“Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou” (“Musiko Odiporiko me ti Domna Samiou”) was a television series researched and presented by Domna Samiou and broadcast by Greek National Television in 1976-1977. Each episode was dedicated to the music and dance tradition of a different area of Greece.
In the village Mylos (Mill ) Panagiotis Millas and his friends sing the song Our Tráta All Tattered, an old and widely sung song of labour at sea. The village got its name from the seven watermills that existed there in the past.
Our Trata All Tattered
Song Panagiotis Millas, group of men. Panagiotis Millas, violin, Antonis Verouchis, lute. Mylos, Euboea, 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
The same group sings the most loved song of the area, the syrto dance In Mylos and in Argastara. Locals dance. Lyrics of the song refer to names of villages in the area such as Mylos, Argastaras, Mekoudina, Gravias, and Kastro.
In Mylos and in Argastara
Song Panagiotis Millas, group of men. Panagiotis Zepis, clarinet, Panagiotis Lefkos, violin, Antonis Verouchis, lute. Mylos Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
In the small village of Agios Dimitrios, Domna Samiou met 87-year-old Sotiris Krisilias, the oldest lyra player in the area, from a well-known family of musicians. The songs that old Sotiris knew are unknown to the younger generation. He sang the song A Fair Maid Did Sing. The maid’s husband in the songs asks for …” hare’s milk” and “…wild goat’s cheese”. Based on this recording Domna Samiou performed and included this song in her album Folk Fables in Song.
The son of Sotiris Krisilias, Manthos Krisilias, plays a pastoral tune with his flute.
Solo Flute
Manthos Krisilias, flute. Aghios Dimitrios Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
Yannis Krisilias sings and plays on his violin the Arvanite love song Stura mantili graha (I threw the handkerchief over my shoulder) accompanied by a lute.
Stura mantili graha
Yannis Krisilias, violin, Kostas Spanos lute. Aghios Dimitrios Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
Kavodorítikos or Dance From Kavodoro is a typical local dance. Kavodoro (Cavo D’Oro) is a cape on the southeastern tip of Euboea in the Aegean Sea.
Kavodorítikos
Song Yannis Krisilias. Yannis Krisilias, violin, Sotiris Peppas, violin, Kostas Spanos, lute. Aghios Dimitrios Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
In Kavodoro, in addition to the usual tsambouna instrument, there is also a tsambouna with a bass flute called “tsambouna with zournas”. The only player of this instrument that exists in south Euboea was Thodoris Bouyioukos who lived in the village of Kapsala. He made his tsambouna himself and learned the art from his grandfather.
Dancing Tune with Tsampouna
Thodoris Bouyioukos, tsambouna with zournas (shawm). Kapsala Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
In the village of Achladeri, which has a rich musical tradition, the elderly brothers Themistoklis and Marigo Kokkini play two Arvanite tunes.
Arvanitic Tune with Lyra
Themistocles Kokkinis, lyra. Achladeri Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
Arvanitic Tune with Lyra and Davul
Themistocles Kokkinis, lyra, Marigo Kokkini, daouli (davul). Achladeri Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
In Achladeri village, Tasos Pallis sings the song Over Yonder Hills accompanying himself with a davul. With him Themistocles Kokkinis on his lyra.
Over Yonder Hills
Song Tasos Pallis. Themistocles Kokkinis, lyra, Tasos Pallis, daouli (davul). Achladeri Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
On the beach in Nea Styra, the famous lute player Mitsos Meindanis, plays a solo with his lute. Meindanis comes from a family of musicians, his grandfather played the lute and the lyra and his father the violin.
Solo Lute
Mitsos Meindanis, lute. Nea Styra Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
On the same beach, Mitsos Meindanis’ son, Christos Meindanis, sings and plays the Arvanite song Kush e shkundi dardhene (Who shook the pear tree) accompanied by his father.
Kush e shkundi dardhene
Song Christos Meindanis. Mitsos Meindanis, lute, Christos Meindanis, guitar. Nea Styra Euboea 1976
TV program “Musical Travelogue with Domna Samiou”
The two musicians sing the well-known Arvanite song Ra kambana Ypapantise (The bell of Ypapanti beats). And as they reveal on camera, it’s a permanent request at festivals and gatherings.
In the end, in a festive atmosphere, using the same melody, they all sing Sweet Perfumed Lemon joined by Domna Samiou.
Credits
Research and presentation: Domna Samiou
Director: Andreas Thomopoulos
Director of photography: Syrakos Danalis
Sound engineer: Tassis Palatsiolis
