Artists

Vasilis Papavasileiou

Vasilis Papavasileiou is one of the most distinguished Greek soloists. Highly energetic and with close ties to contemporary music, he covers a wide range of works in his performances, from concertos, solos, and chamber music opuses to experimental and musico-theatrical.

He was born in Piraeus and studied the double-bass at the Hellenic Conservatory with Andreas Rodousakis. He pursued his postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music with T. Martin, and later, in 2000-2001, at the Juilliard School of Music, New York, with E. Levinson.

As a soloist he has worked with Greek and foreign orchestras. In 1991-1992 he performed with the London Symphonic Orchestra, and in 1992-1993 he toured with the Chilingirian String Quartet. Since 1989 he has been the first double-bass player at the Orchestra of the Greek National Opera.

Many contemporary works are dedicated to Vasilis Papavasileiou, including music by G. Adamis, M. Adamis, Th. Antoniou, G. Zervos, D. Themelis, D. Kamarotos, L. Libermann, P. Rozsa, H. Samaras, and V. Tenidis. In 1998 he recorded for BIS the Double-Bass Concert of Nikos Skalkotas in world premiere.

Since 2005 he has been teaching summer courses at the Liszt Ferenç Academy of Music, Budapest. He also participates as a soloist and teaches at important double-bass events in Europe and the US. He oversees editions of contemporary Greek opuses for double-bass.