“… in the desert”, opus 124 (2022)

The work’s dramatic plot is based on David’s Psalms in Andreas Kalvos’ masterly translation. The selection of the verses was intended to create an inner spiritual association of ideas that leads from isolation and devastation to wrath and collapse. There follows the short and deeply humane prayer of Jonah, from the Old Testament book of the same title. Redemption comes through the invocation of God, followed by peace and quiet. Jonah’s text is translated by Harris Iosif. The sound of the bass clarinet supports, complements, reveals, underlines, and helps the listener focus on the essence of the text. The bass is indistinguishable from the bass clarinet; they are the same voice, a shared mind but with two sides painfully emerging from the fundamental question of existence. —P. T.

Philippos Tsalahouris

He studied flute and theory of music at the National Conservatoire on scholarship. His diplomas are accompanied by distinctions and awards. He is one of the most prolific composers of his generation. Among his over 120 works stand out his six Symphonies, the dramatic cantata Julius Caesar, The Death of Lord Byron, 24 Dances for the Benaki Museum, one-act operas, concertos, chamber music works, choral pieces, songs, etc. His works have been performed in more than twenty countries by leading ensembles and soloists. He worked for the Art Theatre Karolos Koun from 1991 to 2005, and he also collaborated with Greece’s leading theatre organisations. He was elected a regular member of the Greek Composers’ Union in May 1996. He is the director of Music Schools, as well as a teacher of composition and history of music at the Athens Conservatoire. In 2008 he was honoured with the Yannis A. Papaioannou award by the Academy of Athens.

Fethiye Mosque (Roman Agora)

The Muslim house of worship known as Fethiye Mosque, “The Conqueror’s Mosque”, is one of the most important monuments of the Ottoman era in Athens. It stands at the junction of Pelopidas and Panos Streets inside the Roman Agora. According to the prevailing view, it was built in the second half of the 17th century at a place where there used to be a Christian church and earlier than that, a mosque. It was also known as “the mosque of Staropazaro” because it stood within the area where the cereal bazaar was held. After the Greek War of Independence of 1821 and the formation of the modern Greek state, the Fethiye Mosque was used for various purposes. It was restored in 2015 and today it is both a monument open to the public and a venue that hosts various cultural events.

First Sacred Music Festival info leaflet available to read and download here