About
Aphrodite Raickopoulou is an independent composer and performer born in Athens, Greece. Her compositional skills have been hailed by critics and audiences at the staging of Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau’s classic silent masterpiece “ FAUST “ with the world premiere of her original soundtrack. This live screening was showcased at London’s Southbank Centre & performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2012, receiving raving success. “ FAUST “ was presented by celebrated actor Hugh Grant, under the artistic patronage of Jeremy Isaacs. Benjamin Wallfisch, the multiple award winning composer and conductor led the orchestra, featuring extemporaneous piano improvisations performed by composer & pianist, Gabriela Montero.
Aphrodite has enjoyed a close partnership with independent producer Carmen Zgouras who created these captivating shows in London and acted as the artistic director and liaison in all performances and live screenings.
Aphrodite’s orchestral scores have been performed by the London Philharmonia Orchestra, the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra, Novaya Rossiya Orchestra, Athens ERT Radio Symphony Orchestra, Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra & Members of the Budapest Film Orchestra. Her compositions have been interpreted by a stellar lineup of conductors: Benjamin Wallfisch, Frank Strobel, Denis Vlasenko, Anastasios Simeonidis, Lisa Xanthopoulou, Nikos Tsouchlos, Marios Papadopoulos & Robin Page, her much beloved composition tutor.
Her original score for Edmund Goulding’s “ Love “, starring the legendary Greta Garbo, was dedicated to the riveting violin virtuoso, Vadim Repin, whose world premier performance at London’s Royal Festival Hall in 2016 was a tour de force to remember. Conducted by Frank Strobel and performed live by the Philharmonia Orchestra, “ Love “ subsequently toured in Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, The Red Square & Novosibirsk’s Arnold Katz Concert Hall at the invitation of Vadim Repin, the artistic director of the Trans-Siberian Art Festival.
“It’s True Love…” Ben Lawrence | The Telegraph
Aphrodite commenced her music studies in Athens, Greece, at a very early age with Professor Andreas Economou & later under the supervision of the renowned pianist and pedagogue, Max Hallecker. She moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music where she studied piano under the tuition of Frank Wibaut. While a student at the Academy, Aphrodite was encouraged and influenced by her professors, Nick Ingman, Nigel Clarke and Robin Page to develop and expand her compositional skills & repertoire. Aphrodite has been invited by the British Red Cross to compose the symphonic suite “ A Tribute to the Maestro “ in honour of the late great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti & has also performed as a soloist with the legendary Jose Carreras, in aid of the “ Jose Carreras Leukaemia Foundation.
Aphrodite has featured on National Greek Television & Radio as a guest of celebrated greek composer, Nikos Kypourgos and as a contributing speaker on BBC 4’s radio programme “ Darwin’s Tunes “ , a broadcast recommended on demand by London’s Radio Times & BBC Focus Magazine: “ Can we apply Darwin’s theory of natural selection to music and create the perfect song? “ Darwin’s Tunes was presented by evolutionary biologist, Professor Armand Leroi of Imperial College, London. Her music has also featured on BBC’s Radio 3 “ In Tune “ by maverick broadcaster Sean Rafferty.
Aphrodite is currently crafting innovative soundscapes through digital experimentation. She is passionate about weaving together diverse musical threads with the exploration of new sonic territories.
Her latest work, THETA Θ is a spectral dance of sound and sight, a solely independent production recorded with 6 session musicians, plus virtual orchestras and acoustics derived directly from nature.
We live in a concrete jungle & we bring it back to life with Sound!
Aphrodite is an independent artist.
Thank you for reading!