Album Notes

DUO MELIS
Classical Guitar

Susana Prieto and Alexis Muzurakis made their debut as the Guitar Duo Melis in 1999 at the International Guitar Festival of Volos, Greece. Since then they have performed in prestigious halls including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Megaron in Athens and the Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. Their flare and artistry have resulted in invitations to play concerts and give master classes in international guitar festivals in Europe and America.
Duo Melis has collaborated with international orchestras including the Berliner Symphoniker, the Neubrandenburger Philharmonie, the Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie, the Radio Orchestra of Bucharest and the National Orchestra of Thessaloniki conducted by Leo Brouwer.
Their wide repertory spans from baroque music to the music of Piazzolla and Ginastera. Devoted to historical research on the performing practices of the 19th century, whenever possible they use period instruments to perform the repertoire of the period. Their repertoire also includes concertos for two guitars and orchestra by Rodrigo and Vivaldi.
Susana, from Spain, and Alexis, from Greece, have won numerous prizes, both individually and together. In 1999, as a duo, they won first prize at the International Guitar Duo Competition of Frechen (Germany). The next year they won the prestigious Guitar Duo Competition of Montelimar (France) as well as the 21st International Guitar Duo Competition “Mauro Giuliani” (Italy). In 2001 they captured the Duo/Ensemble prize at the Chamber Music Competition of Leipzig (Germany) and the same year were the winners at the International Guitar Duo Competition of Paris (France). In 2003 they recorded their first CD after winning the recording prize “Citta di Verona” at the International Chamber Music Competition “Gaetano Zinetti” (Italy). In 2005 they successfully auditioned for the Yehudi Menuhin Society Live Music Now.
In addition to their European engagements, Duo Melis is quickly becoming in demand in the USA. Their first USA tour in 2007 includes stops in Cleveland, Ohio, and San Francisco, California. Their 2008 calendar begins with a recital in Bloomington, IN, and a recital for the GFA Convention in San Francisco in August.
Since 2006 they have taught at the Conservatoire National de Region de Strasbourg in France.