One night when...
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One night when...
Leonidas Kanaris
Three Songs on poems by Charles Baudelaire
op. 15
Daphne Panourghia (soprano)
Nicole Karali (piano)
-The Pagan’s Prayer
-The Possessed
-One Night When…
Trois Bagatelles pour le piano
op. 30
Nicole Karali (piano)
-Chanté
-Valse Sensible
-Vive
Two Choir Songs on poems by K. Karyotakes
op. 25
Vocal Ensemble ‘Emmeleia’
-The Plain and the Cemetery
-A Funeral and Perpendicular March
People
op.31b
Stella Tsani (violin)
Gerta Sinaj (viola)
Elena Chounta (piano)
Four Songs on poems by Th. Tassoulis
op. 10b
Daphne Panourghia (soprano)
Nicole Karali (piano)
-Further to the Northwest of Happiness
-Attempting to Contact
-A Confession
-When the Stone
‘Elegiaco’ for Woodwind Quintet
op. 13
Slowind Wind Quintet
Three Songs on poems by C. P. Cavafy
op. 35
Daphne Panourghia (soprano)
Stella Tsani (violin)
Lefki Colovou (cello)
Nicole Karali (piano)
Michael Tranoudakis (narrator)
-Candles
-Sam el Nesim
-The God Forsaketh Antony
Total Time: 74:55
_____________________________________
MP3-320 and FLAC files included in purchase
Buy cd
Leonidas Kanaris
Three Songs on poems by Charles Baudelaire
op. 15
Daphne Panourghia (soprano)
Nicole Karali (piano)
-The Pagan’s Prayer
-The Possessed
-One Night When…
Trois Bagatelles pour le piano
op. 30
Nicole Karali (piano)
-Chanté
-Valse Sensible
-Vive
Two Choir Songs on poems by K. Karyotakes
op. 25
Vocal Ensemble ‘Emmeleia’
-The Plain and the Cemetery
-A Funeral and Perpendicular March
People
op.31b
Stella Tsani (violin)
Gerta Sinaj (viola)
Elena Chounta (piano)
Four Songs on poems by Th. Tassoulis
op. 10b
Daphne Panourghia (soprano)
Nicole Karali (piano)
-Further to the Northwest of Happiness
-Attempting to Contact
-A Confession
-When the Stone
‘Elegiaco’ for Woodwind Quintet
op. 13
Slowind Wind Quintet
Three Songs on poems by C. P. Cavafy
op. 35
Daphne Panourghia (soprano)
Stella Tsani (violin)
Lefki Colovou (cello)
Nicole Karali (piano)
Michael Tranoudakis (narrator)
-Candles
-Sam el Nesim
-The God Forsaketh Antony
Total Time: 74:55
_____________________________________
MP3-320 and FLAC files included in purchase
Buy cd
Buy tracks / Listen samples
Three Songs on poems by Ch. Baudelaire / 1st |
Three Songs on poems by Ch. Baudelaire / 2nd |
Three Songs on poems by Ch. Baudelaire / 3rd |
Trois Bagatelles pour le piano / 1st |
Trois Bagatelles pour le piano / 2nd |
Trois Bagatelles pour le piano / 3rd |
Two Choir Songs on poems by K. Karyotakes / 1st |
Two Choir Songs on poems by K. Karyotakes / 2nd |
People |
Four Songs on poems by Th. Tassoulis / 1st |
Four Songs on poems by Th. Tassoulis / 2nd |
Four Songs on poems by Th. Tassoulis / 3rd |
Four Songs on poems by Th. Tassoulis / 4th |
‘Elegiaco’ |
Three Songs on poems by C. P. Cavafy / 1st |
Three Songs on poems by C. P. Cavafy / 2nd |
Three Songs on poems by C. P. Cavafy / 3rd |
ONE NIGHT WHEN...
LEONIDAS KANARIS
Leonidas Kanaris is one of the most important Greek composers of his generation. He has written more than 40 compositions to date, including works for various solo instruments, chamber music ensembles, string and symphonic orchestras, concertos and the symphonic “Cantata Magica que Sancta”. He has also written cycles of songs and vocal compositions based on poems by Greek poets such as K.Kavafis and K.Karyotakis, as well as poems by Ch. Baudelaire, E.A. Poe, J.W. von Goethe and others.
His compositions are often performed in Greece and other countries by various well-known artists and groups, and commonly receive very good reviews (by people such as G.Leotsakos, P. Fowles, G.Monemvasitis, S. Kenyon, T.Tamvakos etc). International organisations and foundations such as the Athens Music Hall, the Odessa Camerata Orchestra, the ISCM World Music Days, the Alexander Onassis Foundation, the Greek Composers’ Union, as well as various international festivals, municipalities and so on, have included works of his in their events. Several of these have been published by Papagrigoriou - Nakas, Contemporary Music, Fagotto and other publishers and have been recorded on CD by Subways, Musica Viva, Corifeo and others.
L. Kanaris has won 8 awards and distinctions, such as: in 2001 the District of Magnesia (central Greece) honoured him for his artistic achievement. In 2002 his work Dream Land (for mezzo and organ ensemble) won 3rd prize at the “J. A. Papaioannou” Composition Competition. In 2003 the artistic committee of the International Society for Contemporary Music (consisting of Penderecki, A. Laporte and others) chose his Elegiaco for Woodwind Quintet to represent Greece in the International Festival World Music Days in Slovenia. In 2004 with his 2nd String Quartet he won the 2nd prize in the “D. Dragataki” Composition Competition.
He started studying music in 1976 in Volos (central Greece) and in 1983 continued in Athens. His main tutors were Costas Cotsiolis (guitar diploma at the Athens Conservatory) Joseph Urshalmi (post-graduate studies at the Rubin Academy of Jerusalem), Theodore Antoniou (Composition Diploma - Greek Conservatory as well as orchestra conductor lessons), Thomas Simaku (PhD in Composition at the University of York). Among others, he studied the Greek music tradition (ancient, Byzantine and so on) and has also been involved with modern music (jazz, rock etc). At the same time, he stydied Political Science at Panteion University and studied ancient greek, oriental and esoteric philosophies and practices, as well as rhetoric.
