THANASIS POLYKANDRIOTIS AND HIS ENSEMBLE, “OI EPOMENOI”, HONOR GREAT FOLK MUSIC COMPOSERS AND MICHAEL CACOYANNIS

HANASIS POLYKANDRIOTIS AND HIS ENSEMBLE, “OI EPOMENOI”, HONOR GREAT FOLK MUSIC COMPOSERS AND MICHAEL CACOYANNIS

We were all moved, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympiad, in Athens, when they accomplished to attract global admiration. Now, the bouzouki ensemble entitled OI EPOMENOI (THE NEXT), inspired by Thanasis Polykandriotis, honors the great Greek-folk music composers, as well as Michael Cacoyannis, on stage.

A unique concert, on Wednesday, December 22nd, invites us to recall memories of the great artists of Greek folk music, singing again, Vamvakaris, Tsitsanis, Mpayanteras, Mitsakis, Kaldaras and others, adapted uniquely by Manos Hadjidakis. In parallel the musical ensemble OI EPOMENOI honor Michael Cacoyannis, as a composer, presenting four old songs as well as two new, set to music by Thanasis Polykandriotis, while the composer himself will co-perform for a surprise song.

During the first part of the concert, the whole work of “Hard April of 1945” by Manos Hadjidakis. It is an artwork including 11 songs by Vamvakaris, Tsitsanis, Mpayanteras, Mitsakis, Kaldaras and others, adapted uniquely by Manos Hadjidakis and having as bouzouki soloist Thanasis Polykandriotis, an album that firstly released in 1972.

During the second part of the concert the ensemble OI EPOMENOI honor the lyrist Michael Cacoyannis presenting four old ones as well as two new, set to music by Thanasis Polykandriotis, songs, in Michael Cacoyannis lyrics.

The bouzouki ensemble is accompanied on stage by a guitar, a classical piano and percussion instrument.

In the singing part, apart from the ensemble members themselves, the young singer Christina Michalaki participates as well.

Thanasis Polykandriotis conducts as well as co-performs for a surprise song.

The Artistic Music Society Oi Epomenoi was founded in 1993 due to Thanasis Polykandriotis will to transmit his own love for traditional folk instruments to young people and through them finally gather all those, who really love folk music tradition. Today, the ensemble counts 280 active members, of 16 to 35 years old age, from all over Greece. This group was chosen to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, appealing global admiration.