Manos Hadjidakis

(1925-1994)

A Tribute by Stathis Gotsis

Manos Hadjidakis first appeared on the Greek musical scene in the late 40's. His first works include music for the Art Theatre of Karolos Koun and for several films. He shook up the conservative musical circles of the post war era with his now famous speech on the "Rebetica Songs" which were considered underground till that time. His love for "pure beauty", which he found in the "Rebetica Songs" resulted in two great LP's based on the Rebetica Songs, "Lilacs on the Dead Earth" and "Cruel April of 1945".

His musical genius was evident from his very first works and soon he became one of Greece's eminent composers, who together with Mikis Theodorakis are considered the founders of a Contemporary "School" of Greek Music. The music of Manos Hadjidakis is characterised by his beautiful melodies, wonderful orchestrations and a great sense of perfection.

His works include tens of cycles of songs, film music (he won an Academy Award for his song "Never on Sunday" in 1961), music for the theatre ("The Birds" of Aristophanes is a masterpiece in my opinion) and also symphonic music. During the last years of his life he founded a symphony orchestra dedicated to music not usually played by other major symphony orchestras either because of their conservatism or programming considerations to attract a full audience. The orchestra is called "Orchestra of Colors" and is still in existence continuing his legacy.

This page will soon include an extended ergography/discography of the composer and hopefully a few more musical samples.

Midi Files*

Copyright © 1998 Stathis D. Gotsis

* Orchestrations by Stathis D. Gotsis based partially on piano arrangements by Tassos Karakatsanis