Stories told in songs in new Greek CD
The impressive works of the exhibition «The Golden Age of Dutch Painting» at the National Gallery formed the backdrop to the presentation yesterday of a new, very special CD, «Aliki Kagialoglou Sings Hadjidakis» (I Aliki Kagialoglou tragoudaei Mano Hadjidaki). The presentation was introduced by National Gallery Director Marina Lambraki-Plaka, who waxed enthusiastic about the National Gallery hosting such events. «It is important to embrace people like Manos Hadjidakis, who turned poetry into popular song. Our aim is to make high art a fashion, and not ‘Big Brother.’» Feeling a little stage fright and simultaneously disarming, Aliki Kagialoglou, who undertook both the direction and production of her new record (the Alpha group agreed to sponsor it at the last minute), welcomed her audience, made up of artists, friends and students. «I always tell a personal story with what I am about to sing,» she said. Her new work is a «tender way of thanking Manos Hadjidakis. The songs were not chosen at random. They are much-loved songs that have been sung a thousand times, such as ‘Ta Paidia tou Peiraia,’ ‘Pame mia Volta sto Fengari’ and ‘S’Agapo.’» They are songs she sang as an adolescent, trying to imitate the unforgettable voices of those who interpreted them. «I still have all the tenderness I felt for them then. Some people wonder why I don’t try something new. What do they mean by old or new? Hadjidakis’s works have the magical ability to be reborn.» After this introduction, the singer, with Miltos Logiadis on the piano (who also accompanies her on the CD), interpreted four of the songs included on the new recording: «Ximeronei,» «Echo ena Mystiko,» «Kapou Yparchei i Agapi Mou,» and «Ilissos.» Warm and sustained applause greeted the rendering of «Omorphi pou einai i Kriti,» while good wine and delicious tidbits were proffered after the show.
