Jannis and Maritina Batoulis Classic Guitar duo

1. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)  

Gavotte and Musette from the English Suite No. 3, BWV 808.

The Baroque Suite was one of the most popular musical forms of the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally conceived as a sequence of dances, it reflected the rich diversity of European dance styles and was employed in both courtly festivities and concert settings. Typically, it included dances such as the Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue, often enriched with additional movements like the Gavotte, Bourrée, or Musette.

The Gavotte, which originates from France, is a lively dance usually set in duple or quadruple meter. One of its distinguishing features is its upbeat introduction, which commonly begins on the third beat of the bar, imparting a light and animated rhythm to the piece.

In contrast, the Musette draws its inspiration from rural folk music. Its name derives from the traditional French instrument, the musette, a type of bagpipe, and its music is characterised by a sustained drone and a soft, pastoral atmosphere.

Both of these dances illustrate the artistry with which Johann Sebastian Bach transformed traditional forms into works of art that far transcend their original function as dance music.

2. Gabriel Urbain Fauré (1845 – 1924)

Pavane 

Among the French composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Claude Debussy is far more renowned today than Gabriel Fauré. Yet, in their own time, matters were quite different. In fact, Debussy harboured a certain envy toward Fauré, who had access to elite social circles—something Debussy himself never managed to achieve. Today, of course, Debussy enjoys significantly greater fame, perhaps due to the fact that he was the more innovative of the two, whereas Fauré’s music was perceived as more conventional.

And yet, behind this apparent conventionality lay a profound sensitivity, as revealed in Fauré’s own words:

“Modern man, conscious of the burden of his physical and moral fragility, is in need of compassion and forbearance when he seeks things that do not exist.”

It is as if he were telling us: Yes, we may yearn for things that do not exist in the real world—but music has the power, if only for a moment, to transport us to a realm where such things might be found.

The Pavane started as a sixteenth-century court dance and is thought to have most likely originated in Italy. Fauré’s take on the genre is a beautiful example, flowing gracefully and freely in a thoroughly enchanting way. Its success spurred him on towards writing his Requiem, which he had virtually completed a year later.

3. Manos Hatzidakis (1925–1994) 

Sexual Polyrhythmics

This composition was created for the film Sweet Movie (1974) by the Yugoslav director Dušan Makavejev—a bold and provocative cinematic work that explores themes of sexuality, politics, and freedom. The composition musically conveys the director’s understanding of the diverse and multifaceted nature of human desires and longings. The meter shifts between 5/8, 6/8, 10/8, and 11/8, while at certain points, the two guitars simultaneously perform melodies in differing time signatures.

4. Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) 

Libertango

Libertango is one of the most famous and influential tango compositions of the 20th century. It was initially recorded and published in Milan in 1974. The title is a portmanteau merging “Libertad” (Spanish for “liberty”) and “tango,” marking a turning point from classical tango to the creation of tango nuevo, a blend of traditional tango with jazz, classical, and rock influences. 

Libertango is more than a tango. It is a statement of artistic freedom. From Piazzolla’s groundbreaking composition to the subsequent interpretations, it continues to inspire musicians and audiences worldwide. Its adaptability proves the lasting genius of Piazzolla and the enduring power of tango.

5. Egberto Gismonti 

Água e Vinho (Water and Wine)

A piece of Gismonti’s album by the same name, released in 1972. It is a mesmerising composition that stands as a testament to Gismonti’s unique ability to blend various musical traditions, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, and Brazilian folk music. Although Água e Vinho is frequently performed as an instrumental piece, it was initially conceived as a song, set to the poem of the same title by Geraldo E. Carneiro, a distinguished Brazilian poet who collaborated closely with Egberto Gismonti.

6. Peter Maxwell Davies (1934–2016) - 

Farewell to Stromness

“Farewell to Stromness” is one of the most renowned compositions by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, a leading figure among British composers of the 20th century. The piece was initially written as part of the music for the revue Yellow Cake. The title refers to ‘yellowcake’—a colloquial term for uranium oxide. In the early 1970s, uranium was discovered in the Orkney Islands, located in the north of Scotland. The local electricity board proposed mining uranium and exploiting it through the construction of a nuclear power plant on the site.

The Scottish Secretary at the time commissioned a study to assess the feasibility of this proposal. Meanwhile, however, the local population began to protest, as they understood that such a development would radically alter the island’s character and destroy its idyllic atmosphere. The commissioned study ultimately rejected the plan to build the nuclear facility. In support of the local resistance, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies composed the musical score for the revue, which expressed the community’s opposition. Indeed, the proposal was ultimately abandoned.

7. Manos Hatzidakis (1925–1994) 

Perimpanou (Noble Dame)

Between 1966 and 1972, Hadjidakis lived and worked in New York. During this period, he collaborated with the rock band New York Rock & Roll Ensemble to produce the LP Reflections, which includes the piece Noble Dame. This composition was later adapted into Greek in collaboration with the poet Nikos Gatsos, under the title “Peribánou” as part of the music for a children‘s theatre play. 

Peribanou is a princess drawn from the depths of Eastern imagination—a figure of beauty, grace, wisdom, and tenderness. In the tale, Peribánou aids the young hero, Perdíkáris, in overcoming a series of trials and hardships, offering him not only magical powers but also affectionate guidance and care.

8. Panos Tundas (1886-1942)  Kouklaki (Little Doll) 

Vassilis Tenidis (1936-2017) - Habanera from Smyrna

Smyrna in the 1920s was a multicultural city where Greek merchants introduced not only the most modern goods from Central Europe but also the customs of that society. Among these, the Habanera rhythm was particularly fashionable. Yet, at the same time, the melodies of the East—with their distinctive modes and maqams—continued to captivate the populace. Consequently, composers frequently sought to create a synthesis of these two elements. This piece, known initially as «Κουκλάκι» (Little Doll), alludes to that very endeavour, namely, the fusion of East and West, and was set many decades later for a guitar duo by the composer and guitarist Vassilis Tenidis under the title “Habanera from Smyrna.” 

9. Traditional - Scarborough Fair

This is actually a Renaissance melody set to a medieval poem. The text recounts the story of a formerly enamoured couple who are now subject to insurmountable trials to be reunited. The final stanza suggests that the ultimate aim is not the completion of these trials, but rather the persistence of the effort itself. 

Paul Simon became aware of the song during his time in England, thanks to singer Martin Carthy, who had covered it on his first album. Τhe song reached its peak of popularity when it was made into a single in 1968. 

Concert by the "Charilaos" - Traditional Music Association of Apokoronas at the Mikis Theodorakis Concert Hall in the Old Venetian Port of Chania.