Ketevan Sepashvili

"She has the virtuosity, to not only master the enormous technical challenges, but also to show all musical nuances. -Die Süddeutsche Zeitung

Renowned for her unique expression and artistic depth, Ketevan Sepashvili is hailed as a rising star in the realm of piano music. European press has lauded her as a “new star in the heaven of pianists” Zürcher Oberländer, celebrating her virtuosity and exquisite interpretations Süddeutsche Zeitung. European Cultural News commends her ability to transcend reality, delving into the highest echelons of piano playing, allowing the music to transport both performer and listener.

From her early years in Georgia, Ketevan Sepashvili's extraordinary musical talent set her apart. Beginning her piano studies at the age of four at the renowned Paliashvili School for musically gifted children, under the guidance of Tamar Pkhakadze, she later pursued her education at the prestigious State Conservatory in Tbilisi, studying with the esteemed Svetlana Korsantia. Further enriching her artistry, she sought inspiration from distinguished pianists, including Prof. Hans-Jürg Strub in Switzerland, and received invaluable guidance from luminaries such as Victor Derevianko, Emanuel Krasovsky, Sontraud Speidel, Pnina Salzman, Nikolai Petrov and Alexander Korsantia.

Ketevan's exceptional talents soon gained recognition, and she was honored as the Best Georgian Performer at the 2nd International Piano Competition in Tbilisi in 2001. Her remarkable achievements propelled her onto the international stage, earning prizes and accolades at famous competitions. Scholarships from acclaimed figures, including Elisabeth Leonskaja and the Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, served as a testament to her impressive pianistic abilities.

As a highly sought-after soloist, Ketevan has graced prominent European piano festivals, including the Klavierissimo Festival in Switzerland, the Liszt Festival Raiding in Austria, the Rubinstein Piano Festival in Łódz, Poland, and the Mozart@Augsburg Festival in Germany. 

In 2017 she made an indelible mark with a triumphant debut at the sold-out Gläserner Saal of the Vienna Musikverein.Her exceptional talent shone brightly, whether performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in the Großer Saal with the Orchesterverein der GDM, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in the Großer Saal with WAPH, delivering a captivating concert in the Metallener Saal alongside Temo Kharshiladze, or enchanting the audience with a mesmerizing recital in the Brahms-Saal. 

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Ketevan Sepashvili's brilliance continued to shine. Her performances at the Liszt Festival in Raiding in June 2021 were met with resounding brilliance, leading to the concert being recorded and broadcasted by Ö1.

Ketevan's dedication to chamber music and pursuit of musical excellence shine through her performances alongside Dimitri Ashkenazy and collaborations with the Violinist Veriko Tchumburidze, performing at Carnegie Hall, Schloss Weidenkam, Filharmonia Narodowa in Warsaw, Teatro Miele in Triest and at Turin Festival Lingoto Musica. 

Sepashvili is a founding member of a Viennese-based flute, cello, and piano trio „Trio Revolution“. Their remarkable journey started with a highly acclaimed debut concert at the prestigious Wiener Musikverein concert hall in Austria.

In 2017, Ketevan served as a jury member at the International Rosario Marciano Piano Competition, solidifying her role as an important authority in the field. An advocate for nurturing young talent, Ketevan has shared her expertise as a jury member and conducted masterclasses at prestigious competitions such as the Otar Taktakishvili Competition, Klavierissimo Festival in Wetzikon, Switzerland, and maintains a steadfast collaboration with the Paliashvili School for musically gifted children, nurturing the next generation of Georgian musicians.

