Mikis Theodorakis - Axios Esti - Mr. Makis Matsas video
In this, most eloquent, tribute to Mikis Theodorakis, Mr. Makis Matsas, President of MINOS-EMI GREECE recalls his close frindship and collaboration with the artist who has transcended the "neighborhood of the angels", and who, without his knowledge, was responsible for bringing democracy even in the dreaded business environment, by tearing down the monopoly that was ruling the world of music production.
A translation of Mr. Makis Matsas', eloquent remarks, follows as space, provided by YouTube permits, for those who may not be able to understand the Hellenic Language.
" Mikis Theodorakis is, indeed, a living legend. He has far transcended "the neighborhood of the Angels" of Art and Culture; he belongs with History's Greatests; He is History's Melody-maker. And I, for one, am proud because for more than thirty-five years, Mikis has honored me with his friendship,and his collaboration.
All these years, Mikis, with his multi-dimensional and significantly dynamic personality has not only materially contributed in the musical and cultural world of Greece, but also simultaneously he contributed with his presence and personal involvement in the nation's struggles, ideals of freedom and democracy.
I am in awe, therefore, of the repositories of his spirit, I marvel at his talent with which he uses the scant notes on the pentagram, and I am amazed at his mastery to use the available media of his period in order to introduce noble poetry of his contemporary and antecedent poets and hear them being sang by the Hellenes, in such ways that the great Ritsos, contemporary poet laureate, wondered when Theodorakis contemplated to put to music his masterpiece, 'Epitaphios'. "How is it possible to allow this great Sacred Mass(Liturgy), this great lamentation and hymn for the proletariat(working Class) to be heard in the places where the atmosphere is replete with expletives, where people go to eat, drink, and generally make out?"
And the poet, after the passage of a few years continues: "In the final analysis, I was mistaken. That's where 'Epitaphios' should have been heard, and that is where Mikis had found them and the poem was offered to them." And they, in turn, embraced the great poem and the melody. They "drank" it; they devoured the poem.
It would not be of any benefit, for me to go on with kudos for Mikis, for, simply said, he does not need them. For that reason, therefore, I will recall an event, from our many-years-long collaboration and relationship, the subsequent results, of which event, are of such significance, that even Mikis, himself, could not have imagined.
We find ourselves, in the years of the dictatorship of the Colonels, around 1972. Mikis is away from his beloved Greece, in exile in Paris, where I go frequently and meet with him. " "
Running time: 07:04