His artistic endeavours as a composer (and earlier as a guitarist) include many concerts in Greece and abroad (UK, USA, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, Finland, Egypt, Denmark, Ukraine etc) consisting of performances of his own work, solo appearances, collaboration with various musicians in chamber music ensembles and orchestras, multimedia performances, media appearances and conducting small musical groups and choirs.
L. Kanaris has been a member of the Greek Composers’ Union, is the editor-in-chief of “Polytonon” magazine and the president of the Greek Music Society. For 14 years he was the president of the Corfu International Guitar and Composition Congress - Festival. He often writes articles for magazines and gives lectures on various subjects. He has also written a series of successful guitar education books called “Kitharokosmos” (guitar world). He teaches at educational seminars for musicians, including psychosomatic subjects concerning musicians. For the past 25 years he has also been working as a music teacher (of Theory, Guitar and Composition) in various music schools, with dozens of raduates, now professional musicians.
He lives and works in Athens.
Sophocles Sapounas
LEONIDAS KANARIS
Leonidas Kanaris is one of the most important Greek composers of his generation. He has written more than 40 compositions to date, including works for various solo instruments, chamber music ensembles, string and symphonic orchestras, concertos and the symphonic “Cantata Magica que Sancta”. He has also written cycles of songs and vocal compositions based on poems by Greek poets such as K.Kavafis and K.Karyotakis, as well as poems by Ch. Baudelaire, E.A. Poe, J.W. von Goethe and others.
His compositions are often performed in Greece and other countries by various well-known artists and groups, and commonly receive very good reviews (by people such as G.Leotsakos, P. Fowles, G.Monemvasitis, S. Kenyon, T.Tamvakos etc). International organisations and foundations such as the Athens Music Hall, the Odessa Camerata Orchestra, the ISCM World Music Days, the Alexander Onassis Foundation, the Greek Composers’ Union, as well as various international festivals, municipalities and so on, have included works of his in their events. Several of these have been published by Papagrigoriou - Nakas, Contemporary Music, Fagotto and other publishers and have been recorded on CD by Subways, Musica Viva, Corifeo and others.
L. Kanaris has won 8 awards and distinctions, such as: in 2001 the District of Magnesia (central Greece) honoured him for his artistic achievement. In 2002 his work Dream Land (for mezzo and organ ensemble) won 3rd prize at the “J. A. Papaioannou” Composition Competition. In 2003 the artistic committee of the International Society for Contemporary Music (consisting of Penderecki, A. Laporte and others) chose his Elegiaco for Woodwind Quintet to represent Greece in the International Festival World Music Days in Slovenia. In 2004 with his 2nd String Quartet he won the 2nd prize in the “D. Dragataki” Composition Competition.
He started studying music in 1976 in Volos (central Greece) and in 1983 continued in Athens. His main tutors were Costas Cotsiolis (guitar diploma at the Athens Conservatory) Joseph Urshalmi (post-graduate studies at the Rubin Academy of Jerusalem), Theodore Antoniou (Composition Diploma - Greek Conservatory as well as orchestra conductor lessons), Thomas Simaku (PhD in Composition at the University of York). Among others, he studied the Greek music tradition (ancient, Byzantine and so on) and has also been involved with modern music (jazz, rock etc). At the same time, he stydied Political Science at Panteion University and studied ancient greek, oriental and esoteric philosophies and practices, as well as rhetoric.
His artistic endeavours as a composer (and earlier as a guitarist) include many concerts in Greece and abroad (UK, USA, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, Finland, Egypt, Denmark, Ukraine etc) consisting of performances of his own work, solo appearances, collaboration with various musicians in chamber music ensembles and orchestras, multimedia performances, media appearances and conducting small musical groups and choirs.
L. Kanaris has been a member of the Greek Composers’ Union, is the editor-in-chief of “Polytonon” magazine and the president of the Greek Music Society. For 14 years he was the president of the Corfu International Guitar and Composition Congress - Festival. He often writes articles for magazines and gives lectures on various subjects. He has also written a series of successful guitar education books called “Kitharokosmos” (guitar world). He teaches at educational seminars for musicians, including psychosomatic subjects concerning musicians. For the past 25 years he has also been working as a music teacher (of Theory, Guitar and Composition) in various music schools, with dozens of raduates, now professional musicians.
He lives and works in Athens.
Sophocles Sapounas
My Music
When composing my music I try to determine and organise the impressions and even effects it may have upon human mood and psyche. This is done on clearly musical grounds, but also non-musical ones, such as psychological, aesthetic, rhetorical, esoteric etc. As my target audience I regard those averagely educated in artistic western music. However, my music does, first and foremost, express my own concerns, which I try to approach “psychoanalytically” and share with others, since only music, being a means of communication through messages, could convey them in its own special way. Generally, music is for me the vessel towards knowledge and selfdiscovery.
My communicational aim is to use music in order to draw forth instincts, impressions and feelings, and lead to spiritual experiences which our everyday life may lack, as if it were an exercise aimed to keep our soul fit. I often try to convey musical or general messages, such as these: the furthering of our reconciliation with the world of instincts and some primal human form of expression; the lifting of prejudice against certain aesthetic choices; the power of upsetting and histrionics, the supplementation of psychic energy through music, etc. What “Greekness” there is in my work, happens to dwell mainly in the plane of “aura” and “ethos” (in the ancient Greek sense)
For all these reasons I have, according to my personal taste, used elements and techniques from various music styles, which are often utilized empirically and instinctively. As technical perfection I consider the effective and artistic syncretism of the different elements, in order to achieve the above aims. I am also interested in approaching (through music) new impressions and experiences, or expressing familiar ones (such as dramaticism, contemplation, elation, lyricism, spirituality, eroticism, tragicality, nostalgia, humour, etc) using new musical means, thus hoping to broaden human perception. Should this succeed, I will feel that originality has been approached. Finally, I try to make my music clear and useful, combining compositional perfection with communicational directness.
