Athens International Music Festival 2025 at Parnassos Literary Society

The heart of Athens beats to the rhythm of chamber music, as from October 21 to 25, 2025, the Parnassos Literary Society hosts the Athens International Music Festival for five unique evenings of outstanding artistic excellence. This year's festival brings together top soloists from around the world, including the legendary Pinchas Zukerman (violin & viola), Asi Matathias and Tosca Opdam (violin), Wenting Kang (viola), Amanda Forsyth and Gabriel Schwabe (cello), Julien Hervé (clarinet), pianists Victor Stanislavsky and David Kadouch, as well as internationally renowned Greek soprano Christina Poulitsi. Under the artistic direction of acclaimed violinists Asi Matathias and Tosca Opdam, and the organizational supervision of Spyros Terzis, the Festival aims to highlight a unique aspect of Athens through music and a series of educational activities. These events will take place in historic landmarks of the city-spaces where science, art, and European cultural identity have flourished. As part of the Festival, three violin masterclasses will be held by Pinchas Zukerman, Tosca Opdam, and Asi Matathias, offering young musicians invaluable educational opportunities and inspiration. Additional educational programs are scheduled in collaboration with local academic institutions. The Athens International Music Festival is not merely a concert series-it is a cultural event that shines a light on the timeless significance of the city as the cradle of Western civilization, while promoting contemporary artistic expression and intercultural dialogue. For five days, Athens becomes a meeting point for music lovers from around the globe - a celebration that honors art, history, and excellence. Festival Program Tuesday, October 21 - 20:30 Grand Opening We open the festival with a vibrant evening celebrating the essence of chamber music: intimacy, dialogue, and brilliance. From Beethoven's witty Eyeglass Duo, to Mozart's dramatic G minor Piano Quartet, and the lyrical warmth of Mendelssohn's late String Quintet, this program offers a beautiful launch into a week of musical discovery. L. van Beethoven - Eyeglass Duo for viola and cello Pinchas Zukerman, viola Amanda Forsyth, cello W. A. Mozart - Piano Quartet in G minor, K.478 Tosca Opdam, violin Wenting Kang, viola Gabriel Schwabe, cello Victor Stanislavsky, piano F. Mendelssohn - String Quintet No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 87 Asi Matathias, violin Tosca Opdam, violin Pinchas Zukerman, viola Wenting Kang, viola Amanda Forsyth, cello Wednesday, October 22 - 20:30 Romantic Currents This evening traces the emotional depth and expressive richness of the Romantic tradition. Schubert's graceful trio opens the program with charm and introspection, followed by Arensky's lush and passionate Piano Trio. Brahms's towering Clarinet Quintet crowns the evening with autumnal beauty and profound serenity. F. Schubert - String Trio in B-flat major, D.471 Tosca Opdam, violin Wenting Kang, viola Gabriel Schwabe, cello A. Arensky - Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32 Asi Matathias, violin Amanda Forsyth, cello David Kadouch, piano J. Brahms - Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 Julien Hervé, clarinet Pinchas Zukerman, violin Asi Matathias, violin Wenting Kang, viola Amanda Forsyth, cello Thursday, October 23 - 20:30 The French Connection An evening of vibrant contrasts and refined lyricism, this program explores the wide-reaching influence of French musical style across borders and genres. Stravinsky's L'Histoire du soldat, written during his Swiss exile but steeped in the elegance and irony of French neoclassicism, opens the night with theatrical flair. A selection of vocal arias by Delibes, Fauré, Mozart, and others showcases the expressive beauty of the art song tradition. The evening culminates in Chausson's luminous and emotionally charged Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet - a masterwork that blends French sensitivity with romantic grandeur. Stravinsky - L'Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale) Julien Hervé, clarinet Tosca Opdam, violin Victor Stanislavsky, piano G. Fauré - Le papillon et la fleur W.A. Mozart - Non mi dir, from Don Giovanni A. Thomas - Je suis Titania, from Mignon C. Debussy - Beau Soir F. Liszt - Pace non trovo, from 'Tre sonetti di Petrarca' L. Delibes - Ou va la jeune Indoue, from Lakmé Christina Poulitsi, soprano Victor Stanislavsky, piano E. Chausson - Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, Op. 21 Asi Matathias, violin David Kadouch, piano Tosca Opdam, violin Kristina Georgieva, violin Wenting Kang, viola Gabriel Schwabe, cello Friday, October 24 - 20:30 Musical Giants This program bridges centuries of genius. We begin with the clear contrapuntal mastery of J.S. Bach, followed by a modern voice in Yinam Leef's meditative Nocturne. Debussy's colorful Petite Suite leads us gently into the transcendent world of Schubert's monumental String Quintet - a work of sublime beauty and farewell. J. S. Bach - Selections from Two-Part Inventions, BWV 772-786 Tosca Opdam, violin Timotheos Petrin, cello Y. Leef - Nocturne for viola and piano Wenting Kang, viola Victor Stanislavsky, piano P.I.Tchaikovsky/P. Grainger - Waltz of the Flowers F. Poulenc - Melancolie David Kadouch, piano F. Schubert - String Quintet in C major, D.956 Pinchas Zukerman, violin Tosca Opdam, violin Wenting Kang, viola Amanda Forsyth, cello Gabriel Schwabe, cello Saturday, October 25 - 20:30 Gala Final Concert We close the festival with two of the most beloved piano quintets in the repertoire. Dvořák's joyful, folkloric energy is paired with the passionate and symphonic sweep of Brahms's Op. 34. A rousing and heartfelt finale to a week of unforgettable music. A.Dvořák - Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 8 Tosca Opdam, violin Asi Matathias, violin Wenting Kang, viola Gabriel Schwabe, cello David Kadouch, piano J. Brahms - Piano Quartet nr. 1 in G minor Op.25 Asi Matathias, violin Wenting Kang, viola Gabriel Schwabe, cello Victor Stanislavsky, piano