Mikis Theodorakis, who was born in 1925, is perhaps the most important Greek composer of the 20th and 21st centuries. Best known internationally for his scores for the Hollywood films, ‘Zorba The Greek’ (1964) and ‘Serpico’ (1973), Theodorakis is also a respected composer of classical music. He has composed numerous symphonies, cantatas, oratorios and operas as well as music for ballets and the stage.

The two rhapsodies on this CD are based on some of Theodorakis’s earlier works that have a similar musical structure. The Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra was premiered in Munich in October 1998. The nine movements bear the names of the nine muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne and the movements of the Rhapsody are named after their more widely known Latin names. The Rhapsody for Guitar and Orchestra derives from seven songs that Theodorakis wrote in 1967 based on texts from Federico García Lorca’s Romencero gitano. They were arranged by the composer for guitar and symphony orchestra and also premiered in Munich in 1998. Theodorakis wanted to offer the guitarist an instrumental work well suited to the instrument and with the guitar dominating from start to finish. He assigned the melodic material primarily to the orchestra.

Tracks:

Rhapsody For Cello And Orchestra
1. Euterpe
2. Erato
3. Melpomène
4. Calliope
5. Clio
6. Uranie
7. Terpsichore
8. Polymnie
9. Thalie

Rhapsody For Guitar And Orchestra
10. Allegro con brio
11. Andantino – Allegretto
12. Andante
13. Andante