Music Connects the Onassis Stegi and the Panteion University, Vol. 8
Three concerts that pay tribute to the work of Maurice Ohana
Dates
Tickets
Venue
Time & Date
Information
Entrance tickets
Free admission with entrance tickets at the event area, on a first come first served basis.
Introduction
Dedicated to composer Maurice Ohana (1913-1992), this year’s “Music Bridge” traces the personal and artistic path of a music creator – unknown to many in Greece – though three concerts. Each concert and all together compose an intricate musical geography under the title “Geographies, friendships, references.”
This partnership between Onassis Stegi and Panteion University bridges Syngrou Avenue each year through music, with the two institutions defying the physical distance between them to connect through their mutual interest in culture, with a focus on contemporary music. Composers and performers – in the main at the start of their careers – present works commissioned by Onassis Stegi, works never before performed in Greece, and repertory works, all selected on the basis of a different theme each year.
This year’s edition serves as a tribute to a double anniversary – 110 years since the birth, and 30 since the death of Maurice Ohana (1913-1992), a composer whose work is deeply rooted in the music traditions of the Mediterranean, Arab-Andalusian music, flamenco, the poetry of Lorca, Greek mythology, jazz, and African percussion all feed into and inspire his compositions, as does the music of Claude Debussy, Manuel de Falla and Béla Bartók. Works for solo piano and ensemble chamber music will feature across three concerts, set alongside music drawn from his personal universe.
Photo: Dominique Souse
Maurice Ohana
The Legacy of Debussy
The overarching theme of this concert is the composition of piano works that bespeak traces of the “legacy” of Debussy’s compositional style. Panayiotis Demopoulos, in his joint capacity as a pianist and composer, performs his new work – a commission by Onassis Stegi –, transporting us to the mythical places of Tangiers and Morocco, Ohana’s birth country. Ohana with his very own “24 Preludes,” as well as his friend Betsy Jolas with “Pièce pour…” (omitting the person behind the dedication), treat the instrument’s reverberation and the countless timbres springing from Debussy’s pianistic palette in their own personal manner.
Program:
Panayiotis Demopoulos (b. 1977): “Tingis”* (2023), commissioned by Onassis Stegi
Betsy Jolas (b. 1926): “Pièce pour”** (1997)
Maurice Ohana: “24 Preludes” (selection)** (1972-1973)
Panayiotis Demopoulos: piano
Spain, Africa
The first musical influences of Casablanca-born and of Spanish origin composer is Arab-Andalusian music, classical flamenco, and cante jondo. During the Second World War, Ohana is stationed in British colonies in Africa and is deeply impressed by the rhythmic wealth of the traditional music he hears there. The second concert’s program, tracing the initial roots of his inspiration, combines traditional songs from Spain and Nigeria with works of two of his students and friends: French Édith Lejet, whom she met through their mutual interest for Lorca, and Spanish composer of Basque origin, Félix Ibarrondo. Awarded composer Ismini Beck will offer her own contribution to this musical universe though a work for mezzo-soprano and piano commissioned by Onassis Stegi.
Program:
Federico García Lorca (1898-1936)
Canciones Españolas Antiguas
“Las morillas de Jaén”
“El café de chinitas”
“Nana de Sevilla”
Maurice Ohana
Chansons Populaires Espagnoles
“Cuando paso por el Puente”
“Nana” (1947)
“Tango el mariquita” (1947)
“Neige sur les orangers”
Édith Lejet (b. 1941): “Fleurs d’Opale”** (1997)
Félix Ibarrondo (b. 1943): “Preludio”** (2006)
Akin Euba (1935-2020): “Six Yoruba Folk Songs”**
Ismini Beck (b. 1997): "where are you going"* (2023), commissioned by Onassis Stegi. The work’s text is based on Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Duino Elegies,” translated in Greek by Maria Boukoura, Athens: Eridanus Publications, 2013, p. 136
Chrysanthi Spitadi: mezzo soprano
Pavlos Kordis: piano
Sailing to America
The works of the concert invite us on a transatlantic journey with oboe and piano as the main vehicles. Ohana adored the ocean and composed while listening to its sounds from his home on the coast of Brittany. Edith Canat de Chizy, student and researcher of Ohana’s work, brings the sound of lapping waves close to our ears while “sailing” with a piano. André Jolivet, a friend and musical co-traveler of Ohana, transports us to Venezuela through the sounds of a local boatman’s song. Remaining in Latin America, Thierry Pécou follows in Ohana’s footsteps and channels the rhythmic core of Afro-Cuban music. The journey is complemented by the works of two talented rising composers, Antonis Rouvelas and Mihali Paleologou, in their Greek and world premieres.
Program:
Antonis Rouvelas (b. 1987): “Viomata I (short version),” for solo oboe** (2015)
André Jolivet (1905-1974): “Chant pour les piroguiers de l'Orénoque,” for oboe and piano** (1953)
Thierry Pécou (b. 1965): “Perroquets d'Azur,” for solo oboe** (1993)
Maurice Ohana: “Neumes,” for oboe and piano** (1965)
Edith Canat de Chizy (b. 1950): “Sailing,” for solo piano** (2020)
Mihali Paleologou (b. 1981): “Introspections,” for solo oboe* (2023)
Christos Tsogias-Razakov: oboe
Katerina Konstantourou: piano
Presentation of the program “Music Connects the Onassis Stegi and the Panteion University vol. 8”
The program “Music Connects the Onassis Stegi and the Panteion University vol. 8” was presented on Saturday, March 18 at the “Stefanos Dragoumis” auditorium of the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki. On the same day, the works of the concert “Sailing to America” were presented, featuring Christos Tsogias-Razakov on the oboe and Katerina Konstantourou on the piano. The whole program was presented by Lorenda Ramou and Foteini Salmouka.The event is organized in collaboration with the Contemporary Music Lab of the School of Music Studies (AUTH).
* World premiere
** Greek premiere
