Composer

:

Nikos Skalkottas

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Dance

Compose Date

:

1931 - 1933

Average_duration

:

105:33

Movement_count

:

36

Movement ....

Greek Dances (36) for orchestra, Books 1-3, Op. 11 is a collection of 36 dances composed by Nikos Skalkottas, a Greek composer of the 20th century. The work was composed between 1931 and 1936 and premiered in Athens in 1940. The collection is divided into three books, each containing 12 dances. The dances are based on traditional Greek folk music and are arranged for a full orchestra. The first book contains dances from the Aegean islands, the second book contains dances from the Peloponnese and the third book contains dances from Macedonia and Thrace. The dances are characterized by their lively rhythms, colorful orchestration, and use of traditional Greek instruments such as the bouzouki and the santouri. Skalkottas also incorporates elements of modernist composition techniques, such as atonality and polytonality, into the dances. The first book opens with the dance "Kalamatianos," a fast-paced dance in 7/8 time signature. Other notable dances in the first book include "Ikariotikos," a dance from the island of Ikaria in 9/8 time signature, and "Smyrneiko Minore," a dance in the minor mode from the city of Smyrna. The second book features dances such as "Tsakonikos," a dance from the region of Tsakonia in 5/8 time signature, and "Kleftikos," a dance associated with the Greek resistance movement in 7/8 time signature. The third book includes dances such as "Chasaposervikos," a dance in 9/8 time signature from the region of Serres, and "Karsilamas," a dance in 9/8 time signature from the region of Thrace. Overall, Greek Dances (36) for orchestra, Books 1-3, Op. 11 is a vibrant and colorful collection of traditional Greek dances arranged for a modern orchestra. Skalkottas' use of modernist composition techniques adds a unique and innovative twist to these timeless folk melodies.

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