Tribute to Iannis Xenakis - Percussion works - at the Alternative Stage

The Greek National Opera Alternative Stage participates in the celebration of the centenary of the birth of the great 20th-century music innovator Iannis Xenakis with an extensive programme of concerts and performances.

The four parts of the Tribute to Iannis Xenakis will be presented on the GNO Alternative Stage at the SNFCC on 7, 8, 20, 22, 26 May 2022.

Acclaimed percussionist Alexandros Giovanos  performs alongside the internationally acclaimed percussion ensemble Elbtonal Percussion Iannis Xenakis' milestone works exploring the boundaries between musical arrangement and noise, often inspired from the legacy of the ancient Greek culture.

In the concert, Alexandros Giovanos will perform the impressive work Rebonds for solo percussion, Kassandra’s masterly monologue, as well as the work Psappha (an archaic version of the name «Sappho»).

The Elbtonal Percussion  ensemble was formed in 1996 in Hamburg, and has ever since carved out an amazing career ranging from classical and jazz music to world music. The ensemble, consisting of Francisco Manuel Anguas Rodriguez, Jan-Frederick Behrend and Stephan Krause, will present Okho (1989), Xenakis' last work for percussion ensemble, dedicated to the trio Le Cercle and commissioned for the bicentennial of the French Revolution - a work that makes use of the exotic timbres of three djembes and one more «big-sized African membranophone», in the composer's words. 

Percussion works 

- Rebonds (1987-1989)

- Okho (1989)

- Kassandra (1987),

- Psappha (1975)

Alexandros Giovanos (percussion)

Martin Gerke (baritone)

Elbtonal Percussion ensemble