Armonia Atenea - Beethoven Promitheus

BEETHOVEN The Creatures of Prometheus

Armonia Atenea / George Petrou

Armonia Atenea is the new international name of the Athens Camerata. The orchestra was founded in 1991 by the Friends of Music Society of Athens with the inauguration of the Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall. Since then it has been the resident orchestra of the Megaron. From 2011 the orchestra has spread its main activities between the Megaron and the Onassis Cultural Centre, Athens.

As part of a major partnership with Parnassus Arts, this is the first album from the Athens-based orchestra and their conductor..

Rejecting academic coolness, Armonia Atenea, under the baton of conductor George Petrou, injects dramatic energy and bright colour to Beethoven’s bold ballet score..

Beethoven’s ballet music was written in 1801 (between the First and Second symphonies) and the theme from the overture provided the subject for the finale of the Eroica Symphony and Eroica Variations..

Based on the Greek fire-stealing myth, the story of The Creatures of Prometheus is conveyed with music full of drama and verve, but was the only ballet score that Beethoven wrote..

Armonia Atenea and George Petrou’s Decca recording of Handel’s Alessandro has received numerous accolades including the Stanley Sadie Handel Recording Prize, the ‘Complete Opera CD of the Year Award’ at the International Opera Awards, a nomination for the Opera of the Year by viewer of Mezzo TV, as well as being singled out by Classica, Diapason, Fono Forum and the BBC Music magazine..

"For all the star quality, the performance remains a supremely ensemble effort, singers and instrumentalists striking sparks off each other under the energised and energising musical direction of George Petrou."... BBC Music magazine (of Alessandro)

"The superbly lithe playing of the first Greek orchestra to perform at the Proms was flecked with Aegean light"... John Allison, telegraph.co.uk

Decca 4786755