In Paris, between 1954 and 1955, Mikis Theodorakis composed his Suite no. I for piano and orchestra AST 61, his “Antaeus Suite”.
As he explains: “Once more, I had to touch the soil of Crete”.
The score combines dodecaphonic writing with the basic elements of Cretan music, but above all it reflects the painful memories of the years of horror endured by Theodorakis from 1946 to 1951.
From the first entry of the strings in the opening movement (Allegro – Poco meno) Theodorakis creates a high degree of expressive intensity, accentuated by the rhythmic tension. A second theme is intoned by the tympani, the richly-scored percussion and the strings; the woodwind bring it to an almost ironic conclusion.
The piano, treated as a percussion instrument, introduces the following movement (Allegro – Andante con moto – Andante) based on a rhythmic figure in 11/8 time. This is developed with implacable precision; the melodic element is reduced to a few ostinato figures. A sudden change occurs in the Andante con moto, in which the woodwind and strings stress the melodic element while the piano makes virtuoso variations on the different themes, at the same time building up the rhythmic intensity.
With its concentration and radical polyrhythmic development, the Andante sostenuto that follows forms the core of the work and its expressive climax.
The fourth movement (Allegro – Poco sostenuto – Poco meno – Piu animato – Piu mosso – Poco meno – Tempo primo, ma poco sostenuto) is full of variety, includes six groups of percussion and develops a dramatic intensity founded on archetypal Cretan rhythms.
The work is finally resolved in the piano melody of the Calmo: the “end of a tragedy” (Theodorakis): the tragedy of Makronissos, the rock wrapped round with barbed wire …
“and further off the waves, the world in the distance, the inhuman shattering it, the cries of men like the cries of beasts being led to the slaughterhouse to be killed. While all hope ceases and the prisoner founders in the chaos of despair: he is alone with the torturer, alone with the wind, alone with the night, alone with thirst, pain; absolute nothingness.” (id.)
The Suite no. I was first performed on 24 February 1957 by Jean Vigué and the Hellenic State Orchestra (KOA), under the baton of Andreas Paridis. In the summer of 1957 a selection board chaired by Dmitri Shostakovich awarded the work the gold medal in the World Youth Festival’s composition competition in Moscow.
© Guy Wagner, 2006-2007. English translation: © Ariel Wagner-Parker
see also: Geroge Giannaris
SUITE N°.1 FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA, AST.61
Composition: 1949/50 (Crete) - 1955 (Paris)
Mouvements:
1. Allegro - Poco meno
2. Allegro - Andante con moto - Andante
3. Andante sostenuto
4. Allegro - Poco sostenuto - Poco meno - Piu animato - Piu mosso - Poco meno - Tempo primo, ma poco sostenuto
5. Calme
Creation: 24.2.1957 à Athènes.
Jean Vigo, piano, KOA, Andreas Paridis
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