Despite my efforts and whatever general impressions an audience may have of a piece of music, I do not overlook the fact that every listener approaches a musical piece of work in a personal way. I therefore do not intend to become any more specific, leading the listening experience of the album, or proceeding to (often pointless) structural analyses.
The music on the album
Almost all music on this album has been performed in public. The impressions often included comments about a dramatic and “dark” music. I do not deny this, hence the title: “A night when...” Obviously the choice of the poems, besides the high artistic criteria, was also made with a view to such an atmosphere.
Meta-romantic and symbolist poet Charles Baudelaire (1821 - 1867) led a bohemian life of indulgence, which soon led him to death due to paralysis. With his work he was uplifted to the podium of “classical” French poets and among the best worldwide. His imagination and his intention to explore in a symbolic and original way very subtle differences in mood, often led him to use outworldly and provokative language, which in turn caused his first and most famous volume The Flowers of Evil to be banned by the French state for several decades, before finally being accepted. This is the anthology from which the lyrics of these songs have been taken. The setting to music of these poems aimed at properly portraying the text, as well as its atmosphere.
Therefore, as a basis for the musical environment, I picked the musical opposite of Symbolism, Impressionism. Thus is created a meta-impressionistic environment with references to the same period (eg. E.Satie). It was written in 2000 and the first performance was (in the same year) by Ch. Spiliakopoulou and N. Karali.
Τrois Bagatelles was written in 2003 at the order of the composer and pianist Joseph Valet, who in 2005 performed it for the first time. In this simple, light-hearted piece I have tried, among others, to project, with the minimum amount of material, in an audiochromatic mood, the different areas of pianist extent (the full length of the piano). In Chante the left hand is based on an ισοκράτη, while the right one gradually develops its melodic character. In Valse Sensible more or less the opposite is done, where a trill uses the upper pentagram as a canvas, while the left hand alters the harmonic or melodic parameter, creating various moods. In the lively and grotesque Vive, both hands converge equally. There are discreet references to various musical styles and the work is essentially based on a steady rhythm and the “principle of addition”.
Kostas Karyotakes (1896 - 1928) was one of the most important Greek poets and belongs to the midwar generation. Being by nature an introverted, melancholic and non-comforming pessimist as well as imaginative and sentimental, he shot himself at the age of 32, just as he was becoming accepted within the poetic circle. He wrote three collections of poems. The last one, Elegy and Satires, written in 1927, is filled with sombre thoughts. It is the collection from which the two poems of this album were taken. They were written for a mixed choir of four voices, or alternatively, a small four-voice ensemble. Especially the second poem is considered his best. The first song was part of my thesis at conservatory. The vocal-choral presentation, making use of, among others, various singing effects, tries to express the tragic but at the same time sarcastic atmosphere of the poems. They have been translated into English by A. Apostolou.
People is a variation on a theme, which is not presented, but constitutes the invisible “social network” of a modern metropolis. The title refers to people, and more specifically types of people around us. Every variation refers to a different character: the sensuous (with musical reference to L. Bernstein), the persistent (reference to L. Brouwer), the romantic, the hyperactive, the light-hearted, the expressive, the common, the rough (reference to A. Schnittke), the religious (reference to J. S. Bach) and the dynamic (reference to D. Shostakovich). The first version (op. 31a, for violin, alto saxophone and piano) was written in 2003 for the Olympic Trio, which also performed it for the first time. The second version (that of the album) was created in 2004.
Themis Tassoulis (1936 – 2008) studied cinematography in Paris, where he lived between 1960 - 1974. He is considered one of the most important modernist Greek poets, with a prolific volume of work (10 books to date), translated in various languages. In 2006 the Academy of Athens awarded him with the S. Matrangas award for his book “The Comedy of Attraction”. He lived with his family in Athens until he passed away.
The poem When the Stone belongs to the collection Purple Minor (Plethron Publications) and the other three are to be found in the anthology Rising Diamonds (Ostria Publications). The first setting to music of the poems was done in 1984, as a result of being personally moved by Themis’ poems. In 1999 I reformed them accompanied by guitar (op.10a). The following year (2000) saw the creation of the piano version in the original Greek (but also in English), which is heard here and was published (in both languages) by Musical Editions Papagrigoriou - Nakas (ΕΡΝ 948). The first performance of the piano version was in 2000 by D. Panourgia and N. Karali. The translation of the poems in English is by Ion Anagnostaras.
In Elegiaco for Woodwind Quintet the instruments have fairly balanced roles and each of them presents a bigger or smaller solo part. The form is relatively free and the music is lyrical, through various changes in the character and style. The Baroque references portray the relevance of the esoteric characteristics of this period with the respective 20th century ones. The transformation of patterns leads towards the end to a dramatic intensification, using pure Baroque reference, as if they were the credit titles of an imaginary movie. It was written in 1999 and was first performed in Athens in 2001 by the Echo quintet. The live recording (by the Slovenian television during the international ISCM festival in 2003) worked its own miracle. It was the last piece to be played and during the Marcia Funebre (deadly march) with the cornet and bassoon, the microphones recorded the clock of the Piran cathedral striking midnight.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Constantinos P. Cavafy (1863 - 1933) is one of the most important Greek poets, renowned the world over. His 154 poems with his unique, personal way of writing, have become the subject of numerous studies. Historical references, human and philosophical concerns and eroticism are some of the elements which are intertwined in the work of the great poet. Sam-El-Nesim (the name Egyptians give to their annual spring excursion to the countryside) belongs to his so-called 26 Disowned Poems. To be precise, the authorship of these poems was never proven. The other two are among the most important and famous ones.
