Composer’sNote

   The woodwind quintet Epirote Chronicle was commissioned by the Greek Composers’Union and written between October 2004 and 2 March 2005.  It is based upon traditional material from Epirus (polyphonic songs, perfect consonances, characteristic rhythms, oriental influences etc.) combined with elements of contemporary Western music, thus expressing yet another aspect of our vigorous National School. In the well-known folk song ‘Vassiliki commands vizier Ali Pasha’, the version found in the N. Lavdas collection serves as a nucleus. The remaining ‘fundamental material’ comes from the published archives of the Athens Academy and from authentic personal transcriptions. It is worth noting that the opening clarinet solo part in the beginning of the first movement is repeated harmonized in the fourth movement as a prelude (Chorale) in the Zagora Wedding. This work is dedicated to Epirote Giorgos Potamianos, in return for his precious and moving friendship.

T. KALOGEROPOULOS
Translated by Helena Grigorea

FIRST PERFORMANCE:
April 18, 2005
Athens – Hellenic American Union Theater

Members of the Greek Ensemble of Contemporary Music
Thodoris Mavrommatis, flute
Yannis Tselikas, oboe
Yannis Samprovalakis, clarinet
Kostas Siskos, horn
Odysseas Bassios, bassoon