About

Yiorgos Kaloudis is a Greek cellist and Classical Cretan lyra performer based in Athens. He explores the meeting points of tradition, improvisation, and contemporary sound, bringing an ancient instrument to life through research, performance, and original projects.

His work spans international performances, including interpretations of J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites, medieval and Renaissance repertoire (La Rêveuse), and original compositions for cello and lyra (Aptera, Dimensions). He also teaches cello and chamber music in Athens.

Timeline of Performances & Projects

2025

• Paris, Berlin, Antwerp (Feb): With Teodor Currentzis, Utopia Orchestra & Choir in Purcell’s The Indian Queen.

• Old Stock Exchange, Athens (Apr): 3rd Festival of Liturgical Music — “A Prostitute Came to You”, Artistic Direction: Teodor Currentzis.

• Dom Radio, St. Petersburg (Apr): La Rêveuse recital + choral concert Ο ῎Αγγελος ἐβόα.

• Diaghilev Festival, Perm (Jun): Dedication Ceremony to Handel + concert-performance Esperia, with Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna & Choir.

• Diaghilev Festival, Perm (Jul): J.S.BACH cello suites for solo classical Cretan lyra.

• Dedication Ceremony to Handel Tour (Oct), with Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna & Choir, (Saint Petersbourg, Moscow, Thessaloniki, Madrid, Valencia, Barcellona).

• Concert-performance Esperia, (Nov), with Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna Choir.

2024

• Diaghilev Festival, Perm (Jun-Jul): Thesis Trio, solo cello recital Dimensions, lecture, choir workshop.

2023

• Oslo Concert Hall (Nov): Nordic premiere of La Rêveuse.

• University of Crete (Nov): Presentation of 20-year research method for Classical Cretan Lyra.

• musicAeterna, St. Petersburg (Oct): Resident artist; Recitals Dimensions & Aptera, Come Again Sweet Love.

• Salzburg Festival (Jul): The Indian Queen with Teodor Currentzis.

• Diaghilev Festival, Perm (Jun): Recitals Aptera & La Rêveuse, Persephone, lectures on 20-year research.

2022

• Album Release: La Rêveuse – Early Music on the Classical Cretan Lyra.

2021

• Megaron Athens Concert Hall (Dec): Premiere recital of La Rêveuse.

• Rokka Festival, Crete (Aug): Concert with Thesis Trio, Lecture on Classical Cretan Lyra.

• Kharkiv Philharmonie, Ukraine (Apr): Trio Metabasis performance, lecture at Kotlyarevsky University.

2020

• Album Release: Driopi.

• European Polyphony Festival, Rhodes (Feb): Duet with Marcel Pérès, solo recital Innovating Tradition, lecture.

2019–2005 Highlights

• 2019: Festival Diagonales d'Été, Riga AD LUCEM Festival, UNESCO Auditorium Paris.

• 2018: Album Aptera, Museum of Cycladic Art, Museum of Eleutherna, Megaron Athens, Cyprus recitals.

• 2017: Album J.S. BACH: Cello Suites II, Ancient Theatre of Aptera, Megaron Athens.

• 2016: Album J.S. BACH: Cello Suites I, Paris Nuit Blanche.

• 2015: New Archaeological Museum of Dion, International Puppet Festival, HOMER project & Lemoncello duo.

• 2009: Album On The Wind.

• 2005: Album Truth.

• 1993–2014: Selected collaborations & creative projects across jazz, world, and experimental music.

COLLABORATIONS

Intro

Yiorgos Kaloudis has collaborated with a wide range of ensembles, composers, and creative partners across genres, from orchestral and choral works to chamber music, experimental projects, and theatrical productions. These collaborations reflect his commitment to bridging tradition with contemporary expression.

Key Collaborations

Theodor Currentzis (2023–Present)
Since February 2023, Kaloudis collaborates with conductor Theodor Currentzis, performing with the musicAeterna Orchestra & Choir at the Diaghilev Festival in Perm and with the Utopia Orchestra & Choir at the Salzburg Festival. In 2025, the European Winter Tour included Purcell’s The Indian Queen in Berlin, Antwerp, and Paris. He has also presented solo recitals, lectures, and masterclasses alongside these projects.

musicAeterna Orchestra & Choir (2023–Present)
Kaloudis joined productions at Dom Radio, St. Petersburg, and the Diaghilev Festival, performing under the direction of Theodor Currentzis.

Utopia Orchestra & Choir (2023–Present)
Performed Purcell’s The Indian Queen at Salzburg Festival and during the European Winter Tour (2025). This collaboration demonstrates his versatility across traditional and contemporary settings.

Irini Tsirakidis (2018–Present)
A long-term partnership blending classical vocals with the timbre of the classical Cretan lyra, creating captivating performances bridging traditional and classical music.

HOMER by Sophia Hill (2015–Present)
A theatrical quartet reimagining Homer’s Odyssey, blending music, drama, and storytelling with classical instruments such as lyra and kanun.

Ruth Hill (2004–Present)
A collaboration focusing on atmospheric soundscapes merging classical, world, and jazz music, utilizing live-loop-recording techniques.

THESIS Trio (2018–2024)
A trio championing contemporary Greek compositions with mezzo-soprano Irini Tsirakidis and pianist Dimitra Kokkinopoulou, combining classical instruments and vocals innovatively.

Lemoncello (2012–2015)
A duo with pianist Sotiris Lemonidis exploring original compositions at the intersection of classical and contemporary music.

CHOSEN Trio (2007–2009)
Featuring Sylvan Richardson and Ruth Hill, this trio fused jazz, world music, and improvisation, gaining international recognition at the Manchester Jazz Festival.

Faros Duo (2002–2008)
A duo with saxophonist David Lynch exploring experimental and improvisational music, blending jazz and world elements.

Occasional Dream (1996–2001)
Early involvement in a Greek jazz-fusion group, marking the beginning of his professional journey.

Other Collaborations (1993–2017)

Kaloudis performed extensively in Greece and internationally, contributing as a cellist, lyra performer, improviser, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist across music, theater, and cinema projects. His work spans classical, contemporary, jazz, world, and experimental music, leaving a distinctive mark on each performance and recording.