The three songs were written in 2005, at the request of the Greek Community of Cairo, which was then celebrating 100 since its founding. They were first performed, by the very musicians of this recording, at a celebration at the Athens Megaron. In this work, apart from the proper representation of the text and its atmosphere, I also tried to express all the meanings between the lines.
I hope you enjoy listening!
Leonidas Kanaris
When composing my music I try to determine and organise the impressions and even effects it may have upon human mood and psyche. This is done on clearly musical grounds, but also non-musical ones, such as psychological, aesthetic, rhetorical, esoteric etc. As my target audience I regard those averagely educated in artistic western music. However, my music does, first and foremost, express my own concerns, which I try to approach “psychoanalytically” and share with others, since only music, being a means of communication through messages, could convey them in its own special way. Generally, music is for me the vessel towards knowledge and selfdiscovery.
My communicational aim is to use music in order to draw forth instincts, impressions and feelings, and lead to spiritual experiences which our everyday life may lack, as if it were an exercise aimed to keep our soul fit. I often try to convey musical or general messages, such as these: the furthering of our reconciliation with the world of instincts and some primal human form of expression; the lifting of prejudice against certain aesthetic choices; the power of upsetting and histrionics, the supplementation of psychic energy through music, etc. What “Greekness” there is in my work, happens to dwell mainly in the plane of “aura” and “ethos” (in the ancient Greek sense)
For all these reasons I have, according to my personal taste, used elements and techniques from various music styles, which are often utilized empirically and instinctively. As technical perfection I consider the effective and artistic syncretism of the different elements, in order to achieve the above aims. I am also interested in approaching (through music) new impressions and experiences, or expressing familiar ones (such as dramaticism, contemplation, elation, lyricism, spirituality, eroticism, tragicality, nostalgia, humour, etc) using new musical means, thus hoping to broaden human perception. Should this succeed, I will feel that originality has been approached. Finally, I try to make my music clear and useful, combining compositional perfection with communicational directness.
Despite my efforts and whatever general impressions an audience may have of a piece of music, I do not overlook the fact that every listener approaches a musical piece of work in a personal way. I therefore do not intend to become any more specific, leading the listening experience of the album, or proceeding to (often pointless) structural analyses.
The music on the album
Almost all music on this album has been performed in public. The impressions often included comments about a dramatic and “dark” music. I do not deny this, hence the title: “A night when...” Obviously the choice of the poems, besides the high artistic criteria, was also made with a view to such an atmosphere.
Meta-romantic and symbolist poet Charles Baudelaire (1821 - 1867) led a bohemian life of indulgence, which soon led him to death due to paralysis. With his work he was uplifted to the podium of “classical” French poets and among the best worldwide. His imagination and his intention to explore in a symbolic and original way very subtle differences in mood, often led him to use outworldly and provokative language, which in turn caused his first and most famous volume The Flowers of Evil to be banned by the French state for several decades, before finally being accepted. This is the anthology from which the lyrics of these songs have been taken. The setting to music of these poems aimed at properly portraying the text, as well as its atmosphere.
Therefore, as a basis for the musical environment, I picked the musical opposite of Symbolism, Impressionism. Thus is created a meta-impressionistic environment with references to the same period (eg. E.Satie). It was written in 2000 and the first performance was (in the same year) by Ch. Spiliakopoulou and N. Karali.
Τrois Bagatelles was written in 2003 at the order of the composer and pianist Joseph Valet, who in 2005 performed it for the first time. In this simple, light-hearted piece I have tried, among others, to project, with the minimum amount of material, in an audiochromatic mood, the different areas of pianist extent (the full length of the piano). In Chante the left hand is based on an ισοκράτη, while the right one gradually develops its melodic character. In Valse Sensible more or less the opposite is done, where a trill uses the upper pentagram as a canvas, while the left hand alters the harmonic or melodic parameter, creating various moods. In the lively and grotesque Vive, both hands converge equally. There are discreet references to various musical styles and the work is essentially based on a steady rhythm and the “principle of addition”.
Kostas Karyotakes (1896 - 1928) was one of the most important Greek poets and belongs to the midwar generation. Being by nature an introverted, melancholic and non-comforming pessimist as well as imaginative and sentimental, he shot himself at the age of 32, just as he was becoming accepted within the poetic circle. He wrote three collections of poems. The last one, Elegy and Satires, written in 1927, is filled with sombre thoughts. It is the collection from which the two poems of this album were taken. They were written for a mixed choir of four voices, or alternatively, a small four-voice ensemble. Especially the second poem is considered his best. The first song was part of my thesis at conservatory. The vocal-choral presentation, making use of, among others, various singing effects, tries to express the tragic but at the same time sarcastic atmosphere of the poems. They have been translated into English by A. Apostolou.
People is a variation on a theme, which is not presented, but constitutes the invisible “social network” of a modern metropolis. The title refers to people, and more specifically types of people around us. Every variation refers to a different character: the sensuous (with musical reference to L. Bernstein), the persistent (reference to L. Brouwer), the romantic, the hyperactive, the light-hearted, the expressive, the common, the rough (reference to A. Schnittke), the religious (reference to J. S. Bach) and the dynamic (reference to D. Shostakovich). The first version (op. 31a, for violin, alto saxophone and piano) was written in 2003 for the Olympic Trio, which also performed it for the first time. The second version (that of the album) was created in 2004.
Themis Tassoulis (1936 – 2008) studied cinematography in Paris, where he lived between 1960 - 1974. He is considered one of the most important modernist Greek poets, with a prolific volume of work (10 books to date), translated in various languages. In 2006 the Academy of Athens awarded him with the S. Matrangas award for his book “The Comedy of Attraction”. He lived with his family in Athens until he passed away.
