The Classical Mikis Theodorakis: Works for Piano Solo

Alternative Stage founding donor

Distinguished pianist Apostolos Palios presents a singular piano recital, performing classical works by Mikis Theodorakis for piano solo.

Despite the great popularity and exceptionally wide dissemination of his work, it is lesser known that before the release of his iconic album Epitaphios in 1960 marked his turn to the characteristic hybrid “art-folk” song genre –which he would tirelessly serve for about 20 years from then on– Mikis Theodorakis had, in his own words, “set out to become a European composer”, cultivating, with equal devotion, a sophisticated musical style to which he would turn again, with refreshed momentum, from 1980 onwards.

The programme of Apostolos Palios’ concert (which is part of the GNO’s three-year tribute cycle to Mikis Theodorakis’ oeuvre) includes four of the most important piano works of this great composer, all of them bright examples of a more hidden aspect of his creativity that unfolded before and after his popular “folk” 20 year-period. The works to be played are the following: Preludes (1947), Little Suite for Piano (1954), Sonatina for Piano (1955, dedicated to Manos Hadjidakis) and Melos (1998).