As a Chronicle

Abstract or Summary:

The theme of the article is the author’s personal and professional relationship with the composer Yorgos Sicilianos and his significant contributions to Greek music. The narrative begins with the author’s early efforts to form a string orchestra in the 1960s and describes the limited musical activities in Athens during that time. It highlights Sicilianos’s efforts to elevate the standard of orchestral music in Greece, particularly through his role in bringing the Radio Orchestra of Greece out of isolation and including contemporary Greek compositions in its programs.

The article reflects on the author’s interactions with Sicilianos, noting his support and inspiration for young musicians. It recounts specific instances of collaboration, such as the commissioning of Paysages Op. 36 for percussion and orchestra, and the direction of Sicilianos’s opera The Fire Op. 42. The author describes these works as innovative and challenging, showcasing Sicilianos’s mastery of modern musical techniques and his ability to integrate complex elements into cohesive compositions.

Furthermore, the article mentions the study and analysis of Sicilianos’s various works, Concerto for Orchestra, String Quartet No. 4, Mellichomeide, Symphony No. 1 and No. 2, Etudes Compositionnelles, emphasizing his exploration of contemporary musical theories and his commitment to artistic evolution. The author concludes by acknowledging the profound impact and enduring significance of Sicilianos’s oeuvre, suggesting that his work is exceptionally substantial for the relatively small musical landscape of Greece.

An abbreviated version of this article forms part of the English supplement at the end of this volume (page 281).