Listening to Colours

On Sunday May 14, seven young musicians will showcase their talent and reveal the magic of synaesthesia by “dressing” music with colours at the B&E Goulandris Foundation, as part of the Piano City Athens festival.

What is synaesthesia? Our brain processes visual and auditory stimuli in different compartments. For some people these paths cross, resulting in the phenomenon of synaesthesia: when listening to specific sounds they see colours and vice versa. This particular type of synaesthesia is called chromesthesia.

At the concerts that will take place at the B&E Goulandris Foundation, visual art will meet music. Based on studies that have matched colours to specific tonalities, each artist will perform works by different composers from the Baroque period up to the 20^th century. Each composition corresponds to a particular colour, depending on its scale, while the selection of all works has been based on the artworks of the Foundation’s Collection. The young soloists will create a colourful palette through music, as during each concert lighting will adjust to the tonality of each work.

The Piano City Athens festival brings people together through music. From May 12 through May 14 the city will turn into an enormous concert hall, with many different piano concertos taking place in public and private venues, transforming the urban landscape.

Concert Programme

Artistic direction: Irene Anastasiou

10.00-10.45
Stratos Archondis Chopin, Beethoven, Bach Colours: red-violet-purple-light blue-blue B&E Goulandris Foundation Collection work: Michael Madenis, Winter, 2017
11.15-12.00
Maria Eleni Arvanitidou Tribute to Philip Glass Colours: rose-green-violet-light blue-rose B&E Goulandris Foundation Collection work: Paul Klee, Dynamics of a Head, 1934
12.30-13.15
Eva Zafiropoulou Satie, Bach, Liszt, Chopin Colours: red-violet-green-blue-rose B&E Goulandris Foundation Collection work: Marc Chagall, Portrait of E.B.G., 1969
13.45-14.30
Zoi Kapsyli Bach, Beethoven, Scriabin Colours: green-red-white B&E Goulandris Foundation Collection work: Joan Miró, 1000th Open Heart Marie Lannelongue, 1972
15.00-15.45
Giorgos Kefalas Bach, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin Colours: light blue-green-blue B&E Goulandris Foundation Collection work: Anna Maria Tsakali, The Dream of Plants, 2014-2015
16.15-17.00
Ioanna Kouzi Ravel, Schumann, Bach, Chopin, Berio Colours: yellow-orange-rose-yellow-white B&E Goulandris Foundation Collection work: Constantin Andréou, Cosmogonie 3, 1993
17.30-18.15
Daniil Kolanian Bach, Schumann, Liszt, Chopin Colours: green-blue-red B&E Goulandris Foundation Collection work: Pablo Picasso, Profile of Woman (Jacqueline), 1969

READ MORE ABOUT THE CONCERT PROGRAMME

Listening to Colours

PIANO CITY ATHENS 2023

Sunday May 14 | 10.00-18.00
Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation Amphitheatre

Admission is free. Online booking is necessary, at goulandris.gr