Orchestra of Colours

The Orchestra of Colours (Ορχήστρα των Χρωμάτων) was established on November 14, 1989, by the renowned Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis. It was envisioned as a unique musical ensemble offering a distinctive perspective on classical and symphonic music in Greece. The orchestra has collaborated with various composers and directors, such as Giorgos Kouroupos, Nikos Kypourgos, and director Vasilis Nikolaidis, highlighting its unique approach to music.

Musicians of the Orchestra of Colours, like Sokratis Anthis and Giorgos Kindynis, have emphasized the differences that marked this orchestra and the persistent struggle of Manos Hadjidakis to establish and support his choices. Soloist Dora Bakopoulou fondly recalls her collaboration with Hadjidakis for the orchestra’s first performance and her personal and artistic relationship with him. Similarly, conductor Miltos Logiadis reminisces about his invitation from Hatzidakis and his decision to join the orchestra, explaining his strong alignment with Hadjidakis’ vision.

The concert organizer Maria Mate describes how Manos Hadjidakis organized and cared for the financial survival of the orchestra, often ignoring the advice he received to the contrary. The Orchestra of Colours has faced financial challenges, especially in the late 2000s. In 2008, the president of the orchestra, Giorgos Stefanakis, resigned, citing the orchestra’s financial problems, which he attributed to the state’s responsibility. Despite laws mandating state funding for operational expenses, the artistic director Giorgos Kouroupos claimed that the issues arose because the full subsidy was not included in the regular budget of the Ministry of Culture. As a result, musicians were left unpaid for periods extending over eight months between 2006 and 2008. In 2009, the “Music and Cinema” event series was canceled due to cuts in annual state funding, leading to dilemmas about reducing either the number of musicians or the programs they conducted.

The orchestra’s concert program includes various series such as Greek Music, Music and Cinema, Music and Literature, and 20th Century Composers. Additionally, the orchestra has been involved in events that feature works by young Greek composers and has put on concerts showcasing the works of composers like Ives, Shostakovich, Weill, Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Schnittke, Ligeti, and Henze. A noteworthy event was a concert where children and teenagers, aged 8 to 18, performed as soloists, presenting concertos from the classical and romantic repertoire, demonstrating the orchestra’s commitment to fostering young talent.

Source: Wikipedia