The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra is one of the leading Greek orchestras. The orchestra’s extensive repertoire includes works from the baroque to the avant-garde. The orchestra was formed in 1959 by the Greek composer Solon Michaelides and became a state orchestra in 1969. Many important Greek musicians have been conductors of the orchestra, including the founder, followed by Georgios Thymis, Alkis Baltas, Karolos Trikolidis, Kosmas Galileas, Konstantinos Patsalides, Leonidas Kavakos and Mikis Michaelides. Today the orchestra numbers approximately one hundred musicians. Myron Michailidis is currently the orchestra’s Artistic Director. Besides the scheduled symphonic concerts, the orchestra covers a wide range of artistic activities, performing opera, ballet, and music for silent films. The basic aims of the orchestra are the promotion of the Greek musical heritage, giving many Greek and world premières, and of young artists themselves, many of whom today are renowned on the Greek and international music scene. A pioneering artistic institution of Greece, the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra records for such international labels as BIS and Naxos. The list of Greek and foreign conductors and soloists who have collaborated with the orchestra includes a large number of famous names: Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Shlomo Mintz, Gil Shaham and Aram Khatchaturian to name but a few.
Please visit www.tsso.gr for more information.
