Cherubini, Requiem

Luigi Cherubini's Requiem in C minor, written in 1816, is one of the most important works of religious music of the 19th century, a masterpiece that bridges religious tradition with romantic sensibility and was particularly loved by great composers such as Beethoven, at whose funeral the work was performed in 1827. The work was composed at the time of the Restoration to commemorate Louis XVI, King of France, on the twenty-fourth anniversary of his execution. The first performance took place on 21 January 1817 in the St Denis Cathedral in Paris. Its unusual orchestration uses neither soloists nor flutes and is characterised by the striking use of the tam-tam in the dramatic "Dies irae" movement, which lends the piece a unique theatricality. The work, which strikes a balance between drama and contemplative serenity, with impressive harmonic writing and innovative techniques for its time, is performed by the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Municipality of Athens under the musical direction of Alkis Baltas in a concert dedicated to the memory of the eminent pianist Vicky Stylianou, who passed away in 2024.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Alkis Baltas

Born in Thessaloniki. He studied violin and music theory at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki. In 1974 he received his law degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He continued his music studies at the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin, and he obtained a diploma in composition and conducting. He is a member of the Greek Composers' Union. Many of his works have been performed in Greece and abroad. His compositions have received awards in Greek and international competitions.  Many of his works have been released on CDs. As a conductor, he has performed with all Greek orchestras and has given many concerts abroad. He was the Artistic Director of the Thessaloniki State Orchestra (1983-92), the Greek National Opera (1994-97), the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra of which, until today, he is Honorary Conductor (2011-17), the Music Ensembles of Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (1997-99), the Symphony Orchestra of the Municipality of Corfu (2004-08) and, since May 2010, the conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the Philharmonic Society of Corfu. From 2001 to 2019 he was the Artistic Director of the Patmos Sacred Music Festival entitled "The Holy Revelation of Music". Since 1990 he has been the Artistic Director of the Music College Conservatory of Thessaloniki. He taught orchestration and conducting at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1992-2011). He was the Artistic Director of the Contemporary Conservatory of Thessaloniki (1986-88) and the Hellenic Conservatory of Music & Arts in Athens (1999-2013).