Invocation (Επίκληση) for mezzo-soprano and orchestra (2025), was commissioned by the British conductor and pianist Marios Papadopoulos to mark the centenary of Mikis Theodorakis’ birth. The main theme of the work was inspired by the second movement (Andante) from Theodorakis’ first symphony, which the composer wrote between 1948-53 and which exists as an independent work (“Elegy and Lament for Vasilis Zannos”). The melody is treated freely and unfolds in more or less unexpected ways, following the poetic text.
It is orchestrated for medium-sized orchestra plus piano and harp and an array of percussion instruments, including tubular bells, which at the very end of the composition, play the foreboding ‘Dies Irae’ motif, in close heterophony with the glockenspiel. This sudden stroke of enlightenment as produced by the reverberating metallic sound of the percussion, acts as a metaphor of “staring at the light”, in defiance of death and mortality. Supported by a series of chorale-like string chords, doubled by brass, the voice (while desperately reaching out with her hands), intones in a ‘quasi recitativo’ fashion the following words, attributed to Monk Sophronitis: The path to the light is full of shadows. But he who continues to walk becomes light himself.
By conquering death, therefore, the composer and his universal spirit, lives forever. This is the ultimate message conveyed through the music: Theodorakis’ musical legacy will be with us forever; it will continue to inspire and resonate with people across generations and borders.
“Invocation” is to be premiered on 14 October 2025 at the historic Cadogan Hall with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by its founder Marios Papadopoulos, to whom it is dedicated in gratitude and appreciation. The work will be interpreted in the original language, by Greek-American mezzo soprano, Melina Jaharis.
It’s text is based on Yannis Ritsos’ well known Autumn Symphony , and reads in translation as follows:
“You clothed us with all the sun,
with all your heart,
and when you were lost at the turn of the road,
the stars, the birds, and the flowers were lost with you.
You gave everything to us.
You kept nothing for yourself.
We will remain alone with outstretched hands – a nailed invocation
to call out to you and hear its cry”.
A further source of inspiration for this work, has been the engraving: The Man and the Sun, by Greek painter and engraver, Vaso Katraki (1914 – 1988). She was known for her passionate depictions of the sufferings of the Greek people during and after World War II. In 1967 she was exiled to a barren island by the military junta on the day that it took power. Katraki started with wood engraving, then developed an original and very unusual technique of sandstone engraving. It appears here, with the kind permission of the artist’s daughter, Marianna Katraki (2025)
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