Dimitris Dragatakis facts for kids

Dimitris Dragatakis (born January 22, 1914 – died December 18, 2001) was a famous Greek composer. He wrote many kinds of classical music and special Greek art music. He is known as one of Greece's most important modern composers.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Dimitris was born in a place called Platanoussa in Epirus, Greece. This was in 1914. He started learning the violin in 1930. He studied at the Greek National Conservatory in Athens until 1939.

Later, he changed to playing the viola. In 1949, he began taking lessons in composition. His teachers were Leonidas Zoras and Manolis Kalomiris. He earned his diploma in composition in 1955.

His Unique Musical Style

Dimitris Dragatakis is seen as one of Greece's most important modern composers. He had a very personal way of writing music. His style was both mature and clear.

His music was greatly shaped by the traditional music of Greece. He was especially influenced by the music from his home region of Epirus. He also found ideas in ancient Greek drama.

But he also liked new ideas in music. He explored things like free atonality. This is music without a main key. He also tried new ways to combine instruments. He used ideas from post-modernism and minimalism. He even explored electronic music.

Awards and Achievements

Dimitris Dragatakis won several big awards for his music. In 1997, he received the Maria Callas award. This was from the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. In 1999, he won the important J. A. Papaioannou award. This award came from the Athens Academy.

He also spent twenty years teaching. He taught violin and music theory at the Greek National Conservatory. In 1997, he became the vice president of the conservatory.

For twenty years, he played the viola in the Greek National Opera. Later, he was part of the board for the Athens State Orchestra. He was also the vice president and honorary president of the Greek Composers Union.

Dimitris Dragatakis passed away in Athens in 2001. He was 87 years old.

What Kind of Music Did He Write?

Dimitris Dragatakis wrote many different types of music. He created pieces for small groups of instruments. These are called chamber music. He wrote for strings, winds, and brass instruments.

He also composed music for choirs, which are groups of singers. He wrote concertos, which are pieces for a solo instrument with an orchestra. He even created music for ballet and dance.

Some of his works were electronic music. He also wrote many pieces for full orchestras, called orchestral works. He composed solo pieces for instruments like piano, flute, and cello.

Dimitris Dragatakis also wrote music for plays and special events. He even composed songs for singers.

Discography

You can find some of Dimitris Dragatakis's music on these recordings:

• Dimitris Dragatakis: The String Quartets (Irida Classical: IRIDA 022)
• Dragatakis: Piano Works (complete) (Naxos 8.570789)
• Dimitris Dragatakis: Chamber Music I (Irida Classical: IRIDA 001)
• Ballades for saxophone and orchestra (Naxos 8.557454)