The sea has served as a major inspiration for many Greek artists, capturing both a deep appreciation for it while also using it as a symbol of our travels abroad to new homelands, and this catalogue of music is set to be performed in an upcoming concert in Sydney.
The event titled ‘Songs of the Sea’ (Τραγούδια της Θάλασσας) is part of this year’s Greek Festival of Sydney and will take place on Sunday 12 May, at 7pm at Bankstown Sports Club.
The concert is the brainchild of bouzouki player Thanasis Pylarinos who, along with his 11-member band, will showcase a list of songs as they pay tribute to Greek composers like Vassilis Tsitsanis, and singers like Yiannis Parios, Michalis Violaris and Rena Koumioti.
It will feature vocals from Eleni Doukas and Ioannis Keligiannis, with Pylarinos joined by Kosta Benetatos on bouzoukia.
Pylarinos conceived of a two-part show that takes you on a journey of the history of Greece, utilising music that has been created with the universal element of the sea.
“Our first set has to do with the songs of the ocean, that remind us of our motherland Greece and the memories it leaves behind for us,” Pylarinos told Neos Kosmos.
“Our second set has to do with the great migration from the motherland Greece to Australia which is relevant in our current generation and past generations,” he said while adding that “the songs chosen have different styles, from Elafro-laika through to Rebetika”
The bouzouki player expressed that newer generations of Greek Australians are still aware of the stories of our ancestors leaving behind family and friends in search of a better life overseas, which obviously would have been quite difficult on them.
He explained, however, his belief that not many are aware of just how much music was created to articulate this struggle.
“An enormous amount of songs were written about this heartache and I feel that now is the time to present this to our Sydney audience and hopefully in future to our Greek Australian audience in other states,” Pylarinos said.
He elaborated how this music, which comprises of the second set of the concert, contrasts with the songs of the first that are about love and happiness.
“You could say that this show contradicts itself with two separate sets but at the end of the day, the sea is what joins us all together in the good and the bad.”
Pylarinos described the concert as a “history lesson”, reflecting on where our music came from and what it has become.
“Music was once written with passion and meaning, songs of today have lost their way but that is a controversial topic for another time.”
He expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunity to present this concert, stating that:
“If by what I am doing brings the music of the past closer to our next generation, then I feel like I am doing something right.”
