Spyros Mourikis

Spyros Mourikis, born in 1974, began his studies with Charalambos Farantatos at the Athens Conservatory, where he earned a Diploma with the Gold Prize. Further training took place at the Paris Conservatory under Michel Arrignon and Maurice Bourgue, from which he graduated in 1995 with the First Prize. In 1997, Mourikis won First Prize at the Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition in Odense and received the Young Artist Prize from the Greek Association of Theatre and Music Reviewers.

As a soloist, Mourikis frequently performs with all major Greek orchestras, including the Athens State Orchestra, Thessaloniki State Orchestra, Armonia Atenea, and the Greek National Radio Symphony. International engagements have included concerts with the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, Azerbaijan National Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra, European Union Wind Ensemble, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mexico City Symphony Orchestra, Odense Symphony Orchestra, Paris Conservatory Orchestra, Southwest Germany Philharmonic Orchestra, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, and Music Aeterna Orchestra.

A sought-after jury member, Mourikis has been invited to judge numerous international clarinet competitions, including the “Carl Nielsen” and “Gheorghi Dima” competitions. His teaching engagements have included masterclasses and lectures across Europe and the United States, with notable invitations from the Nielsen Society, Bremen Hochschule, Manhattan School of Music, Vandoren Music House, and Paderewski Music Academy.

Mourikis’ discography features recordings of the Brahms and Mozart clarinet quintets with the Paris Opera Bastille String Quartet (Agora), the Nielsen Clarinet Concerto with the Odense Symphony Orchestra (Danish Radio), and Reflexion des Preludes for clarinet and orchestra by Danish composer Erik Bach with the Symphony Orchestra of Aarhus (Da Capo).

Throughout his career, he has held prominent roles, including Principal Clarinetist with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. In recent years, Mourikis has served as Principal Clarinetist with the Armonia Atenea Orchestra, performing as a soloist on period clarinets. Currently, he performs with Musica Aeterna Orchestra as a guest solo clarinetist.

In addition, Mourikis holds the position of Solo Clarinetist with the Athens State Orchestra and teaches clarinet at the Athens Conservatory.

Source: Backun