Christmas Gala on 22 December 2006
"...We chose to express our thanks with a performance by the CAMERATA EUROPÆA of works by Greek composers. The ensemble's aim of representing the musical culture of Europe, in conjunction with the artistic director's particular expertise for Greek art music, won the audience over as soon as the first tones were heard. Our enthusiasm knew no bounds as we were treated to Nikos Skalkottas' Greek dances from the 1930's and the Suite Concertante by the contemporary composer Periklis Koukos, works inspired by the traditional elements of our home country that deeply moved all present. This expert performance of the rhythmically challenging Greek works by the international ensemble of the CAMERATA EUROPÆA was an immense success. The musicians' pleasure and enjoyment in accessing works that are so rarely performed in this country was tangible, and we strongly believe they will also succeed in performing works from other European countries with an equally high level of musical flexibility. We marvelled at the ensemble's precise musical direction by the conductor Maria Makraki and at the apparent ease with which she directed the interaction between the ensemble and the pianist Dimitris Koukos, as though it were merely a congenial dialogue between equal partners. The enthusiastic applause at the end of the concert was followed by numerous requests by members of the enthralled audience for a recording of the works performed, or at least a repeat of the concert. We would like to thoroughly recommend the CAMERATA EUROPÆA as the leading authority on the European music culture."
(Achilleas Lykos, in: Newsletter of the Greek Cultural Centre Berlin, December 23, 2006)