The Neoclassical Skalkottas

Featuring

Stefanos Tsialis
Ioannis Karampetsos
Athens State Orchestra
Nikos Skalkottas

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Instruments

In the chamber orchestra version of the Ancient Greek March, Skalkottas used instruments like the flute and oboe (aulos), trumpet (salpinx), harp (lyre), and cymbals (cymbala) to evoke Greek antiquity.

Composition History

The Four Images originated from a dance suite for solo piano, commissioned by pianist Polyxene Mathéy, and were later reworked for symphony orchestra.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Skalkottas is considered Greece's leading neoclassical composer, despite a common perception of him as solely a 'modernist' or 'national' composer.

Composer's Artistic Vision

In his later works, Skalkottas consciously adopted a 'highly restrained' style, abstractly applying various idioms like tonal, atonal, expressionism, and folk music to reach a wider audience.

Compositional Technique

Skalkottas often recycled musical ideas, even using the beginning of an atonal theme from an 18-year-earlier concerto in the Finale of his Classical Symphony.

Composer Biography

Nikos Skalkottas, the composer, worked as a violinist for the Athens State Orchestra from its formation until his sudden death.

Composition History

The Ancient Greek March was commissioned by the Lyceum Club of Greek Women, a historic educational and charitable organization, to be played during processions representing ancient Greek eras.