Stathis Mavrommatis
Saxophonist
Born in 1974, with greek and italian citizenship, since early youth, he spent most of his time with music studying theory, piano, flute, sax and chamber music. In 1996 graduated in Mathematics at the University of Patras and then he was awarded with distinction the degrees in Harmony, Orchestration of Wind Instruments, Counterpoint, Fugue and Composition, the Diploma in Saxophone (first prize) with the prof. E.Kiosoglou from “F.Nakas” Conservatory of Athens and the Saxophone Diplomas LLCM (Performers’ Recital Diploma of Licentiate) and FLCM (Performers’ Diploma of Fellowship) from London College of Music. He has also attended perfecting programs in saxophone with the eminent prof.s J.Yves Fourmeau in Paris, Cl.Delangle in Gap (France) and E.Rousseau in Teramo (Italy).
Since 1996 he is the principal saxophonist of the City of Athens Wind Orchestra, teaching saxophone at the “Nakas” Conservatory of Athens (2000-2014) and the “Apollonion” Conservatory of Athens (2012 onwards), giving seminars and masterclasses and maintaining a stable partnership with the Athens State Orchestra. Moreover he has frequent appearances with music ensembles, symphony bands and orchestras both in Greece and abroad.
He played at the XIII World Saxophone Congress in Minneapolis (USA), the 1st International Pera Music Festival in Istanbuland at the 3rd AXIA International Festival in Naxos island giving also important recitals, with the pianist Christine Panteli, in places like the Megaron Concert Hall of Athens, the Megaron Concert Hall of Thessaloniki, the Great Hall of the Hellenic Centre in London, the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp in Belgium, the Music School of L’Aquila in Italy and elsewhere.
As a soloist, he has played with the Athens State Orchestra, Cyprus State Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Colors, Symphony Orchestra of the Greek Radio, City of Athens Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Sinfonietta in USA, Costanta Symphony Orchestra in Romania, “Mantzaros” Concert Band of Corfu Island, the Alpine Band of Turin in Italy, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra in Canada, Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sochi Symphony Orchestra in Russia, String Orchestra of the National Theater of Opera & Ballet in Albania and others.
Distinguished Greek and foreign Composers have dedicated to him their music among which thirteen (13) concertos being performed as world premiers. Worth mentioning “Pièce de Concert” for alto saxophone and orchestra of N. Astrinidis with “Dr. Ermil Nichifor Symphony Orchestra” at the Romanian Athenaeum Concert Hall in Bucharest, “Concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra” of A. Carastathis with Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra in Canada and two music compositions of the Israeli E.Elper “Suite for alto sax, cembalo and string orchestra” with Sochi Symphony Orchestra in Sochi Hall of Organ and Chamber Music in Russia and “Concerto for alto saxophone, piano and strings” with the “Asonieta” String Orchestra at Parnassos Concert Hall in Athens.
In 2005 he recorded live sax music compositions of D. Constantinides with Louisiana Sinfonietta (USA), including “Concerto Nr.2 for Soprano Saxophone and String Orchestra (Grecian Variations)” dedicated to him, in world premier. In 2006 his first CD “Music for Saxophone, Piano and Percussion by Greek Composers” went into circulation by “Acroasis” with contemporary music pieces. In 2010 a second CD , “Three Greek Concertos for Soprano Saxophone and String Orchestra” (two of which dedicated to him) was released by “Lyra Classics”, realized in Sofia with the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra as world premier recordings, rewarded by Union of Greek Critics for Theater and Music. In 2019 “NAXOS” circulated his third CD, “Dancing with Centaurs-Stories for Saxophone”, music of G. Kontogiorgos for solo saxophone, saxophone and piano, saxophone-piano-string (in part with dedication) which won two Silver Medals by Global Music Awards 2019 (USA).
His recording work has collected praiseworthy comments worldwide both from distinguished reviewers as well as from renowned saxophone soloists.
Radio broadcasting of his performances is taking place repeatedly in Greece and abroad.
In 1999 he has been honored with the title of “Distinguished Member” of the Musical Body of “Mantzaros“ historical Concert Band of Corfu Ιsland and, in 2011, he was granted the elite title of “Yamaha Artist” by Yamaha Music Europe.
From 2019 he has been appointed Member of the International Jury of “Music & Stars Awards” (USA).
Currently, covers the charge of elected President in Greek Saxophone Association and he is the artistic director of ‘SaxAthlon’ Orchestra.
