Role

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Composer  

Period

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Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

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Chamber

 

Apostolos Paraskevas was a Greek composer and musicologist who was born on January 1, 1906, in the city of Athens. He was the son of a wealthy family, and his father was a prominent lawyer. Paraskevas showed an early interest in music and began studying the piano at a young age. He later studied composition with the renowned Greek composer Manolis Kalomiris. In 1928, Paraskevas traveled to Paris to study musicology at the Sorbonne. While in Paris, he attended concerts and met many of the leading composers of the time, including Igor Stravinsky and Maurice Ravel. He also studied composition with Nadia Boulanger, who was one of the most influential music teachers of the 20th century. After completing his studies in Paris, Paraskevas returned to Greece and began a career as a composer and musicologist. He taught music theory and composition at the Athens Conservatory and later became a professor of musicology at the University of Athens. Paraskevas was a prolific composer who wrote music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, and vocal music. His music was influenced by the folk music of Greece and other Mediterranean countries, as well as by the music of the French Impressionists. One of Paraskevas's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was composed in 1938. The symphony is in three movements and is scored for a large orchestra. The first movement is marked by a driving rhythm and a sense of urgency, while the second movement is more lyrical and introspective. The final movement is a lively dance that brings the symphony to a rousing conclusion. Another notable work by Paraskevas is his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1946. The quartet is in four movements and is scored for two violins, viola, and cello. The first movement is marked by a haunting melody that is passed between the instruments, while the second movement is a lively dance. The third movement is a slow and introspective adagio, while the final movement is a lively and energetic finale. In addition to his work as a composer, Paraskevas was also a respected musicologist. He wrote extensively on the music of Greece and other Mediterranean countries, and his research helped to bring attention to the rich musical traditions of these regions. Paraskevas died on December 22, 1949, at the age of 43. Despite his relatively short career, he left behind a significant body of work that continues to be performed and studied today. His music is characterized by its lyricism, its use of folk melodies, and its incorporation of elements from the French Impressionist tradition.

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