EASTER CONCERT: THEODORAKIS' ORATORIO "AXION ESTI"

We continue the holiday tradition of marking the occasion with a concert.  We celebrate this Easter with part of a concert that has become the standard of Mikis Theodorakis' great, secular oratorio, "Axion Esti".  In the work, the maestro set to music the surrealistic poem "Axion Esti" by Odysseus Elytis (1911-1996) that was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1979. The part of the concert recorded here and directed by Theodorakis himself in 2002 at the landmark Roman 'Odeon of Herod Atticus' (Wiki) at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, is featuring singer Yannis Kotsiras in the earlier days of his career.

July 2, 2013 Yannis Kotsiras: Playlist "Axion Esti".

Playlist

1. Ανοίγω το στόμα μου (Anoigo to stoma mou - I open my mouth)

2. Ένα το χελιδόνι (Ena to chelidoni - A  solitary swallow)

3. Με το λύχνο του άστρου (Me to lychno tou astrou - By the light of the stars)

4. Της αγάπης αίματα (Tis agapis aimata - The blood of love)

5. Της δικαιοσύνης ήλιε νοητέ (Tis dikaiosinis ilie noite - Sun of justice)

Our interpretations of the lyrics in English are available in the links above. In order to fully appreciate the work, we recommend taking in these texts in some detail in order to fully appreciate the depth and cosmic character of the compositions.

Parts of our interpretation of the lyrics have been referenced from the authorized translation in print of the poem "The Axion Esti" by Edmond Keeley and George Savidis (Anvil Press Poetry Ltd, 2007. ISBN 978 0 85646 356 3).

Reproducing the concert in its entirety has been posing a bit of a challenge. Just from listening to the five songs, however great, one does not get the full sense of the work.

Recordings available are a CD recording, again solely of the songs, to which were added compositions by Theodorakis set to stunning poems by Angelos Sikelianos (1884 -1951) in a compilation of songs by various artists under the title "Pnevmatiko Emvatirio" (Spiritual March) (Spotify).

 

Here is a link to the playlist curated by Yannis Kotsiras of his contributions to "Pnevmatiko Emvatirio". Translations: Γιγάντιες σκέψεις (Grand thoughts - Movement II). Σιμώνει ο νέος λόγος (The new logos is emerging - Movement VII).

The only full version of "Axion Esti" that comes close to the concert at the Odeon, is a performance of the State Orchestra of Cyprus. It lacks the inspiration, soul and personal chemistry that the maestro was able to inject into his work.

But it features performances by soloists Yannis Kotsiras and baritone George Matthaiakakis, with actor Kostas Kastanas in the role of narrator. The concert was directed by the British conductor, Roland Melia. 

"Το Άξιον Εστί" στην Κύπρο με σολίστ τον Γιάννη Κότσιρα (2002). ("Axion Esti" in Cyprus in 2002 at the Amphitheater of the Nicosia School for the Blind).

00:18 Η Γενεσις (I ghenesis - Creation)

06:15 Τα Παθη: Ιδου εχω λοιπον (The Passion: Idou egho lipon - Here I am)

12:25 Ένα το χελιδόνι (Ena to xelidoni - A  solitary swallow)

15:50 Το θεμελιο μου στα βουνα (To themelia mou sta vouna - My foundation in the mountains)

21:15 Με το λύχνο του άστρου (Me to lyxno tou astrou - By the light of the stars)

24:09 Η μεγαλη εξοδος (I megali exodos - The grand exodus)
26:35 Της δικαιοσύνης ήλιε νοητέ (Tis dikaiosinis ilie noite - Sun of Justice)
31:40 Ναοι τσο σχημα τ' ουρανου (Naee sto schima t' ouranou - Temples shaped like heaven)
34:49 Της αγάπης αίματα (Tis agapis aimata - The Blood of Love)
38:50 Ναοι τσο σχημα τ' ουρανου (Naee sto schima t' ouranou - Temples shaped like heaven)
41:47 Προφητιον (Profetion - Prophesy)
45:29 Ανοίγω το στόμα μου - (Anigo to stoma mou - I open my mouth)
48:55 Σε χωρα μακρινη (Se chora makrini - In a land far away)
51:30 Το αξιον εστι (To Axion Esti)

The surrealistic poem "Axion Esti" by Odysseus Elytis (1911-1996) itself was first published in 1959. It is a typical example of a Greek cosmic story, meaning there is no barrier between the physical and the spiritual, giving the story intrinsic meaning of cosmic significance. 

The poem was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1979. It tells the story of Greece from Creation, the Passion and the Resurrection of the Christ, laced with narrative from the poet's own memories participating in the campaign against the Italian fascists in Albania and in Greece, during the resistance against the Nazi occupation. 

The academy citation singled out the poem as "one of the 20th century's literature's most concentrated and richly faceted poems. In his evocation of eternal Greece (...) and his conclusion of human life, Elytis is (...) a deeply personal lyric poet who speaks for humanity at large."

The key to reading surrealistic Greek poetry is to realize it should be interpreted as the Greeks understand icons, the myths, parts of Scripture and epic poetry: as deeper truths that transcend temporal and historical facts. It is closer to the literal meaning than allegory, metaphor or analogy, but it is not quite that either. Truth includes fact, but goes further to include the deeper meaning of reality itself. 

Christos Anesti! 

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