ViolinAlexander Palamidis

Alexander Palamidis is Principal Second Violin with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and member of the San Diego Symphony String Quartet. He has held the position of Concertmaster with Orchestra Nova, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Istanbul Radio String Orchestra and Glendale Chamber Orchestra, and he has performed as soloist and Acting Concertmaster with the SDSO on several occasions. He was a member and soloist with many orchestras including the Istanbul State Symphony, Denver Symphony, Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera and the Denver Chamber Orchestra. He performed and toured with the L’Amoroso String Quartet. Prior to his appointment with San Diego Symphony Orchestra he was offered the position of Principal First Violin with the Melbourne Symphony in Australia.

Mr. Palamidis earned a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Southern California where he was a member of the USC String Quartet. He attended classes with emphasis on Chamber Music and Violin Performance at The Mozarteum Academy of Music in Salzburg, Austria. A graduate of the Istanbul Conservatory of Music (where he was appointed as violin instructor right after graduation), he also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is very active in education, giving master classes with emphasis on solo repertoire as well as orchestral excerpts, working with young musicians, chamber ensembles, coaching high school orchestras and youth orchestras and maintaining a busy private teaching studio. 

When not playing the violin, Mr. Palamidis’ special interests include Eastern philosophy, Japanese jazz-fusion, old violins and travel. 

GETTING TO KNOW ALEXANDER PALAMIDIS…

Q: What are three of your favorite movies? 

A: Whale Rider, Groundhog Day, The Gods Must Be Crazy

Q: What are your favorite travel destinations? 

A: Turkey, Greece, Austria, Japan. 

Q: Can you name some favorite composers and/or musical periods? 

A: So many to name, but if I had to pick only one from each period I would have to pick Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Debussy from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century periods respectively. 

Q: What good book have you read most recently? 

A: Loving What Is by Byron Katie

Q: What do you love most about San Diego (other than the weather)? 

A: The Orchestra, the Beaches, the Zoo, Farmers Markets. 

Q: What are some of your favorite San Diego restaurants? 

A: Il Fornaio, Rama and, as a vegetarian, any restaurant with a good vegetarian selection on their menu. 

Q: The non-musical accomplishment you are most proud of is…?

A: Getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering