“ASTRAL THREADS” LYDIA LINARDOU & IRO MENEGOU in 20th and 21st century works for two pianos by Kouroupos, Nasopoulou, Berio, Crumb, Márquez, Piazzolla
PART A
“ASTRAL THREADS” LYDIA LINARDOU & IRO MENEGOU in 20th and 21st century works for two pianos
Camille Saint-Saëns – Danse Macabre (1874)
Manuel de Falla – Ritual Fire Dance (1915)
Darius Milhaud – Scaramouche (1937)
George Crumb – Otherworldly Resonances (2003)
Aspasia Nasopoulou – Andria (2005)
Astor Piazzolla – Soledad (1969)
George Kouroupos – Concertino (2002) (arr. for two pianos by K. Raptis)
A concert that is weaved through works from the 20th and 21st centuries for 2 pianos. Pianists Lydia Linardou and Iro Menegou search for concepts of connection, creating a continuous play of echoes and returns. The sound threads traverse time and space, giving us the impression that music is not something that can only be listened to, but something that can also be experienced in retraction from sounds. Similar to the threads that connect the past with the present, the compositions performed in this concert invite the audience to discover the dynamics of music communication and the essence of time through active listening and interaction. The concert includes compositions of Kouroupos, Nasopoulou, Berio, Crumb, Marquez and Piazzolla, works which bring forth the contemporary musical language and the ever-going exploration of the piano’s potential.
PART B
The Impact of Nutrition and Exercise on Metabolic Diseases: Presentation Aikaterini Skenderi
Metabolic diseases are conditions related to disorders in metabolism—that is, the process by which the body converts food into energy. These disorders may be caused by either genetic (inherited) factors or acquired factors, such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, or lifestyle. Therefore, they are considered diseases that are closely related to an individual’s way of life.
Metabolic diseases can affect the balance of blood sugar, lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), blood pressure, and body weight. The consequences of these imbalances can lead to conditions such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Nutrition and exercise play a key role in managing metabolic diseases. A healthy diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and high-quality fats—combined with regular physical activity, contributes to the regulation of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. In this way, the risk of developing or worsening metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome is significantly reduced.
Biographical Notes
Lydia Linardou is a pianist and music educator. She specializes in the contemporary piano repertoire (20th and 21st century) and in recent years, she has been dealing with the research of new teaching methods for the music education of multicultural and vulnerable populations.
She graduated from the Department of Music Studies of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In 2018, she obtained the Piano Diploma (Commentated Excellence and 1st Prize). She has also completed her studies in Higher Theory of Music with degrees in Harmony, Counterpoint, and Fugue. At the same time, she studied piano at the Ecole Normale De Musique de Paris where she obtained the Interpretation Degree “Brevet d’ Execution”. In 2021 she completed her postgraduate studies in music education and piano at the Maastricht Conservatorium (Netherlands). Today, she works as a music educator and piano teacher in private schools and at the Cultural Center of the municipality of Elefsina.
She has attended various piano, contemporary music, and chamber music masterclasses in Greece and abroad with internationally renowned pianists such as Lorenda Ramou, Domna Evnouchidou, Karolos Zouganelis, Dionysis Mallouhos, Sebastian Colombo, Katia Veekmans, Katia Lebedeva, Yoop Celis, Vladimir Viardo , David Lively, Balazs Skokolay, Klara Wurtz et al. Finally, she has appeared as a soloist but also as a member of chamber music ensembles, at classical and contemporary music concerts in Greece and the Netherlands, such as the Aeschylus Festival in Eleusis, the Maastricht Nights of Classical Music Festival, contemporary music concerts at the Athens Conservatory, National Greek Opera Athens etc.
Iro Menegou is a versatile pianist, performer, curator, and educator from Greece, with a deep commitment to contemporary music. Her work spans solo performances, ensemble collaborations, and educational initiatives, all aimed at promoting contemporary music creation and cultural exchanges. As a performer, Iro collaborates with composers to bring their works to life, whether as a soloist, with her ensembles, or through her students. She is a founding member of the Pythia Trio and Methexis Ensemble, both dedicated to presenting new and bold music. Additionally, she performs with the cinematic music ensemble “Bouche Fermée” and she is a member of the Music Theatre workshop ensemble “Enumerations”, designed under the homonymous work of the renowned Greek composer Georges Aperghis. Her performances have been featured in festivals and recitals in Greece, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania and Switzerland. Iro is also deeply involved in cultural management and music education. She was selected for the European Music Council’s fellowship program (2018-2020) and has since designed and organized European educational projects for young musicians and music teachers. Her work with the non-profit organization “beartive” includes notable events like the Music Diaries and the Taratsa International Film Festival. In 2018, she founded the international festival “Women Composing in the Balkans,” which was shortlisted for the Classical NEXT Innovation Award 2019. She also served as Production Manager for the 9th Cyprus New Music Festival in 2020 and joined the curatorial team for the “Music Bridge above Syngrou” Festival in Athens in 2024. Currently, she is the artistic director of the “Toyful Music Festival” in Cyprus. Iro’s educational background includes a Piano Diploma with Highest Distinction from the Athens Conservatory, where she studied under E. Alakiozidou, along with advanced studies in theory and double bass. She has participated in workshops and masterclasses focused on contemporary music, including “The Piano in the 20th & 21st century” led by Lorenda Ramou. She holds degrees in Music Science and Art as well as a Bachelor in Economics. Currently, Iro teaches piano and music theory at the Municipal Conservatory of Pylaia-Hortiatis, where she is the Coordinator for International Relations. Since 2023, she has been the Artistic Director of the Conservatory of De La Salle College in Thessaloniki.
Dr. Aikaterini Skenderi is a lecturer (EDIP) in the Department of Dietetics-Nutrition Science at the School of Health and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, since 2002. She is a member of the Laboratory of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, and her teaching includes independent courses on “Nutrition and Metabolism of Macronutrients,” “Nutrition and Metabolism of Micronutrients,” and “Disorders of Energy Regulation and Metabolism” in the undergraduate program, as well as “Ergochemistry and Metabolism” and “Special Topics in Nutrition Metabolism” in the Master’s program. She is also responsible for the Community Practice Internship and serves as the Departmental Coordinator for the Erasmus+ Program. Her written work includes one book and chapters in two other books. She has published 45 scientific papers and more than 50 abstracts. She has led various research projects. Her scientific interests mainly focus on lipid metabolism in pathological and non-pathological conditions, such as starvation, exercise, and disease; the study of lipoproteins in metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, vascular dysfunction; and the study of biomarkers and metabolic molecules in human metabolism related to health issues, including cardiovascular diseases.