Panayis Lyras

Panayis Lyras (birth name Panaghis Lykiardopoulos), a Greek-born American pianist acclaimed for his brilliant technique and profound interpretations of the Romantic repertoire, died June 30, 2025 in Indianapolis. He was 71.

Among his many accolades, Lyras was silver medalist of the Sixth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1981 where his performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 “brought the competition to a blazing end.” (The New York Times) He was also first prize winner of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in Utah, the University of Maryland International Piano Competition, the Three Rivers Piano Competition in Pittsburgh, and was a silver medalist in the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in Israel.

Born in Athens in 1953 to a family steeped in the arts — his mother was a dressmaker and costumer, and his father a composer — Lyras began piano studies at age five and enrolled at the Athens Conservatory of Music by age six. In 1965, he appeared in the Greek film Affection alongside his younger brother, Nicholas, and his godfather, actor Christos Tsaganeas.

The family immigrated to the United States in 1966, eventually settling in New York City. There, Lyras earned a two-year scholarship to the New York College of Music and continued his education at the School of Performing Arts and Juilliard’s pre-college division. He went on to receive both his bachelor’s (1976) and master’s (1977) degrees from Juilliard on full scholarship, studying with Robert Armstrong, Adele Marcus, and William Masselos.

Lyras was deeply inspired by pianist Jorge Bolet, whose mentorship in the 1970s reinforced his belief in fidelity to the composer’s intent and in serving the music above all. Lyras commanded the keyboard with discipline, sensitivity, and physical strength — developed in part through a youthful passion for basketball and soccer.

By the age of 19, Lyras had already performed several solo recitals at Carnegie Hall. Lyras was the first graduate of The Juilliard School to be honored with a major debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, having won the inaugural William Petschek Piano Debut award in 1981. That evening’s centerpiece, Liszt’s Sonata in B minor, drew praise from The New York Times for its “grand technique” that could “ripple and power its way through any known difficulties.”

Renowned for his performances of Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky, Lyras’ artistry combined dazzling technical command with deep musical insight. He brought fresh perspective and emotional integrity to the classical canon, earning praise throughout a distinguished international career.

In a concert career spanning decades and continents, Lyras performed solo recitals in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and many other major cities across North America. His orchestral engagements included performances with the Philadelphia and Minnesota Orchestras, the Buffalo and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras, the Boston Pops, and the San Francisco, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Phoenix, Florida, Omaha, New Mexico, Nashville, New Jersey, Utah, North Carolina, Honolulu, and Pacific Symphony Orchestras. Internationally, Lyras performed in England, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, and Uruguay.

In addition to his performing career, Lyras was a dedicated educator. He served as artist-in-residence and professor of piano at Butler University (1989-2003) and at Michigan State University (2002–2019). He was a frequent advisor to the American Pianists Association and took great pride in mentoring the next generation of pianists, approaching teaching with warmth, clarity, and encouragement.

A resident of Indianapolis for more than 35 years, he was deeply committed to the artistic growth of the city alongside his sister, Victoria Lyras, founding artistic director of Indianapolis Ballet.

Lyras is preceded in death by his mother, Loukia Finale, who passed away April 11, 2024 in Indianapolis at the age of 95. He is survived by his brother Nicholas Lyras; his sister Victoria Lyras; his nephew Eric Woodhams; and his dear friend, Dr. Julie A. Goldsmith.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Juilliard School’s Scholarship or Pre-College Scholarship Funds at giving.juilliard.edu.

A celebration of the lives of Panayis Lyras and his late mother, Loukia Finale, will be announced in the coming months. To be notified of the event, contact: lyrasfinale@gmail.com.