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Μοιρολόι
We have here a piece of impressive beauty, but one which is the result of a rather curious evolution. In fact the miroloi (lament) was originally a polyphonic song performed during funeral ceremonies and particularly during the funeral wake. In its present form the piece contains several elements which recall its origins, such as for example the imitation by the instruments of the voices of the keening women of earlier times. Today the lament is a kind of “instrumental song” which is performed to mark the beginning of the joyful celebrations at a wedding.
Translated from French by Derek Yeld
Studio recording (1983) in Paris, France.