The poem When the Stone belongs to the collection Purple Minor (Plethron Publications) and the other three are to be found in the anthology Rising Diamonds (Ostria Publications). The first setting to music of the poems was done in 1984, as a result of being personally moved by Themis’ poems. In 1999 I reformed them accompanied by guitar (op.10a). The following year (2000) saw the creation of the piano version in the original Greek (but also in English), which is heard here and was published (in both languages) by Musical Editions Papagrigoriou - Nakas (ΕΡΝ 948). The first performance of the piano version was in 2000 by D. Panourgia and N. Karali. The translation of the poems in English is by Ion Anagnostaras.
In Elegiaco for Woodwind Quintet the instruments have fairly balanced roles and each of them presents a bigger or smaller solo part. The form is relatively free and the music is lyrical, through various changes in the character and style. The Baroque references portray the relevance of the esoteric characteristics of this period with the respective 20th century ones. The transformation of patterns leads towards the end to a dramatic intensification, using pure Baroque reference, as if they were the credit titles of an imaginary movie. It was written in 1999 and was first performed in Athens in 2001 by the Echo quintet. The live recording (by the Slovenian television during the international ISCM festival in 2003) worked its own miracle. It was the last piece to be played and during the Marcia Funebre (deadly march) with the cornet and bassoon, the microphones recorded the clock of the Piran cathedral striking midnight.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Constantinos P. Cavafy (1863 - 1933) is one of the most important Greek poets, renowned the world over. His 154 poems with his unique, personal way of writing, have become the subject of numerous studies. Historical references, human and philosophical concerns and eroticism are some of the elements which are intertwined in the work of the great poet. Sam-El-Nesim (the name Egyptians give to their annual spring excursion to the countryside) belongs to his so-called 26 Disowned Poems. To be precise, the authorship of these poems was never proven. The other two are among the most important and famous ones.
The three songs were written in 2005, at the request of the Greek Community of Cairo, which was then celebrating 100 since its founding. They were first performed, by the very musicians of this recording, at a celebration at the Athens Megaron. In this work, apart from the proper representation of the text and its atmosphere, I also tried to express all the meanings between the lines.
I hope you enjoy listening!
Leonidas Kanaris
About the musicians (in order of appearance)
Soprano Daphne Panourghia studied song at the Athens Conservatory in the class of M. Charalambidou (solo vocal class) and Physical Education and Athletics at the University of Athens. She continued her vocal studies with F. Voutsinos and D. Kalafatis. She has collaborated with the following Greek organisations:
-The Opera Studio of the National Opera House (Kiss me Kate by C. Porter), the National Opera House (Hansel and Gretel by E. Humperdinch, The Chessboard Runaways by G.Kouroupos, The Magic Flute by W. A. Mozart and The Marksman by Weber).
-The National Theatre - Experimental Stage (Hasis by Gouzelis and Woman of Zakynthos by D. Solomos - directed by S.Tsakiris).
-Rhoes Dance Theatre, Greek Composers’ Union (performing works by P. Hindemith, Th. Antoniou, B. Kanas and others), the Orchestra of Colours, the Manos Hadjidakis Music Ensemble and several Greek composers (such as Ν. Mavroudis, Al. Papastefanou, N. Kipourgos, M. Grigoriou, Ch. Apostolatou, G. Metalinos, G. Scouris, L. Kanaris, N.Taylor) as well as songwriters (Ludovikos of Anogeia, Apurimac, D.Tsaknis, N. Georgaki) in concerts, performances and recordings. She has been a member of the Afros and Emmeleia choirs, as well as the Greek Radio and Television Choir. She teaches song at the Municipal Conservatory of Zografou (Athens).
Pianist Nicole Karali was born in Warsaw to Greek parents. She started her piano studies there, where she completed basic training at the F. Chopin National Conservatory. In 1976 she moved to Athens where she continued her studies at the Athens Conservatory in the class of Maria Chairogiorgou, from where she graduated with a Piano Diploma. At the same time, she took classes and seminars with well-known pianists, such as: Nelli Semitekolo, Konstantin & Julia Ganev and others. Followingly, she was awarded a scholarship by the Polish State for postgraduate studies at the F. Chopin Academy of Warsaw, where she was taught by pianist A. Paleta, as well as renowned pianist and music educator Jan Ekier.
After completing her studies she begins her artistic endeavours, focusing on chamber music, collaborating with important musicians in various ensembles. Among these are: P. Raptis (tenor) M. Moutsiou (soprano), D. Panourghia (soprano), M. Polychronou (soprano), A. Kathariou (mezzo), N. Patrikidou (violin), D. Stankovic (flute). She has worked with the Ensemble of Modern Music under Th. Antoniou. Her repertoir, among others, includes many pieces by Greek composers, such as G. Konstantininids, D. Dragatakis, N. Mamangakis, N. Taylor, L. Kanaris etc. She has given concerts in Greece and Poland, receiving great praise for her performance. She has been teaching piano for more than 20 years in various music schools and the last 13 years she has been a piano instructor at the Ilion Music School (Athens).
Vocal Ensemble Emmeleia
Sopranos: Fani Antonelou (track 8), Lora Vovoni (track 9). Alto: Louisa Koula (8, 9). Tenors: Valery Oreshkin (8), Georgios Kyriazis (9). Baritone: Vagelis Maniatis (8, 9)
Conductor: Valery Oreshkin
Founded in November 1994 by some young enthusiastic singers and maestro Valery Oreshkin, its main aim was the performance and distribution of rare pieces of old as well as modern music. It has appeared in concerts in Athens (at the Athens Music Hall, the Herodium, the Theatre of Lycabetus etc) and the rest of Greece (the Small Theatre of Epidaurus etc). The repertoire includes vocal compositions of the Rennaisance, Baroque, 20th and 21st c, as well as cantatas by J. S. Bach, H. Schutz, D. Buxtehude, A. Vivaldi and L. Perosi.
Works by Greek composers, some played for the first time, are prominent among those in the ensemble’s repertoire. The choir has also worked with various instrumental ensembles, the Orchestra of Colours and the Greek Composers’ Union.
