Thanos Mikroutsikos

Thanos Mikroutsikos (Greek Θάνος Μικρούτσικος, born April 13, 1947 in Patras ) is one of the leading composers of the Greek folk and classical music. He mixed a variety of music styles in his work, from folk music to electronic music. Mikroutsikos composed a variety of songs that have their roots in poems of Greek and foreign poets, such as Euripides, Aristophanes, Constantine Cavafy, Giorgos Seferis, Yiannis Ritsos, Odysseas Elytis and Nikos Kavvadias and Bertolt Brecht, Nazim Hikmet, Wolf Biermann and Maurice Maeterlinck.

Thanos Mikroutsikos was also politically active since the 1960s. During the period of military dictatorship ( 1967-1974 ), he was persecuted by the regime because of its anti- dictatorial attitude. When the junta fell, he continued his political work, especially in the first years of the restoration of democracy, continues. After the parliamentary elections in October 1993, he was deputy of PASOK party, which formed the new government, and Deputy Minister of Culture. From 1994 to 1996 he was Minister of Culture.

Works (selection)

"Musical act for Brecht " for two male voices, two clarinets and piano ( text: Bertolt Brecht), 1972-78

" Cantata for Makronisos " for women 's and men's voices, small orchestra and tape ( Text: Jannis Ritsos ), 1976-82

Study for Vladimir Mayakovsky for voice and small orchestra ( text: Vladimir Mayakovsky ), 1976-82

" Euripides IV" for narrator, soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, bassoon, trumpet, horn and piano ( text: Euripides ), 1979

" The Moonlight Sonata " for voice and piano ( text: Jannis Ritsos ), 1979-81

" Preludes " for guitar, 1981

" The old man of Alexandria ", song cycle for voice, mandolin and piano ( text: Constantine Cavafy ), 1982

"Opera for a ( flautist ) " for Flute, 1983-84

"Duo for alto saxophone and electric bass ", 1985

"The Sea " for String Orchestra and Trumpet, 1991

" The return of Helena ", opera in one act in six elevators to a libretto by Christos Lambrakis ( with poems by Yannis Ritsos ) for nine voices, mixed chorus, orchestra, and a trio, 1992-93

" Return to the future 1 " for clarinet and marimba, 2003

" The sea of smiles over there " for mezzo and string quartet ( text: Federico Garcia Lorca ), 2009