Lyravlos is recognized in Greece and abroad for a work not only of artistic and educational value, but also of important accomplishments in original research. From the Athens Hall of Music and the Warsaw Opera, from the Festival of Old Music in Stockholm and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, to Mendelssohn Haus in Leipsig, the co-operation with the National Orchestra of Athens in the First Greek Musical Celebrations, the participation in the festivities of the 2004 Olympic Games and with Universities as the Boston University, Sorbonne, Ionian University, University of Ioannina, also with more than 400 concerts and seminars in schools of all grades, Lyravlos has become identified with realizing the most well documented effort towards the learning and promotion of the rich Ancient Greek musical tradition.
Panayiotis Stefos lives and works in Athens. e had his first contact with music when he was 13 years old, at the Philharmonic of St. Anargyroi in Attica, when Paraskevas Gousetis was the director. The next year starts his studies at the Athens Conservatoire learning trombone in the class of the distinguished professor An. Kypraios. Th. Vavagiannis and K. Kydoniatis were his professors in the theory of music. He also studied theory, chamber and choir music with Al. Aenian. He graduated in 1977 with top grades and the first award by solid vote. In 1973 he was selected for the World Youth Orchestra under Zubin Mehta. He attended trombone and chamber music classes in Germany, Belgium, Hungary and Sweden. He was distinguished as a leading trombone player in the National Orchestra of Athens, the Orchestra of the Greek National Opera as well as in Manos Hatzidakis' Orchestra of Colors. He has participated and worked with many musical groups and has appeared in important music festivals in the country or abroad. He is a founding member of the well known quintet "Melos Brass". He has worked with many important composers such as Hatzidakis, Theodorakis, Savvopoulos, Mikroutsikos, Adamis, Antoniou, Karakatsanis, Kouroupos, etc.
Pan. Stefos has specialized in performing modern music. More than 10 Greek composers have written and devoted their works to him. He taught trombone in the Pindaric Conservatoire from 1981 to 1988 and in Phil. Nakas Conservatoire from 1988 to 1998. Another important study of his is on Panpipe, under Sedje Hemon in Holland. His work on this instrument is presented in the CD "Panos Stefos - Syrinx".
The chapter of Ancient Greek Music opened for P. Stefos 20 years ago, and he concentrated on that, not only studying the theory of Ancient Greek Music but also reconstructing most of the Ancient Greek Instruments, emphasizing the research of the way those instruments are to be played. The greatest advantage of his work is its many-sidedness, since the same person is a researcher, constructor and musician. This is a rare combination that allows P. Stefos to have a spherical view of Ancient Greek Music, a view that permits a safe approach in re-vitalizing this music. The creation of the ensemble LYRAVLOS was the culmination and crowning of all this research and the means by which he will test and put in practice the product of his work as well as achieve contact with the general public.
Ancient Greek Music remains one of the least illuminated chapters of the History of Greek Culture. Despite the fact that we have access to information concerning the role of music in everyday life, a great deal of significant information concerning the sound and the way it was played remains unknown.
The studies of ancient sources reveal that the role of music in ancient Greece was far more complicated than that of music nowadays. Music nowadays is part of our everyday routine and a means of entertainment, there are, however, certain kinds which are considered to be the elite of music and are addressed to the initiated and the music-lovers.
Music in the everyday life of Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece music was an integral part of people’s everyday routine and due to the fact that music was a complicated form of art as well as a cultural expression, it was highly regarded and present in all private and public festivities. Music, Asma-the singing and lyrics - Orchisis – group of dancers as well as the song between the acts -were features of a highly civilized community as well as factors and indicators of a higher quality of life.
From the archaic period music gradually assumed a more complicated form and role, the result of this development was that special music competitions were organized in many parts of Ancient Greece. Some of the oldest music competitions ever registered are the “Karnea†in ancient Sparta which was a place were music was highly respected and connected with the training and education of the youth.
After the 6th century music played a significant role in two major festivities known as “Megala Panathinea†and “Megala Dionysia†and was a main reason for Athens to hold a prominent position in terms of cultural development. During those festivities, apart from the music competitions, some very significant kinds of lyric poetry and music emerged, the most significant kind of which was the Ancient Drama.
Except being an important element in both public and private celebrations, music played an important role on unpleasant occasions and it made daily hardships more tolerable. Music was a main feature in celebrations such as weddings, banquets, social gatherings and moments of joy but also a valuable companion in everyday routine. A flute player for instance would accompany the women with his music while they were kneading, the workers during harvest, the oarsmen as well as the soldiers on their way to battle. Music was closely connected with sports and athletic games not only because they included music competitions but because the music would encourage and motivate the athlete to achieve a better performance.
The divine nature of Music
According to the ancient Greeks, music was divine as it assisted in healing both soul and body. It purified and soothed people’s souls and it inspired, encouraged and helped them relax. The above mentioned features justified the presence of Music, Asma and Orchisis in religious festivities such as the “Panathinea†held in Athens.
Music and other Art forms
Music is closely related to other sciences such as mathematics and philosophy thus it was one of the important subjects in young people’s education. Besides, its connection to the theatre and poetry was of major significance. Masterpieces of ancient Greek literature such as the Homeric epics and Ancient Tragedies were preserved thanks to music. It is an indisputable fact that music has made an invaluable contribution to the development and diversity of the Ancient Greek culture.
Reconstruction
of Ancient Greek Instruments
The reconstruction of musical instruments was what Panayiotis Stefos initially focused on, this pioneering work gradually developed into a thorough, scientific study on Ancient Greek Music.
He made a detailed research in museums, collected various sources of information, designed and reconstructed the ancient instruments.
The aim of this attempt was not just to create musical instruments that would serve as attractive pieces for exhibition purposes but as functional musical instruments that would present the surviving ancient musical pieces in the best possible way.
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Fidelity and use of natural materials
The attempt was to achieve the highest possible degree of accuracy in the reconstruction of musical instruments therefore a combined scientific study of all historical sources was required.
This enabled P. and M. Stefos to proceed to the most creative part of their work which was to reconstruct the instruments. They used the ancient technique and the original materials i.e. wood from fir tree, box-wood, reed, intestines for the strings, tortoise shells, leather, fish glue and wooden nails.
It is worth noting that during any artistic festival as well as educational seminar the public is allowed to see and touch the instruments.
Actually, among the ensemble’s suggestions is that of organizing seminars on the construction of the musical instruments which would be an enchanting and creative experience, especially for the group’s younger friends.
