A Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis Tickets

Music

Mikis Theodorakis, one of Greece's most renowned composers, passed away on September 2, 2021 at the age of 96. His contributions to music and culture have been immense in his long and dynamic career, spanning more than six decades.

Born in 1925 on the tiny island of Chios in Greece, Theodorakis grew up surrounded by the rich cultural traditions of his homeland. He began playing the piano at a young age and showed an extraordinary talent for music. He studied at the Athens Conservatory and later went to Paris to further his studies at the Sorbonne.

A true artist who lived through some of his country's darkest times, Theodorakis was always a deeply political and social figure. He was involved in Greek resistance against both the Nazi occupation of Greece and later its military dictatorship, spending years in prison and exile.

His music reflects his political views, but it also displays a keen sense of beauty and lyricism that transcends politics. Theodorakis drew heavily on Greek folk music and classical traditions, creating works that were both emotionally powerful and deeply grounded in the physical world.

Theodorakis was perhaps best known for his film scores, including Zorba the Greek, which won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. His other works include numerous orchestral works, choral compositions, and operas.

Some of his most famous compositions include the ballets 'Antigone,' 'Electra,' 'Lysistrata,' and 'Zorba the Greek.' In addition to his film scores, he wrote several politically inspired pieces such as his 'Epitaphio Mauthausen' (Memorial to Mauthausen) and his 'Ballad of Mauthausen.' An important moment came in 1964 with the premiere of his suite Epitafios, based on poetry by Yiannis Ritsos.

Theodorakis was a master of orchestration, capable of producing both grandiose epics and intimate chamber pieces with equal skill. He combined the timbres and styles of various traditional instruments along with classical ones to fashion a unique sound that is all his own.

In addition, his music conveyed potent messages of social justice and political change, and thus gained a widespread following in Greece and the world over. His music could be heard at gatherings of anti-fascists in Latin America, solidarity meetings for Palestine in Beirut, or on the barricades in Paris during the May 1968 uprising.

Mikis Theodorakis died leaving a legacy of works that transcend borderlines, and even though his songwriting was often politically motivated he also had the ability to mesmerize the audience with melodies that touch our hearts deep within. With his tragic passing, he leaves behind a profound mark on Greek culture and classical music alike and an indelible impact within the musical landscape of the twentieth century.