“Yannis A. Papaioannou” International Music Festival

The “Yannis A. Papaioannou” International Music Festival was established in the summer of 2000 by the City of Kavala (Greece) in honor of the great composer and pedagogue Yannis Andreou Papaioannou (1910-1989). Born in Kavala and initially self-taught, he soon moved to Athens and graduated with diplomas in piano, theory and composition. After visiting several European music centers on an UNESCO scholarship and working in Paris for a year with Arthur Honegger, Papaioannou became the most prominent representative of the post-WWII Greek avant-garde. Virtually all the major Greek composers, musicologists and conductors of the last 60 years have been his students.

The “Papaioannou” International Music Festival is organized annually in July by the Municipal Conservatory and is funded by the City. It combines solo and chamber music recitals, concerts for larger ensembles and full orchestras, as well as master classes for advanced students. Many important Greek and internationally acclaimed artists are being invited to perform, teach and give lectures to an appreciative audience, in different venues and outdoor locations within the city of Kavala or in the nearby Ancient Theater of Philippoi. The repertoire presented is diverse and focuses mainly on classical music since the Baroque Era, occasionally exploring other styles (e.g., tango or jazz). The music of Papaioannou receives special attention and several of his works are featured each year.