Aristides Moschos

(1930-2001) Born in Agrinio, Central Grece, the fifth out of ten children, into a family of musicians. His first contact with the santur took place at a very young age, around eight, revealing his great potential. His father, who was also a musician, owned two music venues in Agrinio; it was there that young Aristides made his debut as a santur player.

After the war, he left Agrinio and moved to Athens, where he attended the Lyceum Club of Greek Women. With the Lyceum he toured around the world. He collaborated with many renowned musicians of his era and excelled in the traditional songs of the Aegean islands and Smyrna. He also participated in many radio and television programs on traditional and folk music.

He released a lot of personal albums, of which three received a gold and two a platinum certification. He also played as a soloist in around one hundred and fifty albums. He died in November 2001.

With information from the book by Yiorgos E. Papadakis,
Λαϊκοί πρακτικοί οργανοπαίκτες (Practical Folk Instrumentalists),
Athens 1983.

Songs

Souravli – Greek Flutes and Pipes
  • SongCentral GreeceInstrumental, Table Song

Flute Solo and Santur Solo

  • Κείνο τ’ αστέρι το λαμπρό ⬥ An interesting example of an instrumental table song in free rhythm, performed by Aristides Vassilaris (flute), recorded in 1974.
By the Flowering Oleander
  • SongCycladesNaxosLove SongCouplets

From Your Sweet Eyes

  • Από τα γλυκά σου μάτια ⬥ Studio recording (1975).
By the Flowering Oleander
  • SongEastern AegeanLesvosLove SongCouplets

In Smyrna, in the Armenian Quarter

  • Στη Σμύρνη μες στην Αρμενιά ⬥ Studio recording (1975). The theme of this song is found elsewhere as well, such as in Cyprus and Asia Minor. The song is composed of rhyming couplets.
Four and Four
  • SongMacedoniaChalkidiki, IerissosLove Song, Wedding Song

My Love Is to Wed

  • Η αγάπη μου παντρεύεται ⬥ My love is to wed and marry my rival, but it’s not that that pains me so, it pains me that she's asked me to be their best man. Father, if you are a Christian and know anything of love take these marriage-wreathes from them, [...]
Souravli – Greek Flutes and Pipes
  • SongDodecaneseInstrumental

My Precious (Tzivaeri)

  • Τζιβαέρι ⬥ Studio recording, 1974. An example of "kathistiki" music or music "for the table". It consists of a slow introduction for santur (dulcimer, santouri) and a main section on 4/4 time. The santur resembles the cimbalom and comprises three or four octaves. Each note is produced by three strings [...]
Souravli – Greek Flutes and Pipes
  • SongMacedoniaFlorinaInstrumental

Omorfoula

  • Η ομορφούλα ⬥ A local dance from Florina, Macedonia, in 4/4 meter. Traditionally, it is played and danced mainly at wedding celebrations. Recorded in 1974.
By the Flowering Oleander
  • SongDodecaneseInstrumental

Quick Dance

  • Πηδηχτός ⬥ A vivid dance from Dodecanese known as “pidichtos” (hop dance) from Rhodes. Recorded in 1975.
By the Flowering Oleander
  • SongEastern AegeanLesvosCarnival Song, Lampoon

The Mule, the Mule

  • Το μλαρ, το μλαρ ⬥ Studio recording, 1975. Domna Samiou taped the song in Mandamados, Lesvos, sung by Stratís Chiropaídis, in 1968 in the office of the community of Mandamados.
By the Flowering Oleander
  • SongCycladesLove Song, Sea and Sailors SongCouplets

Young Sailor

  • Αρμενάκι ⬥ Studio recording, 1975.
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Records

By the Flowering Oleander
  • AlbumLP1976EMIAΛ Columbia

By the Flowering Oleander

Another classic LP of Domna Samiou which brings together some of the masterpieces of Greek traditional folk music. It is a representative compilation of songs from different areas of Greece performed in an authentic way in respect of their lyrics, music and way of singing. In 2008 it was included […]
Four and Four
  • AlbumCD2018Caprice

Music from Greece: Domna Samiou

Reissue of the Caprice album Grekisk folkmusik (Ξενιτεμένο μου πουλí) on a CD with 9 extra tracks, and a comprehensively informative booklet about Greek folk music and the woman behind this production – Domna Samiou.
Souravli – Greek Flutes and Pipes
  • AlbumLP1974EMIAΛ Columbia

Souravli – Greek Flutes and Pipes

This LP is dedicated to Greek instrumental folk music and especially to wind instruments such as the different types of pipes: flute, mandoura, gaida, pipiza, gavala. In 1975 it was released in France by 'Arion' under the title 'Les flutes Grecques'. In 1977 it was republished in Greece in the […]
My Precious (Tzivaeri)
  • AlbumLP1972Lyra

Travelling in Greece with Domna Samiou

Domna Samiou had the general musical supervision of this important LP including twelve songs most of which are interpreted by her accompanied by local traditional musicians. As in all previous LPs, the songs are representative of all areas of Hellenism and are performed without any alteration in lyrics or music.
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Concerts

Concerts at the English Bach Festival
  • Concert
  • 1971-1980

Concerts at the English Bach Festival

Invited by Lina Lalandi, founder of the English Bach Festival and clavichordist, Domna Samiou made five appearances in the festival, presenting, in what could be the first time, the authentic traditional music of Greece to the English audience.
The First Concerts
  • Concert
  • 1971-1973

The First Concerts

In 1971, in the midst of the military Junta period in Greece, Dionysis Savvopoulos convinced Domna to sing at the club “Rodeo”. In the following years, she performed at “Kyttaro” and “Rizes”.
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