References

(translated from german)

"Mr. Linaki's technical skills at the harpsichord are simply breathtaking - in addition to his unusually wide range of sounds on this instrument he has an incredible virtuosity that is virtually unbeatable. Musically he convinces with a maturity that only a few reach.

One of the best harpsichordists of the new generation.

In addition, an exceptional pedagogical talent - profound, multi-layered, compelling, innovative and extraordinary. "

 

Prof. Tobias Lindner, fhnw / Schola Cantorum Basiliensis

"The teaching practice of Panos Linakis ingeniously combines technical training - for all key constellations - with an enormous wealth of theoretical and philosophical knowledge, on which one can draw on a whole musical life."

 

Johann Lieberknecht, student, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main (2018)

"Panos is an exceptional and versatile musician who combines stupendous harpsichord virtuosity with tasteful and profound interpretive approaches, moves freely and confidently in the field of historically oriented composition and improvisation and is extremely creative in developing his own didactic concepts and exercises and can convey it very cleverly. It's a pleasure to experience and collaborate with Panos as a musician or teacher. "

 

Prof. Jörg-Andreas Boetticher, Schola Cantorum Basiliensis

"Panos teaches with a lot of commitment and cordiality. It is important to him to convey to the students suggestions for the historical-critical interpretation and their own music making. The basis for this is the constant improvement and perfection of technique, which he trains with individual goal-oriented exercises in a humorous and motivating manner. He also manages to convey the historical practice of interpretation on the basis of contemporary sources and stimulates reflection by incorporating philosophical and contemporary historical considerations. It always brings great joy to have lessons with him.“

 

Lukas Adams, student, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main (2018)

"Once you have experienced Panos live, his art of improvisation and technical perfection, you are on the one hand completely fascinated and on the other hand, the question of how this is possible at all rises. In his lessons (I attend the improvisation seminar with him), he always finds catchy, understandable answers to this question, and one always proceeds with an enormous progress of knowledge from a lesson. In doing so, he deals with the individual knowledge and abilities super well. It is a tremendously great opportunity for every student, especially in the field of improvisation, to draw from his expertise.

The Musikhochschule Frankfurt is lucky to have such a professional among the teachers.“

 

Alexander von Heissen, student, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main (2019)

„The undoubtedly most significant development in the field of practical research and practice over the last 15 years or so has been the growing realization that musical languages of bygone eras can only be kept alive permanently if one is able to recognize their specific modules, components and their grammatical laws in such a degree that one can speak them "freely" and improvise with them.

Related to the music of the 17th and 18th Century, above all, it was the building of an approach to musical theory through historical theorems instead of function-centered analysis methods as well as the discovery and research of musical pattern-practice („Satzmodelle“), e. g. partimento practic, and its significance for the training of musicians over at least two centuries.

This development is due to a handful of musicians and scientists who have elevated the subject of "historical improvisation" both theoretically and practically on the instrument to one of the most important disciplines in the world of historical performance practice. One of these is the harpsichordist Panos Linakis, who works in several educational institutions, ia. at the HfMDK Frankfurt and proves that he is able to pass on these qualifications to students with great pedagogical skills.

Publications such as the Basso-Continuo-Realization of G. F. Handels Recorder Sonatas (Edition Walhall) reveal his competencies by bridging the gap between the theoretical and pracitcal field of application by applying newest theoretical findings on the practical work on the instrument.

I consider Mr. Linakis to be one of the most important persons in the field of historical interpretation:

 

A representative of the ‚state of art‘!"

 

Prof. Michael Schneider, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main

"Panos is a wonderful teacher, with whom every minute spent is valuable. His narratives and explanations go far beyond the boundaries of the subject and address the important laws of mindset and perception. I was thrilled with every lesson and came out with the desire to continue learning and discovering. "

 

Dmitry Ablogin, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main

"Panagiotis Linakis is a tremendously accomplished improviser at the harpsichord with an impressive background knowledge and it's always a pleasure to listen to him!"

 

Univ. Carsten Lorenz

MUK - Music and Art Private University of Vienna / Department of Early Music

„Panos was such an inspiring and life teacher! I feel privileged to have been one of his harpsichord students and always looked forward to my lessons, because I learnt a lot, whilst having fun.”

 

Marlene Crone, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main

„I appreciate Panagiotis Linakis as an outstanding harpsichordist with a special talent for continuo playing and for stylistic improvisation according to the traditional forms and patterns of the 17th and 18th centuries.

In addition he is an outstanding teacher with a clearly structured teaching concept, which is based on the sources of historical basso continuo- and improvisation schools and thus gives a refreshingly lively way of playing for our time.“

 

Joachim Eichhorn, church musician, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main

"Panos Linakis is one of the most gifted and knowledgeable young musicians I have known and is also an engaging and inspiring teacher.  I had the good fortune of taking second-study harpsichord lessons with him after completing doctoral studies in music in the USA and was astonished not only by his encyclopedic knowledge but also by his command of the languages of Baroque composition and improvisation practice."

 

Benjamin Shute, Oklahoma Baptist University 

"I studied harpsichord with Mr. Panos Linakis for two years as my minor subject at the HfMDK Frankfurt. I particularly liked his interpretation lessons.We worked with different models, so called ‚improvisation modules’. The systematic learning of these models has given me more security and self-confidence in my playing. In addition Mr. Linakis always gave me a lot of scientific information that was helpful in interpreting the music.

Studying with Mr. Linakis have been two very valuable years, in which my musical skills and professional knowledge have grown considerably. "

 

Ayumi Tawa-Baffo, student, HfMDK Frankfurt am Main (2015)