Paxos Festival

Uwe Matschke

“In any case, Matschke demonstrated a culture of key stroke that imbued every note with vibrant life. It was wonderful to hear how the instrument began to “sing” in his hands during the lyrical passages…”, Helmut Netzel, Journal «Volkszeitung»

“With a lot of passion, brilliant technique, and rhythmic fire, penetrating the structure of the phrases and following faithfully its waves and dramatic outbursts, Uwe Matschke succeeded without a trace of deviation, with utmost concentration and maximum truth, always in the right direction and the right mood. A great pianist, a connoisseur of the irrationality of music.”, K.Schina, Journal “I Kathimerini”

Cycle of 32 Beethoven sonatas for piano: „The apotheosis of high interpretive art in works that are considered familiar until they reveal themselves as a treasure trove of unforeseen interpretive possibilities. “, G. Leotsakos, Journal “Express”

“Matschke played a Brahms that we had never imagined before: we were confronted with an unprecedented interpretive maturity, an identification of the artist with the instrument and the music in a world that is not easily accessible. We particularly appreciated a mental strength that pushed the whole world aside, as if to say: ‘This is who I am, take it or leave it!'”, G. Leotsakos, Critics` Point

The pianist Uwe Matschke was born in Germany. He studied at the University of Music Franz Liszt in Weimar as a student of professor Juliane Lerche. Postgraduate studies followed at the Academy of Music in Budapest after obtaining a state scholarship. Pianists such as Jacob Leitner and Peter Solymmos, whose seminars he attended frequently at the “International Music Seminar” in Weimar influenced him in his artistic evolution. Furthermore, he successfully participated in international piano competitions in Germany, Hungary and Italy.

He began teaching piano at the University of Music in Weimar. Today he lives and works in Greece and holds the chair for piano performance at the Department of Music Science and Art of the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki. Ηe has repeatedly been a judge on the committee for the Helexpo International Chamber Music Competition.

Uwe Matschke has given solo concerts in Moscow, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Porto, Leipzig and Dresden amongst others. His skillful way of interpretation, which is characterized by its great sensitivity has been widely acclaimed amongst music critiques. As a soloist he has played along orchestras from many European countries such as the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, “Virtuosi di Praga”, the State Orchestra of Athens, State Orchestra of Thessaloniki and the “Orchestra of Colors” to name a few.

In chamber music he has played with a great variety of groups, which enjoy international fame and recognition like the Gewandhausquartett Leipzig, the Leipziger Streichquartett, the String Quintet of Dresden, during which he had the chance to collaborate with internationally acclaimed soloists like V. Hudecek, V. Milanova – violin, K. Feltz – violoncello, L. F. Rabin – song. He has appeared in international festivals as well and performed at famous Concert Halls like the Braunschweiger Festival, Erfurter Festival, the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Mozart Gesellschaft München, Cemal Resit Rey Konser Salonou in Istanbul, Dimitria Festival in Thessaloniki, the Athens Concert Hall and the Thessaloniki Concert Hall.

Recordings of Uwe Matschke’s interpretations have been made in the studios of the German, Greek and Cypriot public radio and television. His discography includes works by Bach, Schumann, Schubert, Liszt, Mussorgsky as well as historic and modern greek composers. Uwe Matschke’s numerous recordings have been released by EMI, Virgin Records, Irida Classical and University of Macedonia Press.