Music & Dance
For most people, Greek music and dance evokes images of spirited, high-
kicking laps around the dance fl oor to the tune of thebouzouki (musical
instrument in the lute family), as seen at weddings, tourist hotels and
Greek tavernas around the world.
The sound of the bouzouki has been synonymous with Greece since
the 1960s, when it was introduced to international audiences in Manos
Hadzidakis’ theme to the fi lmNever on Sundayand immortalised in
Mikis Theodorakis’ soundtrack to Zorba the Greek.
Yet Greece’s strong and enduring musical tradition dates back to
antiquity, and encompasses a diverse range of musical infl uences and
styles. Music remains an evolving and integral part of Greek culture,
identity and self-expression.
All of the diff erent Greek musical genres are still heard today, with
most leading performers at some stage in their careers drawing on
laïka (popular urban folk) andrembetika (blues or regional music).
Greece’s music scene is also pumping out its share of mindless pop,
club music, and even jazz, rock and rap, albeit Greek-style.
Tr a ditional Folk Music
Greece’s regions have distinct musical style, steeped in local traditions
and history. Regionalfolk music is generally divided intonisiotikaa (the
lighter, more upbeat music of the islands), and the more grounded
dimotika (regional folk music) of the mainland – where theklarino
(clarinet) is prominent and lyrics refer to hard times, war and rural life.
The music of Crete, a world-music scene genre in its own right, remains the
most dynamic traditional form, with a strong local following and regular
performances and new recordings.
Traditional folk music was shunned by the Greek bourgeoisie dur-
ing the period after Independence, when they looked to Europe – and
classical music and opera – rather than their Eastern or ‘peasant’ roots.
While urban folk music is heard throughout Greece, traditional folk is
still popular in rural areas, especially at celebrations.
Rembetika
Often referred to as the Greek ‘blues’,rembetikaa is one of the most
enduring and internationally recognised forms of Greek music. With its
underground roots, its themes cover heartache, hardship, drugs, crime
and the grittier elements of urban life.
Markos Vamvakaris, acknowledged as the greatestrembetis (mu-
sician who playsrembetika), became popular with the fi rst bouzouki
group in the early 1930s, revolutionising the sound of popular Greek
music.
Rembetika’s anti-authoritarian themes made the genre popular
among political exiles and left-wing activists during the junta years.
Ancient Greek
vases depict a
circle of dancers
performing a
dance similar to
the syrtos, which
is still danced
today.The memorable
opening-credits
track from the
1994 film Pulp
Fiction was based
on surf guitar
legend Dirk Dale’s
1960s version of
‘Misirlou’ –
originally
recorded by a
Greek rembetika
band around
1930.