Giorgos Koumendakis - Désert Mediterranéen (Stephanos Thomopoulos)

Information

Composer: Giorgos Koumendakis

1. Three Mediterranean Fishes (1998) for Piano: Wrasse (Coris Julis)
2. Three Mediterranean Fishes (1998) for Piano: Grouper (Epinephelus Aeneus)
3. Three Mediterranean Fishes (1998) for Piano: Garfish (Belone Belone)
4. Symmolpa I (1984) for Piano
5. Three Mediterranean Herbs (2000) for Piano: Thyme
6. Three Mediterranean Herbs (2000) for Piano: Mint
7. Three Mediterranean Herbs (2000) for Piano: Sage
8. The cormorant of Iannis Xenakis (2002) for Piano
9. Praying mantis (Empusa fasciata) [1999] for Piano
10. Two black vultures and their terrifying dance (Aegypius monachus) [1999] for Piano
11. The larva and the moth of L. Van B. (Aplocera plagiata) [1999] for Piano
12. Cormorant (1999) for Piano
13. Windflower (Anemone pavonina) [2000] for Piano
14. A cricket in the Blackbird's gorge (2012) for three pianists on a Piano
15. The Silk Road (2002) for Piano
16. Couple (2004) for Piano
17. Little egret and hunter by the banks of the Strimonas (Egretta garzetta) [1999] for Piano
18. From the Tethys to the Mediterranean, Introduction (1999) for Piano
19. Slow Worm (2000) for Piano
20. Horse - Race of Peneia (1999) for Piano
21. Dragonfly (Orthetrum cancellatum) [1999] for Piano
22. Damselfly (Agrion virgo) [2000] for Piano
23. Sparrow (Passer domesticus) [1999] for Piano
24. Fly (2000) for Piano
25. Mantinada (2016) for Piano

Stephanos Thomopoulos, piano

Date: 2026

Label: KAIROS

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The piano music of Giorgos Koumendakis reflects a rare blend of refinement, intellectual depth, and structural coherence. Rooted in a free postmodern aesthetic, his work continues the legacy of Eastern European composers who forged distinctive and independent paths within modern music. At the heart of this album is Mediterranean Desert, a collection of 22 piano pieces inspired by the flora and fauna of the Mediterranean region. Together, these works create a unique sonic portrait of the Mediterranean landscape, exploring the complex relationship between contemporary humanity and the natural world. Through evocative textures and subtle musical imagery, Koumendakis transforms nature into a compelling and deeply personal artistic experience.

Giorgos Koumendakis is one of Greece’s most distinguished contemporary composers and currently serves as Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera. Born in Rethymno in 1959, he has built a diverse career spanning symphonic, chamber, operatic, theatrical, dance, and film music. Among his most acclaimed works is the opera The Murderess, which blends Greek musical traditions with contemporary European opera. His international reputation began in the 1980s through recognition from György Ligeti and collaborations with Ensemble InterContemporain, later earning the prestigious Prix de Rome. Koumendakis also played a central role in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games as music director, composer, and creator of the musical concept. His works have been performed at leading international venues, while his leadership roles in major cultural institutions have significantly influenced Greece’s contemporary artistic landscape.

Stéphanos Thomopoulos is a Greek pianist renowned for his innovative and multidisciplinary approach to performance. While deeply connected to the classical repertoire of composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Maurice Ravel, Béla Bartók, and Franz Liszt, he actively explores contemporary music, academic research, theatre, visual arts, and experimental collaborations. Educated in Greece, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, he further refined his artistry with Aldo Ciccolini. Thomopoulos has performed at major international venues and festivals across Europe and Asia, collaborated with leading musicians and composers, and recorded extensively, including the complete solo piano works of Iannis Xenakis. A scholar as well as a performer, he became the first pianist in France to earn a Doctorate in Performance from the Paris Conservatory, contributing significantly to Xenakis research. Currently, he serves as professor and coordinator of the piano department at the Nice Conservatory while maintaining an active international performing and teaching career.