Pianist and musicologist Magda Nikolaidou has performed widely across Europe, Egypt, and Russia as a soloist, chamber musician, and lecturer, showcasing a repertoire ranging from Baroque to contemporary works. In recent years, she has focused on Rachmaninov’s piano music, presenting lecture-recitals on his style at prestigious venues such as the Rachmaninov Institute (Tambov), Goldsmiths College, and the Athens Concert Hall. Her recordings include solo and duo piano works with Subways Music and LabMat.
Nikolaidou has taught piano in France and served on conservatory juries in Paris. She currently teaches piano and chamber music at several conservatories in Athens, continuing to share her passion for music with the next generation of musicians.
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7 January 2025 19:30
Biography
Pianist and musicologist Magda Nikolaidou was born in Athens, Greece. She has performed in numerous European countries, Egypt, and Russia.
Active as a soloist, chamber musician, and lecturer, she interprets works spanning from the Baroque era to the present. One of her most notable collaborations was with the late Alexander Ivashkin, one of the foremost cellists of his generation. Together, they performed at venues such as the Bellonio Cultural Center in Santorini, Greece, University of London, and the Opera of Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt.
Nikolaidou represented Greece at the “Cork, Cultural Capital of Europe 2005” musical festival (Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Ireland). She has also given several world premieres, including works written specifically for her or her ensembles. Noteworthy among these is the World Premiere of the 4 Greek Dances by N. Skalkottas (Rachmaninov Institute, Tambov, Russia) and the World Premiere of Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony (Athens Conservatoire, Greece), both transcribed for piano duo by pianist Nasos Grozas. She and Grozas are currently recording his piano duo transcriptions of Skalkottas’ tonal works, including “36 Greek Dances,” “The Sea,” and “Greek Dance in C Major.”
In recent years, Nikolaidou has deepened her focus on Rachmaninov’s piano works and compositional style. Since 2009, she has given numerous lecture-recitals on Rachmaninov’s musical language at venues such as the Rachmaninov Institute in Tambov, Deptford Town Hall and Goldsmiths College (University of London), and the Athens Concert Hall.
Nikolaidou has recorded works for solo piano and piano duo with Subways Music Recordings and LabMat (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens).
A curious and versatile artistic spirit, she enjoys integrating other art forms with music. This has led her to collaborate with visual artists, authors, and actors. Her performances include *Medea* (with director-performer Rafika Chawishe at the Abbey Festival, London), *Retroactive* (with visual artists Stella and Takis Kavalieratos, Benaki Museum, Athens), *Mikael* (by Theofanis Ioannou, with soprano Maira Milolidaki and actor Vasilis Liakos at the Athens Concert Hall), and *…Towards Ultimate Light…* (by Lida Tasopoulou, with Rafika Chawishe, Philippi Festival, Kavala).
Nikolaidou completed her studies in Greece (Piano Diploma from the Athens Conservatoire), France (Piano and Chamber Music Diplomas from the École Nationale de Gennevilliers, Paris, Maîtrise de Musicologie from the Sorbonne Paris IV), and the UK (Master of Performance and Related Studies from the University of London), under professors Josette Morata, Jeanne Claude Bouvresse, Pr. Philippe Cathé, Pr. Alexander Ivashkin, Andrew Zolinsky, and Pr. Christopher Elton. She is currently completing her thesis at the Sorbonne under the supervision of Pr. Philippe Cathé, focusing on Rachmaninov’s *Études-Tableaux* op. 33 & op. 39, with the support of the Aegeas – Athanasios & Marina Martinos Foundation.
From 2008 to 2016, she was a founding member and artistic director of the international festival *Ichos & Ikona* (Sound and Image), under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture. She is currently the artistic director of the Meleagris Art Festival in Spata, Attica, Greece.
During her time in France, Nikolaidou taught piano and served as a member of the jury at several Parisian conservatories. She is currently a professor of piano and chamber music at the National Conservatoire, Erateio Conservatoire, and Evmeleia Conservatoire in Athens, Greece. Her students have won numerous prizes in national and international piano and chamber music competitions.