You may have heard the music of Vamvakaris, Theodorakis, Constantinidis (Giannidis), Mitropoulos, Xenakis, Xenos, Papaioannou, Sicilianos, Sklakotas, Tsitsanis, and Hadjidakis, but it’s more likely that you haven’t realized they were the ones behind it.
The Ghika Gallery, in cooperation with the Institute of Greek Music Heritage (IEMK) invites us to rediscover these eleven renowned Greek composers intricately linked with the artistic and intellectual creation in Greece between the years of World War I and the Greek junta.
Manos Hadjidakis and Mkis Theodorakis in New York./ THe Ghika Gallery
Letter from Nikos Skalkotas to Yiannis Constantinidis, 17/8/1929. Donation by Lambros Liavas, Benaki Museum / Ghika Gallery
The IEMK innitiative, titled “I think it’s time we listened…” showcases original music videos presented to the public for the first time, along with archival material through a specially designed exhibition application. Excerpts of at least forty-three musical works are presented, alongside an hour of interviews with some of Greece’s most impactful musicians and composers who are also “tenants” of the gallery’s permanent exhibition.
In a dedicated section of the exhibition, visitors can explore a tribute to Stavros Xarchakos, a prominent Greek composer, whose significant contributions to Greek music span various genres including film scores, popular songs and orchestral compositions. Among Xarchakos’ archives, visitors may find unique digital material, created exclusively for the exhibition, in which he reminisces his artistic collaboration with some of the most significant figures of the so-called “Generation of the ’30s”.
The Ghika Gallery, formerly the residence and creative hub of the eponymous sculptor and painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, will host the exhibition until July 21. The public can visit on Thursday between 10am- 10pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am-6pm.
