In 1947, during the turbulent years of the Greek Civil War, Mikis Theodorakis was arrested for his political activities and exiled to the island of Ikaria. It was there, in the harsh conditions of exile, that he composed his only work for solo violin — a deeply personal piece dedicated to fellow political prisoner and violinist, Giorgos Lykoudis. Years later, through the distinguished violinist Tatsis Apostolidis — former concertmaster of the Athens State Orchestra and student of Lykoudis — the manuscript was preserved in the Mikis Theodorakis Archive of the Great Music Library of Greece “Lilian Voudouri.” The work received its world premiere in 2006 at the Athens Concert Hall.
Drawing on the tradition of solo violin works by composers such as Nikos Skalkottas, Paul Hindemith, and Max Reger, Theodorakis shaped a musical journey that is unmistakably his own. Anchored by a simple yet deeply expressive theme, the piece unfolds through a series of variations that suggest a struggle for escape — a search for light in a maze of confinement. Some variations circle back, as if retracing steps within a labyrinth, while others reach impasses. The final movement leaves a haunting impression of a soul imprisoned yet fiercely resilient, unwilling to yield.
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Video credits:
Recording: Vangelis Sapounas @ Subway Studios/ Musical Supervision: Augustinos Moustakas/ Production Execution: Subways Music / Sofoklis Sapounas/ Production Associate: Kyriaki Hatzidaki
Augustin Moustakas
Based in Athens, Augustin Moustakas moves between performance, composition, and teaching with equal dedication. A violinist and chamber music specialist, he studied with two of Greece’s leading figures — Pandelis Despotides, long-time principal of the Athens State Orchestra, and soloist Georgios Demertzis, founder of the New Hellenic String Quartet. His interest in composition led him to study under Babis Kanas.
His PhD at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is focused on the pedagogy of string quartet playing — a reflection of his deep commitment to chamber music both as a performer and educator. He is a founding member of the Aella String Quartet and has collaborated extensively with many of Greece’s foremost orchestras, including the Athens State Orchestra, the National Opera, Camerata, the Orchestra of Colours, the Athens Philharmonic, and the Contemporary Greek Music Ensemble, among others. His performing career has also included appearances with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra of Athens.
Augustin Moustakas is dedicated to music education. He teaches violin and chamber music at conservatories in Athens and throughout Greece and is active in creating educational materials for young musicians. In collaboration with Panas Music publishing, he is developing a series of chamber music books aimed at music students and ensembles. As a composer his work often explores unconventional textures and contemporary techniques. His Prelude & Ostinato for flute and harpsichord (2006), a two-part atonal piece inspired by John Rutter’s Suite Antique, juxtaposes a free, improvisatory opening with a fast-paced, rhythmic ostinato. His Choral Works (2009–2011) set texts by Greek poets Andreas Embirikos and Yiannis Ritsos for a cappella choir. In 2022, he released Arrangements for String Quartet, a collection that reflects his dual interest in tradition and reinvention. His 2024 take on Mikis Theodorakis-Theme & Variations for solo violin, shows how closely he regards the instrument as his personal voice, imbued with humanity and idealism.
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