therefore, the audience feels at no point tired, but is constantly experiencing new sound surprises..."
Alexandros Charchiolakis, classicalmusic.gr (Greek portal for the classical music), April 2008

"...These diferent music styles are interpreted in a very special way by Dimitris Kotronakis, who attaches some sort of relation to them and, at the same time, stamps them with his own personal performance..."
Heleni Skarkou, Polytonon magazine (magazine of the Greek Composers Union), March-April 2008

"Since neither a technical sufficiency, nor a classical guitar “pallet” adulteration issue is raised, the interest is stirred up by the selection of “different” compositions that– miraculously enough – delicate, but … persistent phrasal interventions constitute compatible."
Argiris Zilos, Athinorama magazine, February 2008

"...interesting new CD Echomythia...Highly recommended..."
www.clubguitarra.com, December 2007

"...Among the CDs which accomplish their mission, i.e. to keep "good company" with their listeners, is the one by the distinguished virtuoso Dimitris Kotronakis. Full of very interesting and delightfull new suggestions for the guitar repertoire..."
Costas Grigoreas, Tar magazine, December 2007 (www.tar.gr)

"...Dimitris Kotronakis showed the most fluent (and fast) technique I have ever seen..."
John W. Duarte, Classical guitar magazine, August 1998

"...Dimitris Kotronakis is one of the greatest virtuosos of his generation worldwide. This I write without any exaggeration..."
Costas Cotsiolis, classical guitar soloist, June 1997

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Sounds Like: classical guitar
swing guitar
latin guitar
flamenco guitar


Type of Label: None