Leonidas Kavakos: From Stradivarius Mastery to the Luiz Amorim Violin Project

Leonidas Kavakos is widely regarded as one of the most influential violinists of his generation.

Renowned for his technical precision, intellectual depth, and uncompromising musical standards, he has built a career that spans the world’s most prestigious concert halls, recordings, and orchestras.

Beyond his achievements as a soloist and conductor, Kavakos continues to shape the classical music landscape through his artistic collaborations and commitment to preserving the tradition of fine violin making.

This article explores who Leonidas Kavakos is, the milestones that define his career, the historic instrument he plays, and the unique project that connects his artistry with master luthier Luiz Amorim.

Who Is Leonidas Kavakos?

Leonidas Kavakos is one of the most acclaimed violinists of our time, his name is synonymous with technical brilliance, artistic depth, and musical integrity.

Born into a musical family in Athens in 1967, Kavakos began studying violin at age five and quickly rose through the international ranks of classical music thanks to both prodigious talent and rigorous training with renowned teachers like Stelios Kafantaris and Josef Gingold

His global reputation was established early through major competition victories: including top prizes at the Jean Sibelius, Paganini, Naumburg, and Indianapolis International Violin Competitions, achievements that launched his career on the world’s greatest stages.

Beyond solo performance, Kavakos has developed a strong profile as a conductor and chamber musician, working with elite orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra. 

Today, he is also a respected recording artist with Sony Classical and has been recognized with awards like Gramophone Artist of the Year and Echo Klassik Instrumentalist of the Year. 

His career blends profound musical mastery with forward-looking artistic leadership and an ongoing commitment to teaching and mentorship through annual masterclasses in Athens and academic appointments. 

Achievements

Over the course of his career, Leonidas Kavakos has built an extraordinary record of achievements that places him among the leading figures of contemporary classical music. His early international recognition came through major competition successes, including winning the Sibelius Competition in 1985, followed by victories at the Paganini and Naumburg Competitions in 1988, as well as a high placement at the Indianapolis Competition.

Kavakos has also been widely celebrated for his recording work. His recording of the original version of the Sibelius Violin Concerto received the Gramophone Award for Concerto of the Year in 1991, and his later releases have earned multiple Echo Klassik awards, further confirming his excellence as a recording artist.

Throughout his career, he has maintained long-standing collaborations with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and major orchestras across the United States. Beyond performing, Kavakos has taken on significant artistic leadership roles, serving as an artistic director and festival curator, while also working actively as a conductor with leading ensembles.

His influence extends strongly into education as well. Kavakos regularly gives masterclasses in Athens and holds a professorship at the Basel Academy of Music, shaping new generations of musicians. In addition, his chamber music collaborations with elite artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax, particularly their acclaimed trio recordings and performances, have been widely praised by critics.

Altogether, his career represents a remarkable blend of competition success, recording excellence, artistic leadership, and international influence, firmly cementing Leonidas Kavakos’s status as one of the most influential classical artists of today.

What Violin Does Leonidas Kavakos Play?

A defining element of Kavakos’s sound is the exquisite instrument he performs on. He currently plays the “Willemotte” Stradivarius violin of 1734, a historic Italian masterpiece known for its rich tonal palette and expressive power. 

This instrument  (part of the revered legacy of Antonio Stradivari) was acquired by Kavakos after years of performing on other rare violins, including the “Abergavenny” and “Falmouth” Stradivarii.

Known for its extraordinary responsiveness and depth of color, the Willemotte Stradivarius has become central to his performances across the world’s major concert halls and recordings.

Leonidas Kavakos x Luiz Amorim

In a unique collaboration that bridges legendary performance and contemporary violin making, Greek maestro Leonidas Kavakos teamed up with luthier Luiz Amorim, a master craftsman from Cremona, Italy, to create a limited series of handcrafted violins. 

This exclusive collection consists of just seven instruments, each a bench-made homage to Kavakos’s own 1734 Willemotte Stradivarius. Every violin is:

• Handcrafted by Luiz Amorim
• Signed by both Amorim and Kavakos
• Delivered with certification and documentation
• Designed to reflect the character and voice of the original instrument. 

The project isn’t just about fine craftsmanship, it also carries a philanthropic element: for every violin sold, Amorim Fine Violins donates €5,000 to a music-focused nonprofit chosen by Kavakos himself.

Where Artistic Mastery Meets Contemporary Violin Making

This collaboration marks a rare moment in the violin world where performance legend and modern luthiery converge, offering musicians and collectors a chance to own a piece of living musical legacy.

Leonidas Kavakos stands at the crossroads of performance, artistry, and legacy: a violinist whose influence spans recordings, orchestras, masterclasses, and now instrument creation.

From his celebrated Stradivarius to his partnership with Luiz Amorim, Kavakos continues to shape the future of classical music while honoring its greatest traditions.

To explore the story behind this exclusive collaboration, discover the instruments, and learn how the project supports the future of music, visit the official Leonidas Kavakos x Luiz Amorim project page and learn more about this unique initiative.