Interview in Ta Nea Newspaper

Description:

In this interview for Τα Νέα newspaper published on 23 July 1976, Yorgos Sicilianos spoke about his latest work, Antiphona for Brass, Timpani, and Strings, Op. 40, ahead of its premiere. This performance was scheduled to be conducted by Choo Hoey with the Athens State Orchestra on 26 July 1976 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, part of the Athens Festival. Sicilianos explained that he titled the work Antiphona to highlight its antiphonal character and polyphonic nature. He employed an unconventional placement of instruments on stage to enhance these qualities. The composition is based on the semitone interval and the Fibonacci sequence, although these elements do not dominate the piece. Sicilianos aimed to maintain creative freedom, using structure to serve the composition rather than constrain it, incorporating improvisations to add an element of surprise.

Sicilianos further elaborated on the structural elements of Antiphona, noting that it comprises three movements, each emphasising different groups of instruments. The first movement focuses on the brass instruments, with horns, trumpets, trombones, and tuba positioned around the conductor. The second movement highlights two groups of timpani placed at the extremes of the stage. In the final movement, the strings take prominence, occupying the central stage. Sicilianos concluded that his approach resulted in a form of neo-serialism that may influence his future creative work.