Contemporary Greek works at the Megaron
Six Greek composers – namely Dimitris Agrafiotis, Haralambos Kanas, Spyros Mazis, Panayiotis Liaropoulos, Yiannis Psathas and Alkis Baltas – are joining forces for a concert at the Athens Concert Hall next Monday, January 10. At the Dimitris Mitropoulos Hall and under the baton of Thodoros Antoniou, the Contemporary Music Greek Ensemble will interpret works by the above Greek artists, while the audience will get a chance to familiarize themselves with the contemporary wing of the Greek classical music scene. At the Athens Concert Hall, music lovers will listen to representative works stemming from a rich, but not widely known, local production. The works On the program of next week’s concert are the following works: «Variations and Theme» (2004) composed by Dimitris Agrafiotis; «Piano Quintet» (1999-2000) by Yiannis Psathas; «Chamber Symphony opus 42» (2004) by Babis Kanas, a work commissioned by the Athens Concert Hall; «Following the Stream,» Opus 70, composed by Spyros Mazis in 2004; «Elegy» (2004) by Panayiotis Liaropoulos; and «Music for Joyful Octet – Paganini Variations» (2004) by Alkis Baltas. More widely known as a maestro rather than a composer, Dimitris Agrafiotis studied violin, musical theory and composition, while earning a diploma in orchestra conducting from the Salzburg Academy of Music. Many of Yiannis Psathas’s works have become core pieces in the repertoires of a number of prominent percussionists around the world. One of the composer’s main sources of inspiration is the musical tradition of the Greek isles. A flautist and flute professor, Babis Kanas teaches musical theory at the Athens Conservatory. Following various awards and distinctions at composition competitions, Spyros Mazis has presented his works both in Greece and abroad. One of his many projects involved the design of the «Bach Analysis» computing program. Panayiotis Liaropoulos’s compositions include works for solos, chamber music ensembles and orchestras. Besides composing, Alkis Baltas has also served as artistic director of the Thessaloniki State Orchestra, the National Opera’s orchestra and Greek Radio and Television’s Musical Ensembles. Athens Concert Hall, 1, Kokkali & Vas. Sofias, tel 210.728.2333. The concert starts at 8.30 p.m.
