Tamvakos Archive

The amazing new fourth album by distinguished composer Lydia Kakabadse (born 1955), of Greek origin – via her mother, Maria Elfriede, born in Athens in 1923 – has just been released by Divine Art. It is an impeccable production and a masterpiece of interpretation of the magnificent “Odyssey” for choir and harp (The Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London / conductor: Rupert Gough / harp: Cecily Beer), made up of 7 movements and set to texts from Homer, Aeschylus, Pindar, Romanos the Melodist, Vitzentzos Kornaros, the poetry of Cavafy and the Akathistos Hymn. It also includes a cycle of 9 songs for voice (Clare McCaldin, mezzo-soprano) and piano (Paul Turner). The approach of the poetic tracks is breath-taking in tonal beauty and you’re left spellbound listening to the whole album. Lydia is a person of rare quality and an active member of the Greek community in London. “Odyssey” was commissioned by the Hellenic Institute of Royal Holloway, University of London to mark its 25th anniversary.

I urge you to look for this album and get it as soon as possible.

—Thomas Tamvakos