Orpheus Violinist
I have known Orpheus Leander Papafilippou for a few years now. He has a very pleasant demeanour in his day to day dealings.
He is a very versatile, dedicated musician and a very fine Violin player. His repertoire includes folk Romanian compositions to concerti by Mozart, which I have heard him play with aplomb. He is equally comfortable as a soloist, concertmaster or leader of a string quartet.
I cannot recommend him too highly.
Naresh Sohal July 4, 2013
‘violinist Orpheus Leander gave a magical rendition of Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending‘ Music in Hospitals Charity Gala Concert
Ralph Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending Ukranian Cathedral
‘Balance was immaculate in Orpheus Leander’s fresh reading of ‘Summer’ from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. He achieved a beautiful, sustained pianissimo in the slow movement. Cunningham directed from the harpsichord providing a sparkling and sympathetic accompaniment..... a highly skilled group of musicians’ Classical Source by Jens Fredriksen 2017
Bruch Violin Concerto No 1 in G Minor Op 26 - Moments
Orpheus Leander Papafilippou - Violinist
Orpheus performs as a soloist. He is the leader of the Orfeas String Quartet and is the artistic director of the Music of the Spheres Ensemble. Orpheus’s performances have taken him to Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Orpheus studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, who awarded him a scholarship to further his solo studies with Carmel Kaine in Australia. Whilst at the Academy Orpheus had the opportunity of studying under and working with some of the worlds greatest musicians including Arvo Part, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Sir Colin Davis, Erich Gruenberg and Zvi Zeitlin.
His postgraduate studies were at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music aided by scholarships from Trinity College of Music, whilst there he led the Wren Ensemble for three consecutive years and the Contemporary Music Group he also formed the Orfeas String Quartet that would become the heart of his future ensemble and creative programing and direction.
His prizes include first prize in the Concerto Competition at the Richmond Music Festival playing the Sibelius Violin Concerto and the Silver Medal at the Marlow Music Festival. Important musical influences and mentors include Norbert Brainin of the Amadeus String Quartet, soloist and leader Michael Bochmann and internationally renowned pianist Alberto Portugheis with whom Orpheus performs chamber music.
High points include: performing Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 and Sarasate Zigeunerweisen with the Music of the Spheres Ensemble at St Martin in the Fields, Vivaldi Four Seasons in the UK, Greece, Austria and China, performances of the Beethoven Violin Concerto, Bruch Violin Concerto No 1, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor Op 64, the World Premier of ‘A Greek in New York’, Concerto for Violin and Chamber Ensemble by Denise Mangiardi, written for Orpheus. The World Premier of the ‘Ukrainian Fantasy’ by Alla Sirenko with violist Andriy Viytovych for violin, viola and Orchestra. Orpheus gave the UK Premier of Ezio Bosso’s ‘Sea Rain’ for Violin and Strings with the composer conducting. Solo tango violinist with the Balletboyz in the Queen Elizabeth Hall South Bank Centre. Playing with the Philharmonia Orchestra and performing for her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
As a soloist Orpheus has close working relationships with several upcoming conductors including, Bridget Cunningham director of London Early Opera, Scott Wilson (Boston - London), Luke Cleghorn (Vienna). Composer Aziza Sadkiova, a rising star in Berlin has written several solo and chamber works for Orpheus which he has recorded and performed to critical acclaim.
As a soloist he has shared the stage with violists Professor Yuri Zhislin Royal College of Music including performances of Mozart Sinfonia Concertante and Andriy Viytovych principal Violist, Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
He has performed recitals in the UK, Europe and China. In August 2019 he gave a series of solo performances in Corfu at the Gina Bachauer International Festival invited by Constantine P. Carambelas - Sgourdas.
In March 2011 Orpheus gave a series of performances of ‘The Lark Ascending’ touring England with the generous support of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Charity. In 2016 he made his Austrian debut to critical acclaim in Vienna performing ‘The Lark Ascending’. In 2019 his debut CD as a soloist ‘Colours of Europe’ came out, with works by Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Dinicu, Sadikova and Sarasate.
He has appeared on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Cypriot National Television and recorded for BBC radio.
In addition to his work as a performer he enjoys composing music for the theatre and has had several successful scores performed both on and off London’s West End.