''Festival of Assi-Gonia'' Scherzo for Orchestra - Mikis Theodorakis

Athens State Orchestra conducted by Helias Voudouris.
I - Allegro non troppo - Adagio - Allegro - Tempo primo - Più mosso - Adagio - Allegro molto: 0:00
Theodorakis' ''Festival of Assi-Gonia'' was composed between 1947-50. It was premiered in Athens on 1950, performed by the Athens National Orchestra conducted by Philoktitis Oikonomidis. Written while the composer was intermittently studying at the Athens Conservatory and in the middle of the Greek Civil War, the piece was one of the first to explore the composer's Greek roots.
In 1947, Theodorakis was also arrested and deported for the first time to the island of Icaria. He was freed in 1948 thanks to the Sofoulis amnesty, but two months later he was arrested again and exiled to Icaria, then to Makronisos where he was tortured and twice buried alive. In Icaria and Makronissos he was exposed to Greece's traditional musical and folklore, through interactions with fellow prisoners and local people. Those melodies and rhythms went deep down, helping him to survive, just as the loving letters from Myrto Altinoglou, a medical student in Athens and a fervent left partisan, whom he would marry a few years later.
Assi-Gonia (Ασή Γωνιά) is a mountainous village and a former community in the eastern part of the Chania regional unit in Crete, Greece. It is situated east of the Lefka Ori mountain range, 20 km southwest of Rethymno. The festival probably refers to the feast of Saint George, which takes place on April 23. It is a big festivity dating back to hundreds of years. All the shepherds of the area bring their sheep in the service, where a priest gives his blessings, then the animals are milked and their milk is being passed on to the visitors. After the service, a big celebration takes place, where the attendants are given the opportunity to experience for themselves the true essence of the traditional Cretan hospitality.
The piece is an orchestral scherzo written in sonata form. It begins with a bright and lively main theme, exposed through a colourful orchestration. It is contrasted by a widely lyrical and cantabile trio, with a second theme on clarinet which passes to the rest of the wood. The scherzo is then developed combining these materials, culminating in a boisterous climax as the final coda.
Picture: Photograph of the Lefka Ori (A mountain range located in Western Crete, in the Chania prefecture).
Musical analysis written by myself.
To check the score: tinyurl.com/yq7qf3sx

[@steveegallo3384]

Cretan hosiptality, Lord be Praised! BRAVI TUTTI from Mexico City!

[@leestamm3187]

My first time hearing this evocative piece. Thanks very much, Sergio.

[@user-yn6on5rm7g]

Your channel is thought-provoking and inspiring! Thank you!