Melissanthi - Poetess of Athens -
5 settings for alto and classical guitar
The poetess Melissanthi [Eve Chougia-Skandalaki - born 1910] died in 1991 at her home in Athens.
Five of her many poems have made a considerable impact on my composing, so, in tribute to her, I dedicate these pages to her memory.
Three friends of Melissanthi have been involved in the creation of the Melissanthi sequence, in addition to myself as composer:
Diana Maynard, who translated the poems into English.
Ilias and Sofia Pontikos who visited me back in 1991 and recorded the poems in the original Greek for me.
5 settings for alto and classical guitar
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Melissanthi Songs For Alto and Guitar. Published by Musik Fabrik. (mfdws021v) See more info... |
The poetess Melissanthi [Eve Chougia-Skandalaki - born 1910] died in 1991 at her home in Athens.
Five of her many poems have made a considerable impact on my composing, so, in tribute to her, I dedicate these pages to her memory.
Three friends of Melissanthi have been involved in the creation of the Melissanthi sequence, in addition to myself as composer:
Diana Maynard, who translated the poems into English.
Ilias and Sofia Pontikos who visited me back in 1991 and recorded the poems in the original Greek for me.
The Capital 1980
sung (mp3)
spoken original (mp3)
song page
Sample page of score (pdf)
The Houses where we have lived
sung (mp3)
spoken original (mp3)
song page
Sample page of score (pdf)
We have cast anchor at midnight
sung (mp3)
spoken original (mp3)
song page
Sample page of score (pdf)
The inside and the outside
sung (mp3)
spoken original (mp3)
song page
Sample page of score (pdf)
Hour Zero
sung (mp3)
spoken original (mp3)
song page
Sample page of score (pdf)
The music used for these poetry settings has also taken on a life of its own:
The first four songs have become guitar duets - named "Honey Flowers" in her honour (since Melissanthi means "bee-flower"!).
The fifth and most dramatic song (Hour Zero) became a piece for strings and flute, called "A Dark Goddess", which was performed with great expertise and passion in June 1999 by the Portsmouth New Music Orchestra (Steve Tanner - flute solo).
The recording (on audio cassette) was not particularly good, unfortunately, but here is an excellent electronic realisation:
A Dark Goddess realised by Richard Cox
Much more can be said about Melissanthi as a person, as a scientist and as a poet, but, as I did not meet her, all I can report is her effect on my music, for which I am truly grateful.
For some more folkloric Greek songs, do visit this page
sung (mp3) spoken original (mp3) song pageSample page of score (pdf)The Houses where we have lived
sung (mp3) spoken original (mp3) song pageSample page of score (pdf)We have cast anchor at midnight
sung (mp3) spoken original (mp3) song pageSample page of score (pdf)The inside and the outside
sung (mp3) spoken original (mp3) song pageSample page of score (pdf)Hour Zero
sung (mp3) spoken original (mp3) song pageSample page of score (pdf)The music used for these poetry settings has also taken on a life of its own:
The first four songs have become guitar duets - named "Honey Flowers" in her honour (since Melissanthi means "bee-flower"!).
 |
Honey Flowers For 2 Guitars. Published by Musik Fabrik. (mfdws021) See more info... |
The fifth and most dramatic song (Hour Zero) became a piece for strings and flute, called "A Dark Goddess", which was performed with great expertise and passion in June 1999 by the Portsmouth New Music Orchestra (Steve Tanner - flute solo).
The recording (on audio cassette) was not particularly good, unfortunately, but here is an excellent electronic realisation:
A Dark Goddess realised by Richard Cox
Much more can be said about Melissanthi as a person, as a scientist and as a poet, but, as I did not meet her, all I can report is her effect on my music, for which I am truly grateful.
For some more folkloric Greek songs, do visit this page