Greek Music
Greek Singer Vassilis Papakonstantinou
Apr
Attending a Greek Concert, is always a treat. This time, I am talking about a concert in Athens, April 2024 with known singer V. Papakonstantinou.
Who is Vassilis Papakonstantinou – Βασίλης Παπακωνσταντίνου ?
He was born in 1950, and is a famous Greek singer. His mostly known for his work in Greek rock and entechna music.
Most of his songs have gained considerable popularity, mainly in Greece and Cyprus.
Through his huge discography, Vassilis has performed songs that have marked, moved, and united three generations.
About the concert
The concert took place in Athens, (March/April 2024), with title «Οι μπαλάντες του Βασίλη»
The Theater Vembo was the venue, located close to the metro station “Metaxourgeio”, on the Red Metro Line.
It was an emotional concert that took us to historic, timeless favorite songs, stories and bands that made history.
Take a look at the video below, to have an impression of the concert
In the video, you will short parts of the following songs
Το Ερωτικό (Με μια πιρόγα) ;
Lyrics by Alkis Alkaios
Music by Thanos Mikroutsikos – composed in 1982
Μαλαματένια Λόγια –
Στίχοι: Μάνος Ελευθερίου
Μουσική: Γιάννης Μαρκόπουλος
Vassilis sang songs we all love, move us and unite Greeks.
Three generations in the theatre became one – young and old – under the magical voice of Vassilis.
A journey through time guided by the lyrical, dynamic, deeply emotional voice of Vassilis.
Songs composed by the greatest composers, lyricists written by the greatest poets in Greece:
Miki Theodorakis,
Manos Loizos,
Thanos Mikroutsikos,
Tasos Livaditis,
Nikos Kavvadias,
Nikolas Asimos
Odyssea Ioannou,….and so many others.
With him in concert;
Piano – keyboards: Andreas Apostolou
Electric Bass: Vangelis Paterakis
Drums: Stefanos Dimitriou
Violin: Mary Brosi
Acoustic guitar: Apostolos Mosios
Irini Avastasiou; cello
Ανδρέας Αποστόλου: Πιάνο
Βαγγέλης Πατεράκης: Ηλεκτρικό μπάσο
Μαίρη Μπρόζη: Βιολί-τραγούδι
Απόστολος Μόσιος: Κιθάρες-τραγούδι
Ειρήνη Αναστασίου: Τσέλο
How his career started?
Vassilis’ adolescence was marked by the musical and social trends of the 1960s: Mikis Theodorakis, protest rock, international peace ..
While Greece was trying to get over the tragic years of the Greek Civil War. Vasilis Papakonstantinou became a follower of the left without ever becoming a member of a leftist party.
In 1973, after having served in the Hellenic Army, fulfilling his national service obligations, he moved to West Germany and settled in Munich.
There he participated in anti-dictatorship organisations, campaigning against the Greek military junta of 1967–1974 and singing in places with a considerable Greek student and immigrant population.
His first musical encounter was with Mikis Theodorakis in the summer of 1974, in Paris—their collaboration commenced two years later. In 1974, Vasilis returned to Greece following the fall of the dictatorship and embarked on a professional singing career, singing in clubs.
That same year he collaborated on the recording of “Ta Tragoudia tou Dromou” (Road Songs) by Manos Loizos.
In 1975, he recorded “Ta Agrotika” (Rural Songs) by Thomas Bakalako and met with two composers with whom he was going to work closely for many years: Manos Loïzos and Thanos Mikroutsikos.
Both of them promoted in new manners the songs of the big city without following faithfully the traces of popular or artistic music of earlier famous composers.
Papakonstantinou’s interpretation was ideal in expressing their dynamism and expressiveness.
Listen to some of his songs on YouTube
You can click on the links below to get a better idea about him and his songs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Do you want to learn more about Greek music, famous composers and songs mentioned above?
Then take a look at the following eBooks;