Concordia Nebraska to host collaborative recital featuring Teimuraz Janikashvili and Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo

Internationally-acclaimed violinist Teimuraz Janikashvili has an extensive background in solo and orchestral performance as well as music education. On April 26, he will collaborate with pianist and Concordia University, Nebraska Professor of Music Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo to perform a recital dedicated to composer Robert Schumann.  

The recital will be performed in the Recital Hall in the Borland Center for Music and Theatre on April 26 at 7 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public. 

Teimuraz Janikashvili, originally from Tbilisi, Georgia, began his violin studies very early in life and made his solo debut at the age of eight with the Georgian National Orchestra. Following his debut, his training continued at both the Tchaikovsky College and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.  

Over the course of his career, he has performed as a soloist, guest concertmaster and chamber musician across Europe. He has collaborated with many leading orchestras and conductors.  

In 1994, he became a member of the Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra, one of the most influential chamber orchestras of the modern era, under the direction of Yuri Bashmet. In 1999, he became a member and the concertmaster of the Galician Symphony Orchestra in Spain. He also served as concertmaster of its Youth Orchestra.  

Since 2004, Janikashvili has appeared regularly as a guest concertmaster and soloist with major orchestras throughout Europe. He is also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of musicians and has worked extensively with youth orchestras and young artists. As a part of this mission, he co-founded and works as the artistic director of the International Festival Florilegio Musical Salmantino.  

“I am deeply committed to mentoring young musicians – helping them not develop their instrumental skills but also understand their role within an ensemble and grow as complete artists,” he said.  

Elizabeth Grimpo is a professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska. She studied at Concordia University Chicago and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). As an undergraduate student, she appeared as a soloist with the Concordia Wind Symphony performing Lendvay’s “Piano Concertino” and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”  

While studying at UNL, she won the graduate concerto competition, earning the chance to perform the first movement of Saint-Saëns’ Second Piano Concerto in G Minor with the UNL Symphony Orchestra.  

In October 2023, Grimpo was inducted into the esteemed Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame.  

“This recital represents not only a performance, but also an opportunity for artistic exchange. I am especially grateful to collaborate with the Concordia community and to contribute to its musical life.”

She has participated in several collaborative performances, including a performance of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto with Janikashvili in 2019. This initial collaboration between the two musicians was the start of a meaningful artistic connection. The two also collaborated last year on a performance of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” 

“Elizabeth is an exceptional musician, and working with her is always a deeply rewarding experience,” said Janikashvili. “There is a natural musical understanding between us that allows the music to flow with ease and sincerity. Beyond her artistic excellence, she is also a wonderful colleague on a personal level, which makes our collaborations especially meaningful.” 

Grimpo shared his sentiments, saying, “It’s always a privilege for me to collaborate with other musicians. Teimuraz is incredibly gifted, and working with him makes me better.” 

Janikashvili aims to continue building bridges between different musical traditions and educational systems, particularly between Europe and the United States. Due to his collaborations with Grimpo, Concordia has become an important artistic partner in helping Janikashvili to achieve those goals.  

“This recital represents not only a performance, but also an opportunity for artistic exchange,” he said. “I am especially grateful to collaborate with the Concordia community and to contribute to its musical life.” 

The April 26 recital will be dedicated to composer Robert Schumann, featuring his two sonatas for violin and piano.  

“These works belong to a particularly intense period in Schumann’s life, marked by both profound artistic creativity and personal struggle. This duality is deeply reflected in the music: moments of lyrical intimacy coexist with passages of great tension and complexity, creating a highly expressive and sometimes turbulent musical language,” explained Janikashvili.  

Both sonatas were premiered by Schumann’s wife, Clara Schumann, with collaborating violinists. These connections emphasize the deeply personal and collaborative nature.  

Janikashvili said, “For me, performing these two sonatas in the same program offers a unique opportunity to explore Schumann’s inner world in a comprehensive way, presenting both the poetic and the more dramatic dimensions of his voice.” 

The music department at Concordia University, Nebraska provides students with a top-tier, Christ-centered education that prepares them to serve the church and world with their music. Learn more about Concordia’s musical ensembles and lesson opportunities here.