January 8, 1954
ARMAND MARSYK: (From «An Athenian’s Notes»): A cultural anniversary which should not have gone unnoticed in Athens, as it just has, was the 75th birthday of a maestro who was well known to older Athenians, Armand Marsyk. The anniversary was celebrated in Belgium, the homeland of the maestro and composer, particularly in Brussels. Marsyk is closely associated with an entire period (1908-1912) of musical life in Greece and his activities here had many phases, as I am reminded by a friend of this column, Mr N.P. Vergotis. First of all, he revived what had long been an insignificant orchestra, that of the Athens Conservatory (…). Marsyk also offered invaluable services to Greek music by arranging for piano folk songs and dances from the Peloponnese and Crete, collected by the late K. Psachos. (…) and played Greek works. He trained musicians who later distinguished themselves either as composers or conductors. Some of Marsyk’s students included Dimitris Mitropoulos, C. Vryonidis, L. Margaritis, G. Sklavos, F. Economidis, E. Spylios, and G. Karalivanos.