Her debut album, "Faust," released in 2012 under the renowned and oldest Austrian label Gramola, featuring works by Rachmaninov and Liszt, garnered praise as a "fascinating" and "discovery" by Wiener Zeitung. Her second recording, "Fantasiebilder," released in 2016, featuring works by Schumann and Rachmaninov, captivated audiences and drew acclaim from European Cultural News, which lauded her ability to bring forth deeply felt emotions through her nuanced performances. In 2019 Ketevan partnered with flutist Temo Kharshiladze and they released their duo album "Undine", featuring works for flute and piano. In 2020, her recording "Poetry of Silence," featuring miniature compositions by Georgian composer Giya Kancheli, alongside soprano Madina Karbeli and flutist Temo Kharshiladze, added to her impressive discography. Pizzicato.lu praised her ability to introduce alluring sonic expansions while honoring the essence of the music. In 2023 Sepashvili released two CD`s, „Arvo Pärt“ CD with Gramola Label and „Moments“ with ARS produktion.

Playing on a Fazioli concert grand piano, Ketevan Sepashvili's musical prowess continues to leave an indelible mark. Her talent, dedication, and remarkable artistry make her a truly exceptional and cherished artist in the world of classical music.

Temo Kharshiladze embarked on his musical journey by mastering the Salamuri, a traditional Georgian flute. Soon after, he delved into the enchanting world of the flute, pursuing his studies at the renowned State Conservatory in Tbilisi. He showcased his talent in notable ensembles such as the "Georgika" folk song choir, the "Trioni" music pop band, and the wind orchestra of the K. Marjanishvili State Theater. Additionally, he gained valuable experience as an intern at the State Opera in Tbilisi. In 2011, Temo was awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Goethe Institute in Tbilisi.

In 2012, Temo ventured to Austria as an exchange student. From 2014, he honed his skills under the guidance of esteemed professors Barbara Gisler-Haase and Florian Aichinger at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. In 2018, he successfully completed his Master's degree in flute performance. He then pursued a Master's degree in chamber music, which he completed with honors in 2022 under the mentorship of professors Gottfried Pokorny and Sonja Korak. Temo furthered his musical education through enriching master classes led by renowned flutists such as Peter Lukas Graf, Kersten McCall, Benoit Fromanger, Felix Renggli, Barthol Kuijken, and Mathieu Dufour.

Temo's exceptional talent has garnered him numerous accolades. He achieved first place in the Prof. Dichler Competition in Vienna and received recognition at the International Woodwind and Brass Competition Varazdin. He was also a recipient of scholarships from the Dr. Robert and Lina Thyll-Dürr Foundation in Switzerland and the Werner Tripp Foundation in Austria during 2016-2017. In 2017, he had the privilege of performing as a solo flutist with the Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Kristjan Järvi. Temo has graced prestigious venues such as the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Herkulessaal in Munich, and the Dubai Opera.

Since 2018, Temo has formed a captivating musical partnership with pianist Ketevan Sepashvili, delighting audiences with their harmonious performances. Their collaborative efforts led to the release of their debut CD, "Undine," under the famous Austrian label "Gramola Records" in 2019. Following their successful debut at the Brahms Saal of the Vienna Musikverein in September 2020, Temo released his latest album, "Poetry of Silence." This remarkable composition features Giya Kancheli's miniatures performed alongside soprano Madina Karbeli and pianist Ketevan Sepashvili. In 2022, Temo shared his knowledge and passion through master classes at the State Conservatory in Tbilisi and the Paliashvili School, nurturing the musical talents of gifted children. He concluded the year by performing with the Bach Consort Wien, an Austrian Baroque ensemble, at the Vienna Chamber Opera.

Temo's devotion to the flute encompasses a diverse range of expressions. Whether as a member of a symphony orchestra, an interpreter of classical music, or an improviser of contemporary compositions, he brings forth his artistry with grace. He is a member of the "Vienna Ensemble" and the innovative "Trio Revolution."

Sandro Sidamonidze is a highly acclaimed cellist, renowned for his exceptional talent and captivating performances that seamlessly blend technical prowess with artistic expression. Hailing from a lineage of musical prodigies, Sidamonidze's lifelong dedication to his craft has propelled him to the forefront of the classical music scene.he is also a proud recipient of the distinguished Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts, a testament to his lasting impact on the cultural landscape.

