NAME: Pantelis Despotidis of ??? and ????
PLACE OF BIRTH: Amorgos
PLACE OF DEATH:
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Athens
SPOUSE / MAIDEN NAME: Unknown / Unknown
PROFESSION: Musician
INSTRUMENT: Violin
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Pantelis Despotidis was born in Amorgos. He studied violin at the Athens Conservatory with Vassilis Skantzourakis and Frederikos Volonini, receiving his Diploma Summa cum laude. At the Athens Conservatory he also studied chamber music for several years with Leda Kouroukli. In 1962 the “Vassilis Skantzourakis” competition was announced with the prize being his own “Galliano” violin, which Pantelis Despotidis won. After completing his studies he made a series of appearances as a soloist with the Athens State Orchestra as well as numerous solo recitals in and outside Athens. He worked with the Athens Municipal Quartet from 1963 to 1965 and founded the Athens Quartet in 1967, then the Athens String Trio in 1970, and the Athens Quartet in 1972. In 1975 he was awarded the position of first violin in the National Opera Orchestra; in 1978 he was appointed full professor of the Athens Conservatory. From his studio several talented violinists have graduated who today fill important positions in Greek State Orchestras (Athens State Orchestra, National Opera Orchestra, National Radio Orchestras, etc.). In 1981 he was awarded the position of first violin in the Athens State Orchestra. He also toured in cities in Spain as a soloist with the Athens Camerata under the baton of Vyron Kolasis, and – as first violin – with string ensembles in England and Italy. In 1986 he founded the Athens Octet with which he performed many shows in Athens and in provincial cities. Subsequently, he founded the Violin Department at the Attiko Conservatory. Today, he continues his artistic activities and teaching.