Music Of Andreas Rodinos (1912-1934)

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Andreas Rodinos was born in Rethymnon in 1912. His father, a baker by profession, came from Atsipopoulo of Rethymnon. His mother Chrisoula Mamagkaki came from the Franteskiana Metochia of Rethymnon as well. He completed his elementary and secondary education in Rethymnon. When Rodinos was 13 years old he apprenticed the lyre by Nikistratos and Piskopis.
At the age of 16 he formed his own group and started working with "amateur" lutist Stavros Psillos. He had a passion for the lyre and performed at many social events without taking any reward.
At the age of 18 he had already made a name for himself as one of the top lyrists on the island.
At the age of 21, while doing his military service, he was hospitalised for 6 months suffering with pleurisy. During a temporary improvement of his health, he was persuaded by two of his friends, Lefteris Gaganis and Yiannis Baxevanis, to make two records accompanied by the lutist Yiannis Bernidakis also known as (Baxevanis). They made two 78-track singles which included this piece titled as "Apokoroniotikos Syrtos" together with "Rethemniotikos Syrtos", "Kissamitikos Syrtos" and "Rethemniotika Pentozalia".
The above songs have remained a landmark in the history of Cretan music.
Following his discharge from hospital and on account of his poor health, Andreas Rodinos withdrew to the Plateau of Nippous for a few months.
On February 9, 1934, nine days after his return to Rethymnon, Andreas Rodinos passed away. He departed this world, however, taking with him his favourite case with the two lyres.
Andreas Rodinos was deeply loved by the people of Rethymnon. This is evident from the fact that they all closed down their shops to attend the funeral ceremony and procession and the musicians did not play for 40 days in honour of Andreas Rodinos.
Andreas Rodinos was a great performer, creator and master of folk music. In fact he created a school class to his name which Cretan artists of today follow with due respect to the master on the other side of the globe like us here in Sydney Australia some 90 years after his death. His death was a great loss for the future of Cretan folk music and what he would have contributed due to the young age of his death.
Rodinos may be gone...!!! His legend however shall live and continue to be heard as long as Crete stands...

"Apokoroniotikos Syrtos" - A. Rodinos / G. Bernidakis (Baxevanis) (1933) as revived and heard in this recording with the following instrumentation:
Cretan Lyra
Cretan Lute 'A - Solo
Cretan Lute 'B - Rhythm Tempo
Cretan Lute 'C - Chords
Mandolin 'A - Solo
Mandolin 'B - Chords
& Musical Arrangement/Recording/Videography:

Michael Platyrrahos
Cretan Music Group Sydney