Alkis Baltas - Cypriot Suite for violin and piano

Alkis Baltas - Cypriot Suite for violin and piano

Sorin Alexandru Horlea - violin
Vicky Stylianou - piano
Live recording by HOOK Recording Art Studio, 22nd of June 2016, Casteliotissa, Nicosia

00:17 Adagio tranquillo
02:10 Allegro moderato
04:05 Andante dolente
05:14 Vivo
06:20 Andantino expressivo
08:42 Funebre
09:40 Finale - Allegro molto con fuoco

Influenced by the close relationship of his family with Cyprus (his grandfather, Lambros Economides, was born in the village Kallepeia in Paphos) and his frequent visits to the island when he was still very young, the composer wrote "Cypriot Suite" in 1969, during his studies at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki. His professor of composition, Cypriot conductor and composer Solon Michaelides (1905-1979), not only made positive comments on the work, but asked Alkis Baltas to orchestrate the Suite for large symphony orchestra. In the same year, 1969, S. Michaelides conducted the "Cypriot Suite" in concert with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (then "Symphony Orchestra of Northern Greece"). The "Cypriot Suite" had the chance to attract the attention of violinist and conductor Byron Kolassis (1921-1999), who performed the work many times both in Greece and in Cyprus. At the request of several musicians, the composer has made various arrangements of the Suite (string orchestra, piano trio, two pianos, wind quintet, etc.). The work is based on folk songs and dances of Cyprus, as recorded in the collection of Theodoros Kallinikos. The folk melodies are unchanged, without any further elaboration (except from the last movement which includes a "folk-like" melody written by the composer (in 6/8). In the harmonic and contrapuntal accompaniment of the piano, the composer tried not to betray the simplicity of folk style.

[elenadedlovskaya]

Alkis Baltis is our favorite conductor and this his Cypriot Suite is very beautiful and touching! Thanks a lot, Maestro!