By Maria Gregoriou
This year Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis turns 90. To mark the occasion, and to celebrate the 70 years of music that he has given to the Greek scene, many events have been organised, including a musical tribute on Sunday at Technopolis 20 cultural centre in Paphos.
The event will pay homage to the composer with a concert by Sotiris Karagiorgis, Evagoras Karageorgis and Stelios Cacoyannis at 8pm entitled Mikis Theodorakis – Who is My Life…
Theodorakis is one of the most important contemporary Greek composers. As well as creating music, he has also been a politician, a former minister, a four-time member of the Greek parliament, and an activist. He was honoured with the Lenin Peace Prize in 1983 for his left-wing activism.
He has worked with all kinds of music and has composed probably the most recognisable Greek music on an international scale, including Zorba’s Dance (Sirtaki) which was the song that got everyone dancing Greek-style after the release of the film Zorba the Greek in 1964. Its deliberate rhythm, building to a frenzied exuberant climax, was based on traditional Cretan music.
Theodorakis’ compositions have been interpreted by world-renowned artists, such as the Beatles, Shirley Bassey and Edith Piaf, and he has written music for blockbuster movies such as Phaedra in 1962, Z in 1969 and Serpico in 1973.
The composer has also dabbled in classical music, oratorios, ballets, operas and chamber music. But the works which are considered his most important are those which are poetry set to music. Theodorakis wrote folk music to accompany the lyrics of award-winning poets such as Yiannis Ritsos, George Seferis (Nobel prize winner in 1963), Pablo Neruda (Nobel prize winner in 1971), and Odysseas Elytis – who also won the Nobel in 1979.
Theodorakis’ contribution to Greek poetry has made Greece one of the few countries where poetry can be heard and be passed on to a new generation on a wide scale.
During the concert on Sunday, the three musicians will present some of the composer’s greatest songs.
Sotiris Karagiorgis is a musician, teacher and composer who has been present in the world of choral music in Cyprus for a number of years.
Evagoras Karageorgis is also a musician, teacher and composer who has worked intensely with Cypriot and Greek music. He has written classical music, music for theatre and television, and has also performed in a number of concerts with his own musical compositions and songs.
Stelios Cacoyannis was Karagiorgis’ student, then went on to collaborate with his teacher and also perform his songs. He has a very distinctive and melodious voice, with a wide repertoire.
Mikis Theodorakis – Who is My Life…
Tribute concert to the Greek composer with musicians Sotiris Karagiorgis, Evagoras Karageorgis and Stelios Cacoyannis. August 9. Technopolis 20, Paphos. 8pm. €8. Tel: 70-002420
