George – Emmanuel Lazaridis

George Emmanuel Lazaridis’ performances have been characterized as "special enough to be beyond comparison" (BBC Music Magazine, Adrian Jack).
Mentored by Yonty Solomon, Alfred Brendel, Ruth Nye and Domna Evnouhidou, from age eleven he has received a plethora of international prizes, honorary awards and scholarships.
Born in Greece in 1978, G.E.L. enjoys a flourishing international career that has taken him from USA and Mexico to Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt and the Middle East, in some of the most prestigious venues worldwide such as the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall etc.
He has performed with the St Petersburg Philharmonic, Hamburg Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestras and many more, under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner, Ingo Metzmacher, Yuri Temirkanov and others, and has collaborated with renowned ensembles such as the Medici Quartet, the Ysaye Quartet, the Vienna Octet etc.
His various CD releases have been rapturously received, with five-star reviews from the International Press, often selected as instrumental discs of the month. Recent recordings were selected within the top 50 best releases of the decade by “The Pianist” & ranked amongst the best historical performances, alongside keyboard giants such as Richter and Arrau.
Composition commissions have included Europa Cantat International Choir Festival, Cultural Capital of Europe 1997 Organization, Birmingham New Arts Festival, Athens Festival etc.
GEL is also co-founder of the ADAP association and the Music-Village International Festival, as well as a member of the renowned 4 Pianos ensemble, alongside Giannis Vakarelis, Cyprien Katsaris and Achilleas Wastor.
Lazaridis has given Masterclasses at Trinity Laban, Birmingham City University, Castellon Music Academy, Manhattan School of Music and many more. He is currently Professor at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Greece.
He has been Artistic Director at the Thessaloniki Concert Halls Organization (Megaro) from 2010 until 2019, where he led the creation of new institutions such as the Megaro Children's Choir Festival and an el-sistema inspired Youth Symphony Orchestra, "MOYSA", with the support of the Niarchos Foundation. Lazaridis has also served as music director of the Demetria Festival (2011-2013) and general director of the State Conservatory of Greece (2019-2020).