Christos Tsogias-Razakov

Christos Tsogias-Razakov
Christos Tsogias-Razakov (BA'18 & MM'20) is a Greek classical Oboist, a researcher of Hellenic oboe repertoire, and a specialist in oboe reed-making with his own cane fields. Christos studied for his bachelor's and master's at the Royal Conservatoire and he has performed with the Greek National Radio Television Orchestra (ERT), Dutch Ballet Orchestra Amsterdam, Dords Chamber Orchestra, and Amsterdam Festival Orchestra and is since 2020 the principal oboe of the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra.
Christos reflects on how his life shifted significantly after the pandemic began in 2020. When the lockdown started, his mother, concerned about the unfolding situation, booked him a flight back to Greece. "I remember that day so well: after visiting a concert at the Royal Concertgebouw, I packed a small bag and was on a plane back to Greece just a few hours later," he recalls. Initially, he thought he would return to the Netherlands after a month or so, but instead, he remained in Greece for nearly two years. During this time, he had to leave his flat in The Hague, and his friends packed up his belongings to send back to Greece.
His final months at the Royal Conservatoire were conducted online, including his graduation concert. "It was an important experience for me because I had to explore all the facets of having good recording quality, dealing with cables, microphones, and technology. This skill set has proved useful in my current work," Christos shares. He had planned to pursue a professional career in the Netherlands, as he was very content with his life in The Hague, but the pandemic made those plans uncertain. Nevertheless, Christos was fortunate enough to secure a position with the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra during the pandemic, where he was able to continue performing and recording works by Greek composers. He felt privileged to have continued working as a musician during such a difficult time. "Since I had my master's degree from the Royal Conservatoire in June 2020, I also began my research on oboe repertoire by Greek composers as a PhD candidate."
His PhD research involves creating a catalogue of pieces for oboe written by Greek composers, many of which had been forgotten for centuries. "I’ve found compositions that no one had paid attention to for years, and bringing them to the surface gives my community easy access to these pieces," he explains. This process has been particularly fulfilling during the pandemic, allowing him to be productive and explore new aspects of his field. "I want to inspire living composers to write new oboe pieces as well," Christos adds.
Comparing this research to his studies at the Royal Conservatoire, Christos notes the difference in approach. His master's research, focused on reed-making, was more practical, involving experiments and interviews, while his PhD research is centered on archival work, including researching composers' biographies, historical books, and online databases. "I never imagined I’d spend so much time behind a laptop," he admits. However, he has embraced this new side of research and discovered new aspects of himself in the process.
Looking back at his time at the Royal Conservatoire, Christos feels incredibly fortunate to have studied under such skilled and supportive teachers. "I count myself incredibly lucky with the teachers I had, who were like mentors, parents, and friends," he reflects. Among his mentors were Alexei Ogrintchouk, Karel Schoofs, Ali Groen, and Ron Tijhuis, who shaped his technical skills on the oboe. He also praises his orchestral coach Remco de Vries and stage presentation coach Fajo Jansen. "I never thought of going anywhere else. I found everything I needed at the Royal Conservatoire," he says. His teachers not only influenced his technical playing but also taught him how to be a professional and an artist, and how to organize projects. "The lessons and examples they set are something I carry with me every day."
Moving to the Netherlands from Greece was a significant emotional and psychological transition. "A new country, a new language, and a new culture. I didn’t know anyone when I first arrived. My teachers were the first to help me adjust," Christos explains. "During those six years, they showed me how to develop a routine, how to be professional, and how to keep growing as both a musician and a person." He continues, "Even three years after graduating, I still remember things they said to me during my time at the Royal Conservatoire."
His time there also prepared him for the challenges of professional life. He applied much of what he learned in the conservatoire to his current career. For example, he had the opportunity to play with several orchestras, including the Dutch Ballet Orchestra Amsterdam, Dordrecht Chamber Orchestra, and the Amsterdam Festival Orchestra. "These experiences showed me what it was like to perform and work with professional ensembles," he says. But he also encountered challenges. "I remember playing a symphony during my studies that was very demanding, and I was dissatisfied with my performance. Later, I played it again with a professional orchestra, and I noticed that I played it much better. A few months ago, I played it again and managed to perform it by heart," Christos reflects. He adds, "These projects were significant because they placed me in a professional environment where I could recognize my strengths and areas for improvement."
In 2021, the Royal Conservatoire moved to its new location at Amare in the heart of The Hague. Christos visited the new building and felt mixed emotions. "It was bittersweet," he admits. "I'm happy there’s a new building with excellent facilities, but all my memories are tied to the old building. I spent so much time there practicing, attending lectures, and rehearsing." However, he realizes that the place itself isn’t what made those memories special. "It’s the people—the friends, teachers, and colleagues—that made those years so important to me." Christos views the closing of the old building as the end of an era for him, marking a period of personal and professional growth. "My time in The Hague has been incredibly formative, and I feel very positive about that," he reflects.
Looking ahead, Christos continues to build on his research. "I’m focusing on expanding the catalogue of unrecorded and unknown compositions for oboe by Greek composers," he says. His goal is to bring these works to the public through performances, lectures, and recordings. "Since the pandemic, I’m more cautious about making long-term predictions, as things feel unpredictable. However, I look forward to new opportunities and collaborations," he adds.
Alongside his doctoral research and his role at the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra, Christos is also interested in growing his entrepreneurial work with cane fields and reed-making, which he began researching during his master’s. "I want to develop this further and share the knowledge I gained at the Royal Conservatoire with others," he shares. Additionally, he has taken on a teaching role at the Municipal Conservatoire of Thessaloniki, Greece, where he leads chamber music ensembles and teaches oboe to students of all ages. Christos’ journey exemplifies his dedication to both performance and research, as well as his commitment to preserving and promoting Greek oboe repertoire.