Stella Tsani (violin) graduated from the class of soloist Tatsis Apostolides, earning a Violin Diploma with a “Unanimous Excellent and First Prize” mark. Since then she has received various awards in competitions and recorded for radio and television, as well as films and albums. She has performed solo in recitals and chamber music concerts, presented many compositions for the first time, given many concerts as a soloist with Greek and international orchestras, and worked with important conductors from both Greece and abroad.
She is a founding member of Ellemis piano quartet, with which she recorded her first album with music by Johannes Brahms and Ernest Chausson, published in 2004 by Subways Music, and receiving great critical praise. In November 2005 Subways Music publishes her second CD, entitled Hellanion, where with Elena Chounta on piano she performs music by Skalkottas, Kalomiris, Antoniou, Konitopoulos and Kanaris.
She is also the first violin in the L’ Anima string quartet, with which -among others- she has appeared at the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Mansion at the invitation of the Greek Presidency and the government. She has also appeared (with the same group) at the Stoa of Attalos at the European Union Expansion Ceremony, before the 25 heads of state and delegations from the EU member-states, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Presidency of the EU.
Gerta Sinaj (viola) started studying the violin at the age of 7. Eight years later, she moved on to the viola and completed her studies at the Academy of Tirana, where she obtained her Viola Diploma with a “Unanimous Excellent” mark. She was the top viola at the Tirana Radio Symphonic Orchestra. As a member of the String Quartet of the Tirana Radio, she was distinguished at an international competition in Spain.
She has been a member of the L’ Anima string quartet since 1998, with which -among othersshe has appeared at the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Mansion at the invitation of the Greek Presidency and the government. She has also appeared (with the same group) at the Stoa of Attalos at the European Union Expansion Ceremony, before the 25 heads of state and delegations from the EU member-states, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Presidency of the EU. She has appeared at the most important concert venues in Greece, recorded for the national Radio and Television and is a member of the Athens State Orchestra.
Lefki Colovou (cello) studied at the class of Lefteris Papastavrou, earning her Violoncello Diploma with an “Excellent and Unanimous Distinction” mark. She took part in the Morz seminars in Switzerland, attended a post-graduate course with professor Jaap Kruithof in the Netherlands and continued her studies next to Renato Rippo in Greece.
She is a founding member of Ellemis piano quartet, as well as the L’ Anima string quartet. At the same time, she collaborates with the Greek Composers’ Union, the Camerata orchestra and is a member of the contemporary music ensemble Narcissus.
She has given many recitals in Greece and abroad. She has been a member of the Peiraius Symphonic Orchestra, the ERT National Symphonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of Colours and the Athens Strings and Marsyas ensembles, as well as the Athens State Orchestra.
As a member of the L’ Anima string quartet she has appeared in many events, invited by the Greek government and the Presidency, taking place at the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Mansion and so on. In April 2003, she appeared at the Stoa of Attalos at the European Union Expansion Ceremony, before the 25 heads of state and delegations from the EU member-states, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Presidency of the EU.
In 2004, together with the Ellemis piano quartet, she recorded a CD with music by Johannes Brahms and Ernest Chausson, receiving great critical praise.
Elena Chounta (piano) studied in the class of Dora Bakopoulou and achieved a Piano Diploma with an “Excellent, First Prize” mark and a Gold Medal. Since then she attended seminars in Greece and abroad, won awards in competitions, appeared a soloist in the most famous concert halls in Greece, took part in chamber music recitals and concerts in Greece and abroad and collaborated as a soloist with both Greek and international symphonic orchestras.
She is a founding member of Ellemis piano quartet, with which she recorded her first album with music by Johannes Brahms and Ernest Chausson, published in 2004 by Subways Music, and receiving great critical praise. In November 2005 Subways Music publishes her second CD, entitled Hellanion, where with Stella Tsani on violin she performs music by Skalkotas, Kalomoiris, Antoniou, Konitopoulos and Kanaris. Her recordings have often been played on radio and television and she has performed many new compositions for the first time. She was also distinguished for her talent as a composer at a very young age. She made her first public performance on Greek television, performing her own music, at the age of 11.
She later took composition and orchestration lessons from the Belgian composer and conductor Robert Janssens. Her compositions have been pefrormed by Greek and international orchestras and choirs, musical groups and chamber music ensembles, as well as famous soloists.
At the same time, she is heavily involved in teaching.
Slowind Wind Quintet
Ales Kacjan (flute), Matej Sarc (oboe), Jurij Jenko (clarinet), Paolo Calligaris (bassoon), Metod Tomac (horn)
Slowind is made up of soloists of the Slovene Philharmonic, an orchestra with a rich musical tradition since its beginnings more than 300 years ago. The quintet’s repertoire includes the (rare) good compositions from the classical and romantic periods, but most of the ensemble’s attention is focused on works of the 20th century and new works, which it presents at important festivals at home and abroad. A number of prominent Slovene composers have dedicated works to Slowind, including L. Vrhunc, U. Pompe and others. At least one Slovene work was performed at each concert of their two American tours (New York, Swarthmore, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Chicago), in Toronto (New Music Series), at the Roaring Hoofs Festival in Mongolia, Ars Musica in Brussels, Biennale in Bern, Klangspuren in Schwaz, as well as at concerts in Berlin, Munich, Rome, Florence, Vienna and elsewhere.
For many years, the quintet has organised its own series of chamber concerts in Ljubljana. At these concerts, the musicians present seldom heard works from the chamber literature, in which the wind instruments have a leading role. In various chamber configurations, the quintet is joined by distinguished musical artists: A. Madzar, A. Marchiol, A. Engegard, J. Avery, B. Wulff, V. Globokar, H. Holliger, S. Davislim, C. Iven, R. Aitken and others. In Piran, Slovenia the quintet gives every summer woodwind master classes. For their work to date, Slowind have received the Zupaneie Prize, in 1999, and the Preseren Prize, in 2003. In the future, the Slowind Ensemble is planning further common projects with H. Holliger, A. Lonquich, M. Cantoreggi, Ensemble SurPlus (Freiburg i. Br.), Accroche Note (Strasbourg), S. Sciarrino, P. Dusapin and others.
