Greece - Korina Miller [44]
Composer Vangelis Papathanasiou is best known for film scores, including Oscar-winner Chariots of Fire, Blade Runner and more recently Alexander. Stamatis Spanoudakis wrote the excellent soundtrack to Brides, while Evanthia Remboutsika and Eleni Karaindrou have also written award-winning film scores.
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The syrtaki dance, immortalised by Anthony Quinn in the final scene of Zorba the Greek, was in fact a dance he improvised, as he had injured his leg the day before the shoot and could not perform the traditional steps and leaps originally planned.
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Dance
Dancing has been part of social life in Greece since the dawn of Hellenism. Some folk dances derive from the ritual dances performed in ancient Greek temples. The syrtos is depicted on ancient Greek vases and there are references to dances in Homer’s works. Many Greek folk dances are performed in a circular formation; in ancient times, dancers formed a circle in order to seal themselves off from evil influences or would dance around an altar, tree, figure or object. Dancing was part of military education; in times of occupation it became an act of defiance and a way to keep fit.
Dance styles often reflect the climate of the region or disposition of the participants, and dance is a way of expressing sorrow and joy.
In Epiros, the stately tsamikos is slow and dignified, reflecting the often cold and insular nature of mountain life. The Pontian Greeks, on the contrary, have vigorous and warlike dances such as the kotsari, reflecting years of altercations with their Turkish neighbours. On Crete you have the graceful and slow syrtos, the fast and triumphant maleviziotiko and the dynamic pentozali, which has a slow and fast version, in which the leader impresses with high kicks and leaps.
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RECOMMENDED LISTENING
40 Hronia Tsitsanis Original recordings of the classics of Vasilis Tsitsanis by some of the leading Greek singers.
Anthologio A musical journey with Greece’s most formidable female singer Haris Alexiou, covering her most memorable hits from 1975 to 2003.
Auti I Nyhta Menei A double-CD of some of the most memorable songs from the voice of an era, Stelios Kazantzidis.
Dinata (2008) Songstress Eleftheria Arvanitaki’s best compilation from 1986 to 2007.
Hatzidakis at the Roman Agora Double-CD compilation spanning Manos Hatzidakis’ works from 1947 to 1985, or his timeless classical recording.
Itane Mia Fora A two-CD collection covering a broad range of music from Crete’s favourite son, Nikos Xylouris.
Me Ton Grigori An anthology of Grigoris Bithikotsis, one of the greatest Greek voices, with songs covering the gamut of Greek music.
Mode Plagal III (2001) The third self-titled album by this contemporary jazz-folk fusion band features some distinguished vocalists, including Savina Yiannatou, Eleni Tsaligopoulou, Theodora Tsatsou and Yota Vei.
Neroponti (2009) The latest album from Alkinoos Ioannidis.
Stin Agora Tou Kosmou (1993) The album that launched Alkinoos Ioannidis’ career.
Ta Rembetika An excellent two-CD compilation of original recordings of rembetika from Greece’s national broadcaster, featuring all the foremost exponents of the genre.
The Very Best of Mikis Theodorakis A special-edition three-CD set covering the acclaimed composer’s music from 1960 to 2000.
The Very Best of Stavros Xarhakos A good compilation of the composer’s work sung by great Greek voices such as Xylouris and Bithikotsis.
To Hamogelo tis Tzokontas Manos Hatzidakis’ timeless classical recording.
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The islands, with their bright and cheery atmosphere, give rise to light, springy dances such as the ballos