www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Greek dancing music

What is Greek dancing music called ? I heard it years ago, and I really enjoyed it, but I don't remember its name. The main musical instrument sounded sort of like a cross between a zither and guitar. It made a sound like this: "deedle deedle dee, deedle dee, deedle dee; deedle deedle dee, deedle dee, deedle dee;" --and so on, changing in pitch and speed. Sometimes there was singing, sometimes not. The dancing was remarkable: so full of life and joy of life. The people stood in sort of in a line, with arms upraised and hands either clasped or snapping their fingers. I'm not doing it justice with this description, and I'm sorry. But it was so exotic and beautiful and full of life that the mere memory of it makes me smile and wish I had a glass of ouzo. :-) Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

-- John

OK, I'm going to guess the "Kalamatianos" (sp?) Alice is really the one you want to ask. Also the instrument you were asking about is the bozouki. Now here is an interesting tidbit. The bozouki is found in Greek, Serbian and Montenegrian culture. As well as one other place - Ireland! It makes one wonder sometime about origins of cultures. There are mnany similarities in culture, temperment and history amongst all those peoples. Actually, i think they are all descended from Russians!

Alexandr, who awaits the pie throwing!

Hey, I am surprised to read this. I would have thought you meant they are decended from Carpatho Rusyns!

Same thing!


Alexandr, who is rapidly donning flame proof clothing! LOL!!!

p.s. After all the heavy discources lately, it's nice to be able to have a bit of fun!

I absolutely love bouzoukis, and hope to acquire one in the near future. If you want to hear some really good players, I'd suggest listening to Andreas Toumazis and Angelos Hatzipavli, both of whom played with Cat Stevens on early albums, as well as the Alex Avramovici Orchestra, who despite being a Romanian, plays alot of Greek folk music.

I was with you there until you mentioned the OYZO

(See my posts last May about Greek Fest)

Dear John,

I'm of Greek descent, so let me start by saying there are many different types of Greek dancing music. Right before Thanksgiving, I was happy to find out that there was a Greek dance troop from New Jersey. They were excellent, and had even performed at the Olympics in Greece, as well as for President Bush.

They started off with a marshall dance from Asia Minor, that was presented as being from the time of Alexander the Great. It had movements very similar to those of the Ukraine, so I assume they came from around the Black Sea area. They also danced the Hasapiko, which again was presented with a 'marshall' quality, and is very much like the Yugoslavian music and dancing...as well as the Jewish 'Hora'.

Then there was my favorite, the Zebekiko. It has a very slow tempo, and is quite 'Oriental'. Of course women were not supposed to dance it...but I always did.

The women, (believe it or not), had a scarf drawn across the lower part of the face. I knew they covered their faces in the Byzantine Empire, and I was right. The Greeks in that part of the world, (before their expulsion), always tended towards the Orient, and it seems to me that much of the modern Greek music of today is quite similar to that of Persia...oops! I mean Iran.

Then the dance troop went on to the island music, which leans more towards the Italian, after all they did belong to Venice and Genova. The dances are called either a Ballos or a Sirto and many times it's danced in two's... sort of reminding me of a dance scene in a certain Dutch painting, (oops, forgot the painter's name).

On the main land, and throughout the Greek speaking world, the Kalamationo, (I guess from the city of Kalamata), is the most common. It is danced in a line and is very lively..again I sense a European influence, (maybe from the times of the Crusades and the Frank conquerors). That's probably the dance you're thinking of.

All in all, the Greek tempo is different, and at one time the Guitar and Mandolin was the instrument of choice. That was when Greece leaned towards Europe. In the sixties though, a few phenomenal composers took the 'Bouzouki' music of the refugee's from Asia Minor that was played in the 'dives' in Greece and created an authentic Greek sound. That's the music that has remained the most popular throughout Greece, and that the non Greeks love... reminiscent of the dancing in Zorba the Greek, and Never on Sunday, etc.

The main instruments are the Bouzouki, the Ute, (which is probably the medieval Lute), and the Baklama, a very small string instrument with a tingly sound. Years ago though, the main instrument was the clarinet...very similar to the Jewish music of the time.

Zenovia

Ouzo is fine, but given my druthers, I'll take Cretan Raki! There is a wonderful little Cretan restaurant not far from here, with an ancient Yaya who does all the cooking. They have no liquor license, but every time I walk in the door, I get a coke glass full of Raki. They make wonderful paximadi and the Hohli are to die for. (p.s. Dr Eric, I don't reccomend that you try the Hohli!)

Alexandr

What are Hohli?

As I wrote before... licorice flavored rocket fuel... I don't get it. I believe it's supposed to be mixed with something.

But gyros... MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

OK, Dr Eric. Take a little compazine first.

Ready?.......

Hohli are snails with vinegar and tomatoes. With some crusty paximadi and a good glass of wine on a sun lit patio in Greece.... what more could one want?

Alexandr

Dear Alexandr,



I'm surprised that the Bouzouki is found in Ireland. It must be a new innovation...I guess they picked it up in the sixties and seventies, when Bouzouki music by certain Greek composers became all the rage in Europe.

Actually the Bouzouki came into Europe with the refugee's from Asia Minor in 1920. It was looked down upon by the main land Greeks, and I have to assume the rest of Europe never even heard of it. It became popular with the exceptional music of Hadzithakis. (Probably mispelled his name).

Zenovia

Dear Alexandr,

What's Hohli?

Zenovia

Companzine?

Paximadi?

Snails?

It has to have a backbone or I won't eat it (as far as meat goes.)

Compazine is an antiemetic. Paximadi is Cretan bread. Snails are delicous if prepared correctly.

Why do we ALWAYS talk about food in the middle of Lent? LOL!!! At least nobody has mentioned CHOCOLATE!!!!

Alexandr

Did someone mention Chocolate????

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Nope! No chocolate here. Only snails! LOL!!

Alexandr

Oops! I thought you were using a greek or italian term kohm-pahd-zee-neh.

I should quit while I'm behind!

Chocolate covered snails anyone?

Alexandr

sans snails, well YES, but only if in good dark chocolate!

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Oppa!
Stephanos I

Oooh, I have a bar of Slovak Lemsovka Dark Chocolate with Hazelnuts sitting on my kitchen table. Technically, it is tomorrow already, so maybe just a little piece?

Alexandr

Dear Zenovia,

Thak you very much for your post. I will investigate the different kinds of music which you discussed. Based upon what you shared, it was probably either "bouzouki" or mainland Greek music which I had heard. Thank you again !

-- John

CHOCCIE

Did someone mention choccie

Wonderful stuff to be sure - and as long as it is the dark stuff I can munch it

And of course as long as it is over 85% Cocoa it's also good for your health - another reason for enjoying it

Anhelyna - the choccie lover

Dear Alexandr,

I have tried Russian chocolates, and I must say that they are quite good...not as overly sweet as the American kind.

Regards,
Alice

OK, here we go, a chocolate Orthodox Church!!! Surely, this must be lenten!!!

http://www.neatorama.com/2006/11/11/chocolate-orthodox-church/

Alexandr

Dear Alexandr,

What a gorgeous sculpture. Don't tell me it's going to be eaten?

Zenovia

Yes, it will be eaten by me!