Michael Tranoudakis was born in Athens. He studied Theatrology at the Popular Experimental Theatre School and Drama at the Veakis Academy. In both these schools he was fortunate enough to be taught by great masters of theatre (Ploritis, Varopoulou, Spathis, Markaris, Michaelides, Lymberopoulou, Veakis, Tsakiroglou etc) who with their personality, knowledge and artistic glamour made him love theatre so much that he did not want to make a business out of it.
Having also studied music (piano and composition), he had a successful career as a composer of songs and music for the theatre with many plays both in Greece and abroad. For several years, he was a member of the Artistic Committee of the Ministry of Education for Music Schools. He teaches music at the Music School of Alimos and the Municipal Conservatory of Moschato (where he is also the artistic director), trying to pass on to young musicians what he has so far gained, (both in terms of formal education but also feelings and experiences).
Soprano Daphne Panourghia studied song at the Athens Conservatory in the class of M. Charalambidou (solo vocal class) and Physical Education and Athletics at the University of Athens. She continued her vocal studies with F. Voutsinos and D. Kalafatis. She has collaborated with the following Greek organisations:
-The Opera Studio of the National Opera House (Kiss me Kate by C. Porter), the National Opera House (Hansel and Gretel by E. Humperdinch, The Chessboard Runaways by G.Kouroupos, The Magic Flute by W. A. Mozart and The Marksman by Weber).
-The National Theatre - Experimental Stage (Hasis by Gouzelis and Woman of Zakynthos by D. Solomos - directed by S.Tsakiris).
-Rhoes Dance Theatre, Greek Composers’ Union (performing works by P. Hindemith, Th. Antoniou, B. Kanas and others), the Orchestra of Colours, the Manos Hadjidakis Music Ensemble and several Greek composers (such as Ν. Mavroudis, Al. Papastefanou, N. Kipourgos, M. Grigoriou, Ch. Apostolatou, G. Metalinos, G. Scouris, L. Kanaris, N.Taylor) as well as songwriters (Ludovikos of Anogeia, Apurimac, D.Tsaknis, N. Georgaki) in concerts, performances and recordings. She has been a member of the Afros and Emmeleia choirs, as well as the Greek Radio and Television Choir. She teaches song at the Municipal Conservatory of Zografou (Athens).
Pianist Nicole Karali was born in Warsaw to Greek parents. She started her piano studies there, where she completed basic training at the F. Chopin National Conservatory. In 1976 she moved to Athens where she continued her studies at the Athens Conservatory in the class of Maria Chairogiorgou, from where she graduated with a Piano Diploma. At the same time, she took classes and seminars with well-known pianists, such as: Nelli Semitekolo, Konstantin & Julia Ganev and others. Followingly, she was awarded a scholarship by the Polish State for postgraduate studies at the F. Chopin Academy of Warsaw, where she was taught by pianist A. Paleta, as well as renowned pianist and music educator Jan Ekier.
After completing her studies she begins her artistic endeavours, focusing on chamber music, collaborating with important musicians in various ensembles. Among these are: P. Raptis (tenor) M. Moutsiou (soprano), D. Panourghia (soprano), M. Polychronou (soprano), A. Kathariou (mezzo), N. Patrikidou (violin), D. Stankovic (flute). She has worked with the Ensemble of Modern Music under Th. Antoniou. Her repertoir, among others, includes many pieces by Greek composers, such as G. Konstantininids, D. Dragatakis, N. Mamangakis, N. Taylor, L. Kanaris etc. She has given concerts in Greece and Poland, receiving great praise for her performance. She has been teaching piano for more than 20 years in various music schools and the last 13 years she has been a piano instructor at the Ilion Music School (Athens).
Vocal Ensemble Emmeleia
Sopranos: Fani Antonelou (track 8), Lora Vovoni (track 9). Alto: Louisa Koula (8, 9). Tenors: Valery Oreshkin (8), Georgios Kyriazis (9). Baritone: Vagelis Maniatis (8, 9)
Conductor: Valery Oreshkin
Founded in November 1994 by some young enthusiastic singers and maestro Valery Oreshkin, its main aim was the performance and distribution of rare pieces of old as well as modern music. It has appeared in concerts in Athens (at the Athens Music Hall, the Herodium, the Theatre of Lycabetus etc) and the rest of Greece (the Small Theatre of Epidaurus etc). The repertoire includes vocal compositions of the Rennaisance, Baroque, 20th and 21st c, as well as cantatas by J. S. Bach, H. Schutz, D. Buxtehude, A. Vivaldi and L. Perosi.
Works by Greek composers, some played for the first time, are prominent among those in the ensemble’s repertoire. The choir has also worked with various instrumental ensembles, the Orchestra of Colours and the Greek Composers’ Union.
Stella Tsani (violin) graduated from the class of soloist Tatsis Apostolides, earning a Violin Diploma with a “Unanimous Excellent and First Prize” mark. Since then she has received various awards in competitions and recorded for radio and television, as well as films and albums. She has performed solo in recitals and chamber music concerts, presented many compositions for the first time, given many concerts as a soloist with Greek and international orchestras, and worked with important conductors from both Greece and abroad.
She is a founding member of Ellemis piano quartet, with which she recorded her first album with music by Johannes Brahms and Ernest Chausson, published in 2004 by Subways Music, and receiving great critical praise. In November 2005 Subways Music publishes her second CD, entitled Hellanion, where with Elena Chounta on piano she performs music by Skalkottas, Kalomiris, Antoniou, Konitopoulos and Kanaris.
She is also the first violin in the L’ Anima string quartet, with which -among others- she has appeared at the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Mansion at the invitation of the Greek Presidency and the government. She has also appeared (with the same group) at the Stoa of Attalos at the European Union Expansion Ceremony, before the 25 heads of state and delegations from the EU member-states, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Presidency of the EU.
Gerta Sinaj (viola) started studying the violin at the age of 7. Eight years later, she moved on to the viola and completed her studies at the Academy of Tirana, where she obtained her Viola Diploma with a “Unanimous Excellent” mark. She was the top viola at the Tirana Radio Symphonic Orchestra. As a member of the String Quartet of the Tirana Radio, she was distinguished at an international competition in Spain.
She has been a member of the L’ Anima string quartet since 1998, with which -among othersshe has appeared at the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Mansion at the invitation of the Greek Presidency and the government. She has also appeared (with the same group) at the Stoa of Attalos at the European Union Expansion Ceremony, before the 25 heads of state and delegations from the EU member-states, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Presidency of the EU. She has appeared at the most important concert venues in Greece, recorded for the national Radio and Television and is a member of the Athens State Orchestra.
Lefki Colovou (cello) studied at the class of Lefteris Papastavrou, earning her Violoncello Diploma with an “Excellent and Unanimous Distinction” mark. She took part in the Morz seminars in Switzerland, attended a post-graduate course with professor Jaap Kruithof in the Netherlands and continued her studies next to Renato Rippo in Greece.
She is a founding member of Ellemis piano quartet, as well as the L’ Anima string quartet. At the same time, she collaborates with the Greek Composers’ Union, the Camerata orchestra and is a member of the contemporary music ensemble Narcissus.
She has given many recitals in Greece and abroad. She has been a member of the Peiraius Symphonic Orchestra, the ERT National Symphonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of Colours and the Athens Strings and Marsyas ensembles, as well as the Athens State Orchestra.
As a member of the L’ Anima string quartet she has appeared in many events, invited by the Greek government and the Presidency, taking place at the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Mansion and so on. In April 2003, she appeared at the Stoa of Attalos at the European Union Expansion Ceremony, before the 25 heads of state and delegations from the EU member-states, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Presidency of the EU.
In 2004, together with the Ellemis piano quartet, she recorded a CD with music by Johannes Brahms and Ernest Chausson, receiving great critical praise.
Elena Chounta (piano) studied in the class of Dora Bakopoulou and achieved a Piano Diploma with an “Excellent, First Prize” mark and a Gold Medal. Since then she attended seminars in Greece and abroad, won awards in competitions, appeared a soloist in the most famous concert halls in Greece, took part in chamber music recitals and concerts in Greece and abroad and collaborated as a soloist with both Greek and international symphonic orchestras.
She is a founding member of Ellemis piano quartet, with which she recorded her first album with music by Johannes Brahms and Ernest Chausson, published in 2004 by Subways Music, and receiving great critical praise. In November 2005 Subways Music publishes her second CD, entitled Hellanion, where with Stella Tsani on violin she performs music by Skalkotas, Kalomoiris, Antoniou, Konitopoulos and Kanaris. Her recordings have often been played on radio and television and she has performed many new compositions for the first time. She was also distinguished for her talent as a composer at a very young age. She made her first public performance on Greek television, performing her own music, at the age of 11.
She later took composition and orchestration lessons from the Belgian composer and conductor Robert Janssens. Her compositions have been pefrormed by Greek and international orchestras and choirs, musical groups and chamber music ensembles, as well as famous soloists.
At the same time, she is heavily involved in teaching.
Slowind Wind Quintet
Ales Kacjan (flute), Matej Sarc (oboe), Jurij Jenko (clarinet), Paolo Calligaris (bassoon), Metod Tomac (horn)
Slowind is made up of soloists of the Slovene Philharmonic, an orchestra with a rich musical tradition since its beginnings more than 300 years ago. The quintet’s repertoire includes the (rare) good compositions from the classical and romantic periods, but most of the ensemble’s attention is focused on works of the 20th century and new works, which it presents at important festivals at home and abroad. A number of prominent Slovene composers have dedicated works to Slowind, including L. Vrhunc, U. Pompe and others. At least one Slovene work was performed at each concert of their two American tours (New York, Swarthmore, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Chicago), in Toronto (New Music Series), at the Roaring Hoofs Festival in Mongolia, Ars Musica in Brussels, Biennale in Bern, Klangspuren in Schwaz, as well as at concerts in Berlin, Munich, Rome, Florence, Vienna and elsewhere.
For many years, the quintet has organised its own series of chamber concerts in Ljubljana. At these concerts, the musicians present seldom heard works from the chamber literature, in which the wind instruments have a leading role. In various chamber configurations, the quintet is joined by distinguished musical artists: A. Madzar, A. Marchiol, A. Engegard, J. Avery, B. Wulff, V. Globokar, H. Holliger, S. Davislim, C. Iven, R. Aitken and others. In Piran, Slovenia the quintet gives every summer woodwind master classes. For their work to date, Slowind have received the Zupaneie Prize, in 1999, and the Preseren Prize, in 2003. In the future, the Slowind Ensemble is planning further common projects with H. Holliger, A. Lonquich, M. Cantoreggi, Ensemble SurPlus (Freiburg i. Br.), Accroche Note (Strasbourg), S. Sciarrino, P. Dusapin and others.
Michael Tranoudakis was born in Athens. He studied Theatrology at the Popular Experimental Theatre School and Drama at the Veakis Academy. In both these schools he was fortunate enough to be taught by great masters of theatre (Ploritis, Varopoulou, Spathis, Markaris, Michaelides, Lymberopoulou, Veakis, Tsakiroglou etc) who with their personality, knowledge and artistic glamour made him love theatre so much that he did not want to make a business out of it.
Having also studied music (piano and composition), he had a successful career as a composer of songs and music for the theatre with many plays both in Greece and abroad. For several years, he was a member of the Artistic Committee of the Ministry of Education for Music Schools. He teaches music at the Music School of Alimos and the Municipal Conservatory of Moschato (where he is also the artistic director), trying to pass on to young musicians what he has so far gained, (both in terms of formal education but also feelings and experiences).