Manos Hatzidakis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Manos Hatzidakis
Background information
Native name	Μάνος Χατζιδάκις
Born	(1925-10-23)23 October 1925 Xanthi, Greece
Died	15 June 1994(1994-06-15) (aged 68) Athens, Greece
Genres	Classical music Éntekhno film
Occupation(s)	Composer musician
Instruments	Piano violin accordion
Years active	1944–1994

Manos Hatzidakis (also spelled Hadjidakis) was a famous Greek composer. He was born on October 23, 1925, and passed away on June 15, 1994. Many people consider him one of the greatest Greek composers ever. His music greatly influenced modern Greek music throughout the second half of the 20th century. He was also a key figure in a music style called "Éntekhno".

In 1960, he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. This award was for his song Never on Sunday, from the movie of the same name.

Manos Hatzidakis' Early Life and Education

Manos Hatzidakis was born in Xanthi, Greece. His father was a lawyer from Crete, and his mother was from Edirne. Manos started learning music very early, at age four. He took piano lessons from a talented Armenian pianist. He also learned to play the violin and the accordion.

In 1932, when he was seven, Manos moved to Athens with his mother. This happened after his parents separated. A few years later, in 1938, his father died in a plane crash. This sad event, along with the start of World War II, made things financially tough for his family.

To help out, young Manos took on various jobs. He worked at the port, sold ice, and helped in a photography shop. He also worked as an assistant nurse at a military hospital.

Despite these challenges, he continued his music studies. From 1940 to 1943, he learned advanced music theory. He also studied philosophy at the University of Athens, but he did not finish this degree. During this time, he met many important artists and writers. These included Nikos Gatsos, George Seferis, and Odysseas Elytis.

During the Axis occupation of Greece (when Greece was occupied by other countries during WWII), Manos joined the Greek Resistance. This was a group fighting against the occupation. He was part of a youth branch called EPON. There, he met Mikis Theodorakis, another famous composer, and they became good friends.

Later in his life, Hatzidakis explained his music's purpose. He said his work was meant to reveal things, not just to entertain. He also mentioned that some of his music for movies and plays was just for work, not his most important art.

Manos Hatzidakis' Musical Journey

Manos Hatzidakis' first major work was the song "Paper Moon". This song was for a play called A Streetcar Named Desire. He worked with the Art Theatre of Athens for 15 years. Hatzidakis was very interested in "rembetika" music. This was a traditional Greek music style. He admired composers like Markos Vamvakaris.

In 1951, he used rembetika in his piano work, Six Popular Pictures. This piece was also performed as a folk ballet. In 1949, he helped create the Greek Dance Theatre Company.

He started writing popular songs and movie soundtracks. He also created more serious works. One example is The C.N.S. Cycle from 1954. This was a group of songs for piano and voice.

In 1955, he wrote music for the movie Stella. The movie starred actress Melina Mercouri. She sang the famous song "Love that became a double-edged knife". Hatzidakis always said he wrote his serious music for himself. He wrote the lighter songs to earn a living.

In 1958, Hatzidakis met Nana Mouskouri. She was a talented singer who performed his music beautifully. His big international success came in 1960. His song "Never on Sunday" won an Academy Award. It became a hit all over the world.

In 1962, he created the musical Street of Dreams. He also finished music for the play Birds. This play caused a stir because of its new and bold direction. The music was later used by a famous ballet company. He also wrote music for the song "All Alone Am I". In 1964, he released the album 15 Vespers. This album included the well-known song "Mr Antonis".

In 1965, his album Gioconda's Smile was released. It was re-released later with improved sound quality. In 1966, he went to New York City. This was for the opening of Illya Darling, a Broadway musical. It was based on Never on Sunday and starred Melina Mercouri. He stayed outside Greece until 1972.

Time Living Outside Greece

While living outside Greece, Manos Hatzidakis continued to create music. His album Reflections was made with the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble. It featured some of his most beautiful songs. Some were instrumental, and others had English lyrics. This album was ahead of its time.

Later Years and Legacy

After the military government in Greece ended, Hatzidakis became very active in public life. He held important positions in several cultural organizations. These included the Athens State Orchestra and the Greek National Opera.

In 1985, he started his own record company called "Seirios" (Sirius). He also helped young artists, like Foivos Delivorias, start their singing careers in 1988. In 1989, he founded and led the Orchestra of Colours. This was a small symphonic orchestra.

Death

Manos Hatzidakis passed away on June 15, 1994, in Athens. He was 68 years old. He died from a serious lung condition. In 1999, the City of Athens named a cultural center, Technopolis, in his memory. He was buried in Paiania.

Musical Scores

• Adoulotoi Sklavoi - Unsubdued Slaves (1946)
• Kokkinos Vrahos (1949)
• Dyo Kosmi – The Two Worlds (1949)
• Nekri Politeia – Dead City (1951)
• O Grousouzis – The Grouch (1952)
• Agni Tou Limaniou - Lily of the Harbour (1952)
• Stella (1955)
• The Counterfeit Coin (1955)
• O Drakos – The Ogre of Athens (1956)
• One Street Organ, One Life (1958)
• To Nisi Ton Gennaion - The Braves' Island (1959)
• Never on Sunday (1960)
• Woe to the Young (1961)
• It Happened in Athens (1962)
• The 300 Spartans (1962)
• America America (1963)
• Topkapi (1964)
• Gioconda's Smile (1965)
• Illya Darling (1967) – Broadway musical
• Blue (1968)
• Reflections (1969) – Performed by the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble
• The Invincible Six (1970)
• The Pedestrian (1973)
• Sweet Movie (1974)
• Faccia di spia (1975)
• Memed, My Hawk (1984)
• Reflections (2005) – Performed by Raining Pleasure. Special appearance by Meriam performing the song "Kemal"
• Amorgos (2006)
• Six popular pictures Op.5 -ballet for piano based on greek popular melodies
• For a little white seashell Op.1- preludes and