Recognized as a fervent advocate for classical music, Sidamonidze's influence extends far and wide, captivating audiences in Germany, the United States, and his native Georgia. Media outlets have praised his commanding stage presence, with newspapers, radio broadcasts, and television programs highlighting his remarkable performances. Notably, he was personally invited to participate in the prestigious "Georgian Overtones" project at the United Nations, a testament to his artistry on the momentous occasion of Georgia's 100th independence anniversary. Furthermore, Sidamonidze showcased his extraordinary talent with a captivating concert at the headquarters of the UK Government, hosted by Dame Fanny Waterman, founder of the renowned Leeds International Pianoforte Competition. His captivating performance for the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, left a lasting impression. Sidamonidze's collaborations with esteemed cellists and appearances at renowned festivals, such as the "Cello Season" Festival in Georgia, have further solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the music world.

From an early age, Sidamonidze has garnered accolades and triumphed in prestigious competitions worldwide, marking significant milestones in his career. His debut performance at New York City's esteemed Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, where he emerged victorious in the highly competitive American Protégé Competition, showcased his exceptional talent. Sidamonidze's unwavering commitment to his craft has been recognized with numerous awards, including first prizes at the "Sixth Georgian Competition of Musician-Performers" and the esteemed "Chamber Music Competition" in Tbilisi, Georgia. He has consistently impressed judges and audiences alike, earning the Grand Prix and special prizes at the renowned "Second Amirejibi competition" and securing notable placements at esteemed competitions such as the Michigan ASTA competition and the Dombrovski International Competition. Recently, his remarkable artistry shone through at The Naftzger Young Artists Auditions and Music Awards, where he achieved the esteemed second-place prize.

Sidamonidze's captivating performances have taken him to stages around the world, where he has enthralled audiences with the Georgian Sinfonietta at the acclaimed "Easter to Ascension" Festival and participated in prestigious music festivals like the Newport Music Festival and Telavi International Music Festival. His global presence has also graced renowned venues, including the Lansing Symphony Orchestra Chamber and the MSU West Circle, leaving an indelible mark on the music scene. Sidamonidze's artistic endeavors have taken him on captivating musical journeys across Italy, Russia, Armenia, Germany, and beyond.

Collaborating with esteemed artists, Sidamonidze has shared his musical brilliance with Stephanie Chase, Giya Kancheli, Francisco Fullana, Ian Watson, Misha Keylin, Jacqueline Choi, Sergey Antonov, Gianluca Marcianò, Dmitri Berlinsky, Walter Verdehr, and Yuri Gandelsman, among others. His dedication to honing his craft has been enriched through masterclasses and studies with world-renowned cellists such as Natalia Gutman, Suren Bagratuni, Wen-Sinn Yang, Peter Bruns, Jacqueline Choi, and Wolfgang Boettcher. A graduate of the esteemed Z. Paliashvili Central Music School in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sidamonidze received invaluable guidance from Peter Bagration-Davitashvili and Otar Chubinishvili. Currently pursuing a Doctor of musical arts degree at StonyBrook University under the esteemed tutelage of Professor Colin Carr, where he continues to refine his artistry.

Notably, Sidamonidze has also made significant contributions to the world of music through his recordings. He has collaborated with the oldest Austrian recording label, Gramola, to record pieces by renowned composer Arvo Pärt with world renowned pianist Ketevan Sepashvili, showcasing his artistic prowess and commitment to bringing exceptional music to audiences worldwide.

Sidamonidze's passion for music extends beyond his solo performances. He is an integral member of the Viennese-based "Trio Revolution," a captivating ensemble comprising flute, cello, and piano. Additionally, he assumes prestigious roles as the Principal Cellist of the revered Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and the Assistant Principal Cellist of the esteemed Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Sidamonidze's commitment to nurturing talent is evident in his role as a distinguished cello professor at Albion College, where he shares his knowledge and inspires the next generation of musicians.