About
Nikoloz Rachveli is a Music Director and Principal Conductor of Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra; composer and solo performer(piano), Laureate of the Rustaveli Premium and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Georgia.
In 2005 he has graduated from the Tbilisi State Conservatoire Composition Department under direction of Georgian composer Bidzina Kvernadze. In 1999-2003 studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. During his studies, Nikoloz Rachveli has passed master classes with such composers, as Pierre Boulez, Luciano Berio, Michael Jarrell, etc.
In the various years he has collaborated with the Opera and Ballet State Theatre Symphony Orchestra, Rijeka Opera Symphony Orchestra and Choir (Croatia), Ingolstadt Georgian Chamber Orchestra, Parnu Symphony Orchestra (Estonia), State Symphony Orchestra of Russia, Moscow Symphony Orchestra MCO (Russia), Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra (Ukraine), Kremerata Baltica, Georgian State String Quartet, etc.; composers and musician-performers: Alexander Toradze, Liana Isakadze, Paata Burchuladze, Nodar Gabunia, Josef Bardanashvili, Tigran Mansurian, Franghiz Ali- Zadeh, Michel Legrand, Kim Kashkashian, Nino Ananiashvili, Lisa Batiashvili, Khatia Buniatishvili, Yuri Bashmet, David Geringas, Gidon Kremer, Alexander Korsantia, Michele Crider, Dudana Mazmanishvili, Katia Ricciarelli, Giuseppe Giacomini, Lado Ataneli, Makvala Kasrashvili, Badri Maisuradze, Anita Rachvelishvili, Nino Machaidze, Tamar Iveri, Giorgi Gagnidze, Katia Skanavi, Alexander Markovich, Valerian Shiukashvili, Maxim Risanov, Andres Mustonen, Giorgi Kharadze, Ariel Zuckermann, Sergei Nakariakov, Rusher Saxophone Quartet, Federico Mondelci, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, Avi Avitali, Chris Botti, Sting, Bjork, Lisa Fisher, Take 6, Beka Gochiashvili, Nani Bregvadze, Nato Metonidze, Nino Katamadze and many others.
His Piano Concerto “Introversion” was premiered first at the Carnegie Hall and later at the Berlin Konzerthaus (soloist – Dudana Mazmanishvili); In Tbilisi and Petersburg Rachveli’s Symphonic Piece “The Answer” was performed; his Symphonic opus in the minimal style “The way home and back” was published as a CD in Vienna. His vocal-instrumental piece “The Rest is Silence”, dedicated to the world known Georgian mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili was premiered at the Teatro alla Scala in December 2016. The world premiere of his “The Silver Sun” took place at the Hamburg ElbPhilharmonie in 2018. As a composer of David Doiashvili’s theatre stagings, Nikoloz Rachveli has received various Prizes for the best music, among them Croatian National Prize and National Prize of Georgia. He is the author of music for films by Giorgi Shengelaia, Kakha Melitauri and Rezo Gigineishvili.
Nikoloz Rachveli is the founder of the Contemporary Music Festival KONTRAPUNKT. He closely cooperates with the Georgian composers. An exclusive place in the creative life of Nikoloz Rachveli belongs to Giya Kancheli and his works. During his direction, Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra has performed at the various worldwide venues, among them: Athens and Frankfurt Concert Halls, Paris Les Invalides, Pierre Cardin Center, UNESCO Concert Hall and Salle Pleyel, Petersburg Dmitri Schostakovich Philharmonie, Berlin Konserthaus, Brussels Centre for Fine Arts BOZAR, Strasbourg Convention Centre, Tallinn NORDEA Concert Hall, Hamburg ElbPhilharmonie, Frankfurt ALTE OPER, etc.
In 2020 Deutsche Grammophon realized Lisa Batiashvili’s New Album CITY LIGHTS with Nikoloz Rachveli’s original orchestral versions. The Album was recorded in Berlin by Rundfunk- Sinfonieorchester and in Tbilisi by Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra. Special guests: Katie Melua, Till Bronner, Milosh and Maximilian Hornung. In 2022 the additional single with Nikoloz Rachveli’s Symphonic Khorumi was realized.