Reel
Old Karsilamas from Lesvos
"Old karsilamas" is a tune that we owe to the violinist Charilaos Rodanos from Agiasos, Lesvos. It blends elements of Smyrnaean music and the local music of Lesvos. It reflects the colours of wind instruments like the trumpet and clarinet which have often been part of the orchestration. Its melodic movement in the upper tetrachord of the scale gives it a soul-raising character while the zeibekiko rhythm gives it intense gravity and solidity.
Musicians: Kyriakos Gouventas, Pavlos Mélas, Ioanna Riga and Dimitris Tsekouras. Mixed by Giorgos Kariotis at Sierra Studios, Athens. Filmed by Pavlos Kosmidis. Edited by Rachel Kalatzopoulou
"Old karsilamas" is a tune that we owe to the violinist Charilaos Rodanos from Agiasos, Lesvos. It blends elements of Smyrnaean music and the local music of Lesvos. It reflects the colours of wind instruments like the trumpet and clarinet which have often been part of the orchestration. Its melodic movement in the upper tetrachord of the scale gives it a soul-raising character while the zeibekiko rhythm gives it intense gravity and solidity.
Musicians: Kyriakos Gouventas, Pavlos Mélas, Ioanna Riga and Dimitris Tsekouras. Mixed by Giorgos Kariotis at Sierra Studios, Athens. Filmed by Pavlos Kosmidis. Edited by Rachel Kalatzopoulou
Amygdalaki Tsakisa" - "An Almond I Cracked".
Instrumental version and improvisation by Kyriakos Gouventas.
Lyricism and erotic love captured in one traditional melody. The almond is a symbol of emotional and physical union. The song comes from Smyrna, where lyricism is common in poetry. The phrase "amygdalaki tsakisa" - "an almond I cracked" is found in many songs created by anonymous musicians who combined melodic lines and lyrics of unknown origin. These songs were brought to the Aegean islands and ports by the Greek refugees in the beginning of the 20th century.
Musicians: Kyriakos Gouventas, Pavlos Mélas, Ioanna Riga and Dimitris Tsekouras. Mixed by Giorgos Kariotis at Sierra Studios, Athens. Filmed by Pavlos Kosmidis. Edited by Rachel Kalatzopoulou.
Instrumental version and improvisation by Kyriakos Gouventas.
Lyricism and erotic love captured in one traditional melody. The almond is a symbol of emotional and physical union. The song comes from Smyrna, where lyricism is common in poetry. The phrase "amygdalaki tsakisa" - "an almond I cracked" is found in many songs created by anonymous musicians who combined melodic lines and lyrics of unknown origin. These songs were brought to the Aegean islands and ports by the Greek refugees in the beginning of the 20th century.
Musicians: Kyriakos Gouventas, Pavlos Mélas, Ioanna Riga and Dimitris Tsekouras. Mixed by Giorgos Kariotis at Sierra Studios, Athens. Filmed by Pavlos Kosmidis. Edited by Rachel Kalatzopoulou.
Aptaliko
Aptaliko is the most popular zeibekiko melody from Asia Minor and particularly the region of Smyrna. As a composition it is a typical example of Smyrnaean music. Its cheerful, "sea-going" character contrasts the heavy and aristocratic character of Constantinople; Aptaliko has been mainly orchestrated with santouri and violin. The best known recording is the one by Ioannis Dragatsis/Ogdontakis, the most important representative of the violin school of Smyrna. In addition to its instrumental versions, Aptaliko has been sung with Greek lyrics by Rosa Eskenazy. It has also been sung with Turkish lyrics.
Musicians: Kyriakos Gouventas, Pavlos Mélas, Ioanna Riga and Dimitris Tsekouras. Mixed by Giorgos Kariotis at Sierra Studios, Athens. Filmed by Pavlos Kosmidis. Edited by Rachel Kalatzopoulou.
Aptaliko is the most popular zeibekiko melody from Asia Minor and particularly the region of Smyrna. As a composition it is a typical example of Smyrnaean music. Its cheerful, "sea-going" character contrasts the heavy and aristocratic character of Constantinople; Aptaliko has been mainly orchestrated with santouri and violin. The best known recording is the one by Ioannis Dragatsis/Ogdontakis, the most important representative of the violin school of Smyrna. In addition to its instrumental versions, Aptaliko has been sung with Greek lyrics by Rosa Eskenazy. It has also been sung with Turkish lyrics.
Musicians: Kyriakos Gouventas, Pavlos Mélas, Ioanna Riga and Dimitris Tsekouras. Mixed by Giorgos Kariotis at Sierra Studios, Athens. Filmed by Pavlos Kosmidis. Edited by Rachel Kalatzopoulou.