Ioannis
Fulias, “‘Antis gia Oneiro’: Attempting a
restoration and a comprehension of pebbles of the New-Hellenic Art Music”, Polyphonia 7, Athens 2005, p. 93-146.
In 2004, the Hellenic Culture Organisation – Cultural Olympiad released the 12-CD collection “Antis gia Oneiro” [“Instead of a Dream”]. Works
by Greek Composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, which contains
recordings of 23 orchestral works, 16 chamber works (including some pieces for
solo piano), one complete opera, as well as of 21 choral compositions and 29
art songs for voice and piano by 39 different and mostly representative Greek
composers. In the first two parts of this paper are briefly examined the main
criteria for the choice of the total repertory, and matters of quality
regarding the edition itself and the musical interpretations. However, the
larger part of this article is devoted to a critical presentation of all the
recorded works by genre, occasionally style and – as far as possible – in
chronological order. Many compositions are put under a bit more analytical
investigation, in order to be demonstrated some special and remarkable features
in these. Furthermore, several creative influences or interesting similarities
among different composers and “schools” are pointed out, which allow a modern
and more holistic approach of the evolution of the New-Hellenic Art Music,
beyond any insipid prejudices of the (not very distant) past.
© Ioannis
Fulias