The music program of the 63rd “Ohrid Summer” continues tonight with a performance by the ensemble “Elias Ladino” from Israel, followed by a Greek evening with the string quartet “Emilios Riadis.” The ensemble “Elias Ladino” will hold a concert in the courtyard of the church “St. Sophia” starting at 7 PM.
This ensemble brings the music of Macedonian Jews back home. Since 1976, the ensemble has been performing Sephardic music at concerts and festivals around the world. The clarinetist Daniel Elias, the founder of this group, heard the music characteristic of the Jews from Bitola through the songs his grandmother sang to his father. Maurice Sedaka also comes from a family of Sephardic musicians. His mother and grandfather also sang songs that the ensemble performs today. Together with percussionist Case Bond and bassist Marko Brem, the ensemble will play music that hasn’t been heard in these regions for over 80 years.
After the completion of their program, at the standard festival time of 21:00, the Greek evening of “Ohrid Summer” will begin. The string ensemble “Emilios Riadis” will perform in the church “St. Sophia”.
Formed in 2005 by musicians from the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, the quartet takes its name from the renowned Greek composer Emilios Riadis. This quartet is considered one of the most significant chamber ensembles in Greece, performing at all major music festivals in the country. Over the years, they have collaborated with prominent Greek and foreign composers and guest musicians such as Alan Munier, Jean-Christophe Charron, Giacomo Battarino, Barbara Campanini, Violeta Lusta, Dimitrios Chandrakis, Chara Seira, Angelos Liakakis, Maria Milaki, Katerina Gima, Nikolas Dimopoulos, Apostolos Chandrakis, and Janis Karayiannidis.
In 2014, the “Riadis” Quartet recorded String Quartet No. 1 by the award-winning Greek composer Kostas Tsougros for the publishing house “Fasma.” Their repertoire is extensive, including works from all eras, from early Baroque to contemporary compositions.