SIMPLE WITH LOVE
For Your 68th GRAMMY® Consideration
Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Steve’s Mythical Forest for solo guitar
Composer: Apostolos Paraskevas
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Simple with Love, Apostolos Paraskevas, Classical Guitar
Album Information
Album Title: Simple with Love
· Spotify
Release Date: August 1st, 2025
Label: Silver Sickle Productions
Recording Dates: June 14–30, 2025
Locations: Warwick, RI & Boston, MA
Engineer: Raz Panic (Rocketpop Labs)
✨ Artistic Statement
“There is considerable evidence that a compelling story enhances the best aspects of a performance and/or a piece of art. Here is mine...”
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After a concert (2009), Apostolos developed focal dystonia (FD) in his right hand.
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Could not play a scale or even a single open string without extreme tension and involuntary movement.
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Spent 7,000 hours over four years to rehabilitate and return to performing.
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Since recovery, produced four solo recordings: The Romantic Bach, Phoenix, Guitar Selections I, and now Simple with Love.
Message to Grammy voters:
" This album is a celebration of recovery, resilience, and the power of music. As many wise men said: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” I submit this work with gratitude, love, and hope!”
❤️ The Concept of Simple with Love
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It was long overdue in my creative journey to produce a recording focused on Love. My early fascination with dark music in the 1990s and the early 2000s provided enough material for those feeling sad, depressed, or on the verge of giving up. After a challenging journey with hand injuries and a recent unfortunate broken wrist during this recording, I am pleased to present Simple with Love, a recording dedicated to Love and simplicity—if those words can even go together. It features works by Dilermando Reis, Rodrigo Riera, Carlos Farinas, Alcides Fernandes, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jorge Cardoso, Ariel Ramírez, Stanley Myers, Jorge Morel, George Zarb, Mikis Theodorakis, Agustín Barrios Mangoré, and myself.
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AP
Artist Bio – Apostolos Paraskevas
Apostolos Paraskevas is a Classical guitarist, composer, award-winning film director & producer.
Awards & Recognition:
Grammy nomination (Bridge Records, 1999)
International prizes in composition (Night Wanderings, Phygein Adynaton, etc.)
Only classical guitarist who had an orchestral work at Carnegie Hall (conducted by Lukas Foss).
Performed at Carnegie Hall in a Grim Reaper outfit (!).
Academic Career:
Professor at Berklee College of Music (composition & classical guitar).
Former faculty at Northeastern University& Boston College.
Founder: International Guitar Congress Festival (Corfu, Greece, 1990-2007).
Education:
Guitar with Costas Cotsiolis & Leo Brouwer.
Composition with Lukas Foss & Theodore Antoniou (DMA, Boston University).
Style: Fusion of avant-garde experimentation, folk modal rhythms, lyrical melodies, theatrical elements, and wit.
Film: I Finally Did It (Gold Award, California Film Awards and Silver Screen Award, Nevada Film Festival 2010).
Published by: Hal Leonard, Bèrben, Schott, Silver Sickle Productions, Centaur, Bridge Records.
Performances: Orchestras worldwide – Albany, Boston Landmarks, Boston Civic Cyprus Symphony, Athens MSO, Florida International, and many others.
