Paxos Festival Trust

About us

The Paxos Music Festivals were the idea and inspiration of the late John Gough, a passionate musician and long-term resident on the island. The first performances in 1986 took place in John’s garden, close to Loggos.

John Gough with the Mistry Quartet, September 1986

Formation of the Trust

The Old Schoolhouse, Loggos

The Paxos Festival Trust was formed in 1987. Its purpose is to enable young musicians from the United Kingdom and Greece to share in the study and performance of chamber music works before audiences of Paxiots and visitors to the island. These concerts have been staged in various venues on the island including Gaios and Lakka, and most frequently the festival has been in residence in the Old Schoolhouse in Loggos. In the last few years the Trust has been able to expand its educational work, with visiting musicians working with local children to present a concert as part of the Autumn Festival.

The Autumn Chamber Music Festival

The Autumn Festival has undergone many transformations in the 26 years since its inception. Artistic leadership has come from eminent musicians including violinist Jagdish Mistry and pianists Caroline Palmer and Julian Jacobson. Since 2010, Australian pianist Lara Dodds-Eden has been Artistic Director.

The Spring New Music Festival

In 2004 the Trust inaugurated a Spring Festival devoted exclusively to 20th Century Chamber Music. Directed by four soloist members of the Ensemble Modern of Frankfurt on behalf of its International Academy, IEMA, the purpose of this new development was to provide selected Greek students and young professionals with intensive study and performance experience in new repertoire for ensemble.

25th Anniversary

In September 2011, the Festival celebrated its 25th Anniversary Year - read all about it.