by Mike Telin
On Thursday, July 24 during the finals of the Cooper International Piano Competition at Severance Music Center, Anna Avramidou made a major statement with her performance of Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 with The Cleveland Orchestra under the direction of Samy Rachid.
In his review, Daniel Hathaway of ClevelandClassical.com described the 17-year old Cypriot as “a thoughtful player who is well in command of dynamic changes. In the opening movement, she balanced well-rounded phrases with lightning bolts of technical passages and a beautiful cadenza.”
Although she was up against some stiff competition from Anwen Deng (16, Australia) and Sawako Harada (18, Japan), both of whom were awarded second prize, in the end the jury bestowed the $20,000 first prize on Avramidou.
We reached Anna Avramidou by phone in Oxford, England, where she was participating in the annual Oxford Piano Festival. I began our conversation by congratulating her on winning the Cooper Competition.
Anna Avramidou: Thank you very much.
Mike Telin: I enjoyed all of your performances, especially your Tchaikovsky at Severance with the Cleveland Orchestra. When the third and second place winners are announced you know you won, but you have to wait until your name is announced. I’m curious to know what goes through your head while you’re waiting to hear your name?
AA: I was very happy because all of the participants this year were on a very high level. So even if I got the second or third prize, I would be very happy because I know the people standing next to me are really incredible. But when they announced the first prize, of course I was very happy.
MT: Did you enjoy playing with the Cleveland Orchestra?
AA: Oh my, I think that was probably the best time that I have ever had playing because it is such a good orchestra — The Cleveland Orchestra and Samy Rachid were just incredible. During the rehearsal I was thinking about all the very famous pianists who have played with this orchestra, and it was just an honor for me to play with them.
MT: You were all given a number of concertos to choose from: why did you select the Tchaikovsky?
AA: I played the Tchaikovsky with orchestra before, but I thought that playing it with The Cleveland Orchestra would be even more exciting — especially in Severance Hall. It’s a very demanding concerto that is full of power and sensitivity. So I thought it would fit the venue and the orchestra. And I found out that it’s the conductor’s favorite concerto, so that made it even more exciting.
MT: You also played very well during your recital round: how did you come to choose Beethoven’s Appassionata, the Chopin Prelude in C-sharp minor Op.45 and his B-flat minor Sonata?
AA: I always decide with my teacher what to choose for my programs. For the Cooper we had two required pieces and one was a classical sonata. I chose the Appassionata because I feel it’s one of the sonatas where Beethoven really describes his suffering and pain — it was the time in his life when he realized he was losing his hearing.
I chose the Chopin Prelude because I think it’s a very sensitive Prelude that describes a painful memory. And I needed a calm piece to go between the heavy Beethoven and Chopin sonatas.
And like the Tchaikovsky, Chopin’s Sonata No. 2 is one of the pieces I’ve dreamed about playing since I was young. I’ve heard it in the Chopin competition and other big competitions, and I was like, I want to play it. And my teacher said okay, you can do it if you want to.
I’m very glad I did it because the Sonata links with death and it’s really difficult to bring that off. So yeah, my program was all about pain and suffering. But the Tchaikovsky is a dreamy piece and more powerful, so I think it made for a nice contrast.
[We both begin to laugh] It’s funny because I just now realized that my program really was all about pain and suffering.
MT: For a lighter topic: did you have a good time during the competition?
AA: I had a very good time. I met and had some chats with the other participants. I tried to enjoy the entire experience because even if you don’t get through a round, the result doesn’t change the fact that you are a good musician. Sometimes I’ve been stressed and I didn’t do as well, and that’s very normal, but the important thing is to try to enjoy it as much as you can.
But the experience was just wonderful — all of the jury members and the Oberlin organizers, especially Anna Hoffman, were all very nice.
MT: I know you’re in Oxford now. What are you doing the remainder of the summer?
AA: I came here right after I finished the competition. As for the rest of my summer, I’m trying to take some rest and prepare for my school year. I have final exams, and there’s quite a lot to do for that.
MT: You’re still at the school in London?
AA: Yes, the Purcell School for Young Musicians.
MT: So you are immersed in music 100% of the time.
AA: It’s what I love to do.
MT: When you’re not playing the piano, what do you do?
AA: This might sound a bit funny, but I actually like to play football (soccer). I love football. My brother plays football, so the whole family is into it. But I like to go out with my friends, or read, or just walk outside and look at nature. I think it’s really important.
MT: I agree. Back to football, I’m a huge Premier League fan. Do you have a favorite team?
AA: I’m actually with Manchester City. But lately they’re not doing as well as they used to, so I’m not sure if I’m going to change or not. But my whole family, they’re all with Liverpool.
MT: Anna, thank you so much for taking the time to talk. It was very enjoyable. And again, congratulations.
AA: Thank you so much for the talk — I enjoyed it very much.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com August 7, 2025.
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