MAGIC NIGHT
TSSO NEW YEAR'S CONCERT

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, and the TSSO could not welcome the new year in any other way than with works by this towering figure of Greek music. Joining the orchestra will be Maria Farantouri, the foremost interpreter of his works, along with conductor Myron Michailidis, who served as the TSSO’s Artistic Director for many years.
Carnaval is a ballet suite for orchestra that Theodorakis began composing while exiled on the island of Ikaria. According to his own words, it was the piece that first introduced him to Greece’s folk music tradition.
The song cycle Odessa is a musical journey through Theodorakis’ life, since he composed its first song at the age of 12 and its last at 81. Through this song cycle, Mikis Theodorakis reflects on love, solitude, and the struggles of modern man in search of his own Ithaca—like a contemporary Odysseus. These songs, along with many other beloved works of the great composer, have been transcribed for orchestra by Antonis Sousamoglou and Lazaros Tsavdaridis for this special New Year’s tribute celebrating the centenary of his birth.          

Mikis Theodorakis
(1925-2021)
Carnaval              Ballet suite for orchestra
7 songs from the song cycle Odessa
selection from renowned songs by Mikis Theodorakis
(transcription for symphony orchestra: Antonis Sousamoglou, Lazaros Tsavdaridis)