Gaia Duo
Marilena Chrysohoidi & Giorgos Tabakis
The new project Gaia Duo, brings together Giorgos Tabakis, renowned guitarist and expert in the ancient Greek lyre, and soprano and santurist Marilena Chrysochoidi.
This collaboration marks a reunion after nine years since their first joint project “Lifeline/Hymn to Gaia”.
Gaia Duo explores ancient Greek music material from the remarkable work of composer and researcher Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis, the “guru” of the ancient Greek lyre.
The rehearsal for this project was filmed and recorded at the On Off Studio in September, with the expertise of Giotis Paraskevaidis behind the camera.
Photo: Anna Kypreou.
A special thanks to Giorgos Nikas for providing the exceptional “high-performance” instrument (Palmos Ancient Instruments).
The lyre, with mythological origins in antiquity regarding its creation, was, as is well known, the most important instrument of ancient Greek music. Its modern evolution in various regions of Greece as well as the relevant research interest that has developed demonstrate its multiple potential even today, both for music and for our history and culture.
The Gaia duo, with soprano Marilena Chrysochoidis and Giorgos Tabakis on the
7-string ancient Greek lyre (made by the instrument maker Giorgos Nikas based on all the existing recorded information from antiquity), approaches the unparalleled beauty of ancient Greek music through a special concert.
Starting from the extensive work of the composer and scholar Nikos Xanthoulis and drawing inspiration from studies, historical inscriptions, illustrations and texts, the duo presents a program of ancient Greek musical works, which have been discovered and studied, in combination with contemporary pieces.
These compositions expand the repertoire and at the same time highlight the unique technique of the ancient Greek lyra, both on a solo level and in the duo’s collaboration.
The presentation of the musical works is also accompanied by interesting information, unknown to the general public, and audiovisual material, which enriches knowledge about ancient Greek music and brings to the fore the cultural context in which it developed. At the same time, the complexity but also the charm of research efforts and musical performances of ancient music in modern times becomes apparent.
In addition, there is the possibility of holding a seminar on the ancient Greek lyra, its technique and the information known so far about its history and playing methods. The seminar is aimed at those who wish to delve deeper into this particular musical instrument, to understand its evolution and to explore ways of utilizing it relevant to their own interests in contemporary cultural events. No musical background is required for participants in the seminar.
The Gaia duo has given concerts at festivals and cultural venues in Greece and abroad, and has been presented by the Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy USA to the American public.
