Search - Mikis Theodorakis, International Frankfurt Chamber Orchestra, Maria Farantouri :: Theodorakis: Symphonietta; Etat de Siège

Hmmmmmm........

Pieter U. Hendriks | Voorburg Netherlands | 11/26/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Both works on this cd have been written in times of oppression. Symphonietta (1947) during the greek civil war, Etat de Siege(1968) during the colonels regime. Symphonietta is a classical composition where the young Theodorakis merges western classical mucic styles with greek folkmusic. One is reminded of the music of Martinu though this is a highly original work that would later reappear in the Saduazeer Passion. On this live cd it receives an adequate performance. Etat de Siege (State of Siege) was partly written in the Averoff jail where Theodorakis was incarcerated during the first stages of the colonels regime. The text was written by a young girl also in prison. Theodorakis who since 1959 had concentrated solely on writing "popular songs" here extended his new style of writing flow songs where the musical material is extended over the limits of time and form of the typical song. It contains recitative as well as intensly lyrical episodes and shows of Theodorakis'ability to set a highly dramatical text to striking and efective music to its best. In 1970 the music was smuggled out of Greece and a recording was made in London with Maria Farantouri and Antonis Kaloyannis in an arrangement of Yiannis Markopoulos. This record that captures the spirit of the piece to perfection longtime remained the only available version of the entire compostition. Now it appears in a new arrangement for chamber orchestra. I have very mixed feelings about the result. Certainly there are beautiful moments but often the instrumentation and countermelodies distract from the vocallines. The piece has lost its directness that made it so moving and now sometimes sounds like a filmscore for a bad movie. things might have been better if the performance had been impeccable but the overriding feeling seems to be that there should have been a lot more time to rehearse. Esspecialy with a conductor like Theodorakis who gives directions more through his entire pressence than through his technique. The orchestral playing is marred by countless "hickups" and you can frequently hear the singers and pianist who are used to Theodorakis respond in a different timeframe than the orchestra. Still this is a moving piece and Maria Farantouri's singing (where she is not hindered by the orchestra) is as wonderful as ever. Kostas Thomaidis'part comes of somewhat bland though. Having said all that I still advise people to buy this cd so they can get to know these two compostitions. But try and look for the original version of Etat de Siege as well."