Thanasis Polykandriotis, a Greek composer and multi-instrumentalist master of the bouzouki, performed live with his orchestra of 47 bouzoukis at the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Composition History
Alain Lefèvre composed the piece "Balalaïka" overnight in a Moscow hotel after being forced to perform an all-French program, presenting it as a work by a fictional Russian composer.
Compositional Technique
Alain Lefèvre's compositional style prioritizes a simple theme, even if the piece itself becomes complex to play, with the melodic line being essential and constantly present.
Composer Biography
Alain Lefèvre began composing in the late 1970s while studying at the Conservatoire in Paris, using it as an outlet for difficult living conditions.
Instruments
The bouzouki, a type of lute with a refined sound, was long out of favor in Greece before gaining recognition, and its plucked notes complement the piano's hammered notes in the piece "Mati."
Composer's Artistic Vision
Alain Lefèvre considers himself a "story-teller," with all his pieces linked to stories, pictures, or feelings, rather than being overtly esoteric.
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