Natalie Tsaldarakis is a distinguished Greek pianist born in Stockholm, Sweeden, noted for both her beautiful and sensitive tone and her dramatic outbursts in repertoire which currently centres around the Impressionist and (neo)-Romantic styles, though her wide repertoire spans from the music of J.S. Bach to Jazz and new music. Her concert activities have taken her to Greece, Italy, Finland, US, and the UK. Natalie combines a solo career with a career as chamber musician, most notably as member of the up-and-coming Ivory Duo, while also active as a researcher. Graduate of the esteemed University of London (Royal Holloway-RHUL), Natalie's research interests focus on Modern British Pianism and has been invited to submit her dissertation to the International Piano Archives at the University of Maryland (IPAM).
Natalie has often been featured on Greek National Radio (ERA-1 and ERA-3) and in concerts of new music (usually in collaboration with ALTERA MUSICA). Her recitals include such well-known venues as The Sibelius Academy, enabled by a Faculty Development Grant from the American College of Greece, Philadelphia's University of the Arts Complex, The Melina Merkouri Foundation Hall, The Athenaeum International Cultural Center (of the International Maria Callas Piano Competition), etc. In Greece, her last appearances in 2004 included a two piano recital as member of the Ivory Duo, the premiering of a work for three pianos in the presence of renowned composer-conductor Theodore Antoniou and conductor Miltos Logiades (of the Orchestra of Music Colours), and recitals at the Athenaeum International Cultural Centre. In the UK, Natalie has performed in Charlton House, St Brides' and St Olaves' individual concert series, and piano duo performances at the Alkan Festival (co-sponsored by Trinity College of Music and the Alkan Society),the New Masters' Series 2007, Trinity College of Music, St Alfege Church, Greenwich, Regent Hall, and Blackheath Halls (for the celebration concert of pianist-composer Douglas Finch, former Head of Keyboard at TCM). In July, Natalie premiered a work for piano solo by Michael Chant at the Cecil Sharp House, in a concert that was organized as part of the Symposium on Global Warming (also featuring pianists John Tillbury and Haydn Dickenson). The technically taxing piece, lasting half-hour, has been selected as part of a future CD release containing highlights of the concert. At the age of only 19 Natalie was awarded the Soloist Diploma in Performance with distinction, under the tutelage of Dimitri Toufexis. She also received the B.A. in music again with distinction from the American College of Greece (1992). She then continued her studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, USA (WCU), with the aid of the Deans' Scholarship and the Parents' Association Award from the American College of Greece. In the US she studied with Dr. Bedford and Dr. McHugh, both Julliard graduates and former pupils of renowned pianist Masselos (protege of Copland). While at West Chester, Natalie was a Graduate Assistant of accompaniment and also served in the Music Education department. She was also the recipient of a Graduate Development Fund from the Graduate Student Association at WCU, awarded after being named district winner of the Wurlitzer Young Artist Competition (1993). In 1994, Natalie was invited to membership by the American National Music Honour Society Pi Kappa Lambda. Other distinctions include being WCU Concerto competition winner (1994), being selected to compete at The Vienna Beethoven Competition and the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, as well as having performed in master classes of renowned pianists Larissa Dedova (pupil of Lev Oborin and first teacher of Ivo Pogorelich) and James Tocco (US). Notable 2007-08 engagements included St-Martin-in-the-Fields, the Reform Club, and St-John's, Smith Square. In 2008 Natalie commenced her recording project on Yannis Constantinides (important Greek composer, 1903-1981), which informed her solo recital at St Brides' Church, London on 25/3/08. Click here to see the Concert Dates.
