Mathios Ventouris

Lutist and singer. He was born in 1916 on the island of Kimolos. He learned how to play the lute from an elderly lutist compatriot of his. He played the lute at feasts and weddings on Kimolos from a young age. Apart from being a musician, he worked as a sailor and carpenter.

When he moved to Athens, he played and sang for years with Dora Stratou’s band. He worked with Domna Samiou in television and the radio, as well as concerts and disc recordings.

Source: Domna Samiou Archive

Songs

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  • SongCappadocia / KonyaAnakouAcritic Song

A Widow Bore a Child

(The Song of Porphyris)

  • Χήρα-ν παιδίν εγέννησε ⬥ A widow bore a child and called him Prosfylis, she bore him behind bars, she suckled him in a prison. Aged one, he took up a sword, aged two his spear, at three and four he leapt upon his mount, he leapt upon his mount and [...]
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  • SongThessalyMagnesia, KeramidiHistorical Song, National Legends and Laments

Amidst Three Seas

  • Ανάμεσα τρεις θάλασσες ⬥ Studio recording, 1980. Domna Samiou taped the song in Keramidi, Magnesia, sung by Aglaia Houtzoumi, in 1976.
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  • SongCarnival Song

An Old Woman, an Old Gran

  • Μια γριά μπαμπόγρια ⬥ Studio recording, 1980.
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  • SongDodecaneseKastellorizoLove Song

Gone with My Scarf

  • Έφκε με το μαντίλι μου ⬥ Studio recording, 1980.
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  • SongSporadesSkiathosLove Song

I See Some Ships Approaching Port

  • Βλέπω καράβια κι έρχονται ⬥ I see some ships approaching port, how beautiful they seem to me, ships that sail across the waters, rending my faint heart asunder. The one sails on a south wind, help, o Christ and Holy Mary, another on a north wind, white sails filled and [...]
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  • SongEastern AegeanLesvos, SkoutaroChildren's Song, Swing Song

I Want to Climb up to the Top

  • Θέλω ν' ανέβω στα ψηλά ⬥ I want to climb up to the top, my friend, up to the top of the roof of Saint George's, of Saint George's roof. I want to pick just two carnations, to sweep and make all clean, to sweep the she and make it [...]
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  • SongAsia MinorLove SongCouplets

Kanaria

  • Τα κανάρια ⬥ Studio recording, 1986. Domna Samiou taped the song in Agiassos, Lesvos, sung by a group of amateur actors, in 1965. According to the informants, the song originates from the village of Demircili, near Urla on the Eritrean peninsula.
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  • SongThraceLove Song, Spring SongCouplets

May

  • Λεν ήρθι Μάης κι Άνοιξη ⬥ May’s come, May’s come and spring, summer’s come when the perfumed roses bloom. I’ve a white rose I want to dye and if I get the shade just right, many a heart will I smite. Translated by Michael Eleftheriou
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  • SongAsia MinorErythraea, ÇeşmeNew Year's Carol, Ritual SongCarol

New Year Carol (Asia Minor)

  • Κάλαντα Πρωτοχρονιάς ⬥ Studio recording, 1980. Domna Samiou taped the carol in Skiathos, sung by Yiorgis Tzoumas, in 1975.
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  • SongPanhellenicAcritic Song

Now the Birds

(A Soldier and a Tree)

  • Τώρα τα πουλιά ⬥ Now the birds, now the swallows, now the partridges, now the partridges are singing more and more: – Wake up, master, wake up, my good master, wake up and embrace my body, tall and straight as a cypress, with a white throat, and with breasts like [...]
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Records

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  • AlbumLP1986Sirius

A Stroll with Domna Samiou

This is the product of an ‘alternative’ collaboration. After a personal invitation from Manos Hadjidakis, Domna Samiou publishes in Seiros this LP with songs which are for the first time brought together in a record. She thanks him 'for giving her the opportunity and freedom to present this audio material […]
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  • Album1982Ocora

Chants des Akrites

Akritic songs, which are perceived as the oldest examples of Greek popular poetry, are inspired by the legends of Akrites’ lives and their fights in defence of the eastern borders of the Byzantine Empire. The LP was recorded by the French Radio, published in Ocora series and distributed along with […]
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release2017Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Epic Songs of Warriors and Heroes

The publication includes 30 songs, inspired by the popular tradition of story-telling, relating tales of brave warriors, both high-ranked lords, and lowly soldiers. Centering on heroic Digenis, they originate from all parts of Greece. The publication also contains a detailed booklet analyzing the history surrounding the songs, and their interpretation. […]
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  • AlbumLP1980Zodiac

Perperouna

Domna’s first work for children came as a fulfilment of her constant aspiration to bring traditional folk songs closer to children –especially those living in the cities. Some of these sixteen traditional songs, with their ‘easy’ melodies, uplifting rhythms and amusing lyrics, were anyway sung by children –like 'Perperouna', 'Chelidonisma', […]
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  • AlbumDigital release, LP1984Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs of Asia Minor 1

On this LP, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. This LP marked the founding of the Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association.
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release1992Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs οf Asia Minor

On this CD, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. The CD includes songs from two previous LPs, 'Songs of Asia Minor 1 and 2'. (barcode: 5204910000128)  
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Concerts

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  • 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.
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