Thanos Mikroutsikos
Thanos Mikroutsikos ( Greek Θάνος Μικρούτσικος , born April 13, 1947 in Patras ; † December 28, 2019 in Athens ) was one of the leading composers of Greek folk and classical music. He mixed a number of musical styles in his work, from folk music to electronic music. Mikroutsikos composed a large number of songs that have their roots in poems by Greek or foreign poets such as Euripides , Aristophanes , Konstantinos Kavafis , Giorgos Seferis , Jannis Ritsos , Odysseas Elytis and Nikos Kavvadias as well as Bertolt Brecht , Nazim Hikmet , Wolf Biermann and Maurice Maeterlinck .
Thanos Mikroutsikos has also been politically active since the 1960s. During the period of the military dictatorship (1967 to 1974) he was persecuted by the regime for his anti-dictatorial stance. When the junta fell, he continued his political work, especially in the early years of the restoration of democracy. After the parliamentary elections in October 1993, he became a member of the PASOK party , which formed the new government, and deputy minister of culture. From 1994 to 1996 he was Minister for Culture .
Works (selection)
- Musical act for Brecht for two male voices, two clarinets and a piano (text: Bertolt Brecht ), 1972–78
- Cantata for Makronisos for female and male voices, small orchestra and tape (text: Jannis Ritsos ), 1976–82
- Study for Wladimir Majakowski for voice and small orchestra (text: Wladimir Majakowski ), 1976–82
- Euripides IV for speaker, soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, bassoon, trumpet, horn and piano (text: Euripides ), 1979
- The Moonlight Sonata for voice and piano (text: Jannis Ritsos), 1979–81
- Preludes for Guitar, 1981
- The Old Man of Alexandria, song cycle for voice, mandolin and piano (text: Konstantinos Kavafis ), 1982
- Opera for one (flutist) for flute, 1983–84
- Duo for alto saxophone and electric bass, 1985
- Das Meer for string orchestra and trumpet, 1991
- The return of Helena, opera in one act in six acts based on a libretto by Christos Lambrakis (with poems by Jannis Ritsos) for nine voices, mixed choir, orchestra and a trio, 1992–93
- Return to the Future 1 for clarinet and marimba, 2003
- The sea smiles from over there for mezzo and string quartet (text: Federico García Lorca ), 2009
Web links
- Thanos Mikroutsikos at Discogs (English)
- Thanos Mikroutsikos passed away from Efimerida ton Syntacton
- Official website
personal data | |
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SURNAME | Mikroutsikos, Thanos |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Greek composer and politician |
DATE OF BIRTH | April 13, 1947 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Patras , Greece |
DATE OF DEATH | December 28, 2019 |
Place of death | Athens |