Mikis Theodorakis - 1925 -> 2/9/2021

ATHENS, Greece, September 2, 2021

Mikis Theodorakis, the beloved and internationally known Greek composer, whose music and political life are also well-known abroad, died on September 2nd, 2021. He was 96.

Theodorakis’ career, which started in his early years, produced a hugely varied body of work. He has composed Symphonic music, music for operas, ballet, and chamber music, and of course a very big number of Greek songs.

Apart from his musical career, he is also remembered by Greeks for his stubborn opposition to postwar regimes and dictatorships.?

He will be never forgotten.

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Mikis Theodorakis was born in 1925 on the island of Xios. He is one of the most important Greek composers, lyricists, and Greek orchestra directors. He composed music based on the lyrics of award-winning poets of Greek and foreign origin, such as Giannis Ritsos, Odysseus Elytis, Giorgos Seferis, Pablo Neruda, Frederico Garcia Lorca…

After studying in Paris, and upon his return to Greece in 1960, he recorded for the first time the “Epitaph” of Giannis Ritsos. In the same year, Mikis Theodorakis started writing the music for the “Axion Esti” (Poetry of Odysseus Elytis), as well as the music for “Epifaneia” (Poetry of Girogos Seferis).

In 1964 M. Theodorakis composed the internationally well-known Greek instrumental song “Zorbas” (also known as “sirtaki dance”). For this song, Mikis Theodorakis was nominated for a Grammy. (Click HERE to listen to it).

In 1970 he was awarded the BAFTA Prize for the music in the movie Z.

His compositions have been performed by world-renowned artists such as The Beatles, Shirley Basei, Joan Baez, and Edith Piaf.

During the dictatorship in Greece (1967-1974), because of his left-wing political believes, he was arrested, imprisoned, exiled, and his life was endangered. Thanks to international movement by personalities like Dimitri Shostakovich, Laurence Olivier, Yve Montand, Arthur Miller, and others, the Greek Junta was forced to let him free and travel to Paris in 1970.

After the fall of the dictatorship in 1974, he returned to Greece and gave many concerts together with known singer Maria Farantouri. He was very active in political debates and was elected twice with the communist party in the Greek Parliament.

In 1983 he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize.

He has composed Symphonic music, music for Operas, Ballet, and Chamber music, and of course a great number of songs.

?χει συνθ?σει συμφων?ε?, ?περε?, μπαλ?τα, μουσικ? δωματ?ου, μουσικ? για τον κινηματογρ?φο και ?ναν τερ?στιο αριθμ? τραγουδι?ν.

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Do you want to learn more about Mikis Theodorakis, and his compositions in “entechno music”?

In?February 2021 I made eBook, together with Omilo, about the two well-known Greek composers Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Xatzidakis, and their “entechno music”. An eBook full of useful information, lyrics of the songs, links to the songs, and extra exercises to improve your Greek.

Everything in Greek and English, and available at my eShop, click here

https://masaresi.com/product/greek-entechna-songs-part-1/