Yiorgos Kaloudis
Cellist, Classical Cretan Lyra Performer, Composer, Improviser

Yiorgos Kaloudis, a musician of Greek heritage (Cretan and Corfiot origins) from Athens, Greece, is internationally acclaimed for his exceptional artistry as a cellist, Classical Cretan Lyra performer, composer, and improviser. Renowned for revitalizing and reimagining the Classical Cretan Lyra, Kaloudis brings this ancient instrument to life in concert halls, archaeological sites, churches, and museums worldwide.

Signature Recitals

Kaloudis’ repertoire demonstrates both his versatility and innovative approach:

  • J.S. Bach: Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra – Unique adaptations of Bach’s masterpieces, developed over twenty years of meticulous study and research.

  • La Rêveuse: Early Music on the Classical Cretan Lyra – A solo recital presenting medieval and Renaissance repertoire, refined over six years, featuring transcriptions of works by Guillaume de Machaut, Sainte Colombe, Marin Marais, Anonymous (England, 1225), and Guido d’Arezzo.

  • Aptera – An original recital blending the timbres of the cello and classical Cretan Lyra, combining tonal, tropic, and contemporary styles.

  • Dimensions - An original recital blending the timbres of the solo cello and solo classical Cretan Lyra, combining tonal, tropic, and contemporary styles.

These four recitals reflect Kaloudis’ ability to seamlessly bridge musical eras, integrating tradition with innovation.

Discography

Kaloudis’ seven albums, including Truth, On The Wind, Aptera, and Driopi, showcase his contemplative and introspective compositional voice.
His monumental project recording the J.S. Bach Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra—completed over twelve years—expanded the Lyra’s tonal range with a fourth string and pioneering left-hand thumb techniques, enabling performances of Bach and broader classical repertoire.
La Rêveuse: Early Music on the Classical Cretan Lyra captures the culmination of seven years of research into Renaissance and medieval music, recorded live at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Santorini, preserving the intimate atmosphere of the performance.

Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna & Utopia Engagements

From 2023 to 2025, Kaloudis collaborated extensively with Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna, and Utopia Orchestra & Choir. Highlights include presenting 20 years of research on integrating the Classical Cretan Lyra into Western European music at Dom Radio, St. Petersburg, with lectures and recitals (2023); performances at the Diaghilev Festival, Perm, including Aptera, La Rêveuse, and Stravinsky’s Persephone (2023), and concerts with Utopia Orchestra & Choir in Purcell’s The Indian Queen at Salzburg, Paris, Berlin, and Antwerp (2023–2025). Further engagements included residency at musicAeterna, St. Petersburg, directing musicAeterna4 and leading masterclasses, choral and solo performances at Dom Radio, St. Petersburg (La Rêveuse, Ο ῎Αγγελος ἐβόα), and Diaghilev Festival, Perm, including the Dedication Ceremony to Handel and the concert-performance Esperia (2025), featuring musicAeterna Choir, orchestra soloists, and Dance Company.

Teaching

Kaloudis has served as a cello and chamber music professor at the Athenaeum Conservatory in Athens (since 2014) and the Municipal Conservatory of Korydallos, Piraeus (since 2019). Additionally, he offers private lessons in a dedicated therapeutic center in the heart of Athens, providing a serene environment conducive to mindful musical practice.

Discography (CD Releases)

  • Truth (2005)

  • On The Wind (2009)

  • J.S. BACH: Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra (2016)

  • J.S. BACH: Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra (2017)

  • Aptera (2018)

  • Driopi (2020)

  • La Rêveuse – Early Music on the Classical Cretan Lyra (2022)

Timeline of Performances & Projects

2025

Paris, Berlin, Antwerp (February):
With Teodor Currentzis, Utopia Orchestra & Choir in Purcell’s The Indian Queen — private concert at Église Saint-Eustache, Paris (Feb 5), followed by Philharmonie Berlin (Feb 17) and De Singel, Antwerp (Feb 21).

Old Stock Exchange, Athens (Holy Monday, April):
3rd Festival of Liturgical Music — “A Prostitute Came to You”: The mystical hymns of Holy Tuesday.
Artistic Direction: Teodor Currentzis, Choirmaster: Antonios Koutroupis, musicAeterna Byzantina.

Dom Radio, St. Petersburg (April):

  • Recital La Rêveuse – Early Music on the Classical Cretan Lyra at Dom Radio chamber series.

  • With Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna Byzantina & Choir in the choral concert Ο ῎Αγγελος ἐβόα (“The Angel Shouted”), in two concerts.

Dom Radio, St. Petersburg & Diaghilev Festival, Perm (June):
With Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna Orchestra & Choir in the Dedication Ceremony to George Frideric Handel in four concerts. Two lectures on the Mindful Musical Practice Method.

Diaghilev Festival, Perm (June):
Concert-performance Esperia — featuring the musicAeterna Choir, orchestra soloists, and musicAeterna Dance Company. The two-concert program remains a mystery until the end of the evening. Musical Director and Conductor: Teodor Currentzis.

2024

Diaghilev Festival, Perm (July):

  • Performed with Thesis Trio (Irini Tsirakidis, mezzo-soprano & Dimitra Kokkinopoulou, piano).

  • Solo cello recital Dimensions at Diaghilev’s House.

  • Lecture Mindful Musical Practice & choir workshop at Diaghilev’s House.

2023

Oslo Concert Hall (Nov): Nordic premiere of La Rêveuse – Early Music on the Classical Cretan Lyra.

University of Crete (Nov): Presentation of 20-year research on the Classical Cretan Lyra Method.

musicAeterna, St. Petersburg (Oct): Resident artist at Dom Radio.

  • Recitals Dimensions & Aptera.

  • Directed & performed in Come Again Sweet Love (Early Music).

  • Lecture & masterclass Breathing in Performance.

Salzburg Festival (July): With Teodor Currentzis, Utopia Orchestra & Choir in Purcell’s The Indian Queen.

Diaghilev Festival, Perm (June):

  • Recitals Aptera & La Rêveuse.

  • Collaboration with musicAeterna4.

  • Performed in Stravinsky’s Persephone.

  • Lectures on 20-year research of the Classical Cretan Lyra.

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 The Classical Cretan Lyra in Western European Music.

Kharkiv Philharmonie, Ukraine (Apr): With Trio Metabasis, presented 20 Songs of the Greek People by Yiannis Constantinides. Lecture at Kotlyarevsky University of Fine Arts.

2020

Album Release: Driopi.

European Polyphony Festival, Rhodes (Feb):

  • Duet with Marcel Pérès (organ & Lyra).

  • Solo recital Innovating Tradition.

  • Lecture on Classical Cretan Lyra at the “Inn of France”.

2019

Festival Diagonales d'Été, Moissac (Aug): Bach Cello Suites on Cretan Lyra at St. Peter Cathedral. Duet with Marcel Pérès (organ & Lyra).

AD LUCEM Festival, Riga (June): Recital Innovating Tradition at St. Peter Cathedral.

UNESCO Auditorium, Paris (Apr): Innovating Tradition recital, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of Greece.

2018

Album Release: Aptera.

Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens (Dec–Apr 2019): Composition Orthi Petra (Necropolis) featured in exhibition Crete. Emerging Cities. Recital Innovating Tradition.

Museum of Eleutherna, Rethymno (Nov): Recital Innovating Tradition at Homeric Necropolis “Orthi Petra”.

Megaron Athens Concert Hall (Mar): Innovating Tradition recital.

Cyprus (Feb–Oct): Innovating Tradition recitals in Nicosia (Kastelliotissa Hall) & Paphos (Royal Manor House).

2017

Album Release: J.S. BACH: Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra II.

Ancient Theatre of Aptera, Crete (Aug): Premiere recital Innovating Tradition for the theatre’s reopening after 2,000 years.

Megaron Athens Concert Hall (Mar): World premiere of J.S. Bach: Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra.

2016

Album Release: J.S. BACH: Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra I.

Paris Nuit Blanche (Oct): Performance of Bach Suites (excerpts) on Cretan Lyra. Innovating Tradition recital.

2015

New Archaeological Museum of Dion (Mar): Innovating Tradition recital at the inauguration of the Ancient Hydraulis.

International Puppet Festival, Almaty, Kazakhstan (Sep): Awarded Special Jury Prize for Best Musical Composition & Interpretation.

Collaborations: Began HOMER project with Sophia Hill (theatrical quartet based on Odyssey). Continued duo Lemoncello with pianist Sotiris Lemonidis.

2009

Album Release: On The Wind.

2005

Album Release: Truth.

1993–2014 | Collaborations & Creative Projects

CHOSEN Trio (2007–2009): With Sylvan Richardson (bass) & Ruth Hill (kanun). Performed at Manchester Jazz Festival (2007).

Faros Duo (2002–2008): With saxophonist David Lynch — experimental jazz/world fusion.

Ruth Hill (since 2004): Long-standing collaboration blending cello, lyra, kanun & live looping.

Tours & Sessions (1993–2015): Collaborations across Greece, Europe, North America, Asia & Australia. Studio recordings and session collaborations in multiple genres of music.