In our collective conscience, the Cretan lyra is strongly associated with the singing of love and sorrow in the traditional music of Crete and the Aegean. However, its ancient origins and Byzantine roots make it an instrument that is both noble and folk, a nautilus of sounds which travels through the musical eras and whose improvisations are spirited and bold – two elements that characterise both the playing of cellist and composer Yiorgos Kaloudis and the particularly interesting programme that he proposes, together with acclaimed soloist Irini Tsirakidou. An ideal companion of the human voice, the classical Cretan lyra has a vibrant musical presence with a tender and lucid sound, which can dance and sing praise but can also become melancholic and dreamy. Yiorgos Kaloudis, whose performance of Bach’s Cello suites on the Cretan lyra has earned international recognition, now unravels the thread of early music with works from the tradition of the troubadours, transcriptions from the repertoire of the viola da gamba, and madrigals.
Educational programme for adults 6/12 The classical Cretan lyra: A conversation with Yiorgos Kaloudis. Admission free with admission tickets (online reservation).
