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Mikis Theodorakis Celebrates 90

Jul. 01, 2015

Mikis Theodorakis Celebrates 90

On July 29, 2015, the great Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis celebrates his 90th birthday. Theodorakis's international popularity, the breadth of his artistic oeuvre, as well as his work as an uncompromising freedom fighter make him one of the most important figures in contemporary history. In a unique way, his works intertwine the major political events of the 20th century with his individual experiences and singular musical voice. 

In the early 1950's, Theodorakis first achieved success as a composer of symphonic and chamber works. Among his supporters and admirers were Dmitri Shostakovitch, Hanns Eisler, Benjamin Britten, and Darius Milhaud. After studying at the Paris Conservatoire (with Olivier Messiaen, among others),Theodorakis returned to Athens in 1960 where he delved into the roots of Greek music. His oratorios and song cycles written in the following twenty years were politically and socially motivated and aimed to unite the common man. Theodorakis would eventually become one of the leading reformers of Greece. During the Greek military junta (1967-1974) he put up a fierce resistance. His music was banned, he was arrested several times, tortured and finally deported to exile in Paris in 1970. After his return to Athens in 1974 he again became involved as a political reformer, but in 1980 returned to Paris. There, he composed a number of symphonic works and created new interpretations of stories from classical Greek mythology in operas such as Medea, Elektra and Antigone.

The composer's comprehensive oeuvre covers an extraordinary spectrum: Apart from almost 1,000 songs, it comprises grand operas, ballets, oratorios, symphonies and solo concertos, as well as chamber and film music. Many works were conducted by Theodorakis himself, but also by conductors such as Thomas Beecham, Charles Dutoit and Zubin Mehta. The Greek atmosphere, passion and melodic strength of his music has delighted audiences all over the world for decades. The globally popular Zorba’s Dance—inextricably linked with Greek music—contributed to the success of the classic film Zorba the Greek, starring Anthony Quinn. 

Theodorakis embodies the type of musically outstanding and socially committed artist who speaks at all times for freedom and justice and who, even as a world-famous composer, assumed political office himself. Even today, in the times of Greece's severe economic crises, Theodorakis remains popular as an important voice of his nation and as an experienced and firmly positioned political leader. 

For more information on Mikis Theodorakis, visit schott-music.com.

Mikis Theodorakis
Medea (1988-1990)
a lyric tragedy in two acts
libretto (Greek) by Mikis Theodorakis
for soprano, 2 mezzo-sopranos, 2 tenors, 2 baritones, bass-baritone and mixed chorus
pic.2.2(2.ca).2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.3perc-hp-str
240’ 

Elektra (1992-1993)
a lyric tragedy in two acts
libretto (Greek) by Spyros Evangelatos
for soprano, alto, mezzo-soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, bass-baritone and mixed chorus
3(3.pic).2.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.3perc-str
160’ 

Antigone (1994-1996)
a lyric tragedy in two acts
libretto (Greek) by Mikis Theodorakis after texts by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides
for soprano, mezzo-soprano, 2 tenors, 2 baritones, bass-baritone, bass and mixed chorus
pic.2.2.ca.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.4perc-str
135’

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