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Composer

 

Lydia Kakabadse is a British composer of Georgian and Russian descent, born in London in 1955. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her father being a composer and her mother a pianist. From a young age, she was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano and singing in choirs. Kakabadse studied music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She continued her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she earned a Master of Music degree in composition. During her time at these institutions, she studied with notable composers such as Alan Bush, Robert Saxton, and Simon Bainbridge. Kakabadse's music is heavily influenced by her Georgian and Russian heritage, as well as her love for medieval and Renaissance music. Her compositions often feature lush harmonies, intricate melodies, and a sense of spirituality. She has written works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, choirs, and chamber groups. One of Kakabadse's most notable works is her oratorio, "The Souls of the Righteous," which was commissioned by the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music in 2012. The piece is based on texts from the Book of Wisdom and the Book of Revelation, and features a choir, soloists, and orchestra. The oratorio has been performed in several venues throughout the UK, including St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Another significant work by Kakabadse is her song cycle, "Songs of Life, Love and Loss," which was commissioned by the Oxford Lieder Festival in 2015. The cycle features settings of poems by Emily Bronte, Christina Rossetti, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, among others. The songs are performed by a soprano and a string quartet, and explore themes of love, death, and the beauty of nature. Kakabadse has also written several works for chamber groups, including her "Concerto for Piano and Strings," which was premiered by the London Mozart Players in 2017. The piece features a solo piano and a string orchestra, and showcases Kakabadse's skill at writing for both solo and ensemble instruments. In addition to her work as a composer, Kakabadse is also a singer and pianist. She has performed as a soloist and in ensembles throughout the UK and Europe, and has recorded several albums of her own compositions and arrangements. Overall, Lydia Kakabadse is a talented and versatile composer whose music reflects her diverse cultural background and love for classical and early music. Her works have been performed and recorded by numerous ensembles and soloists, and she continues to be an important figure in the contemporary classical music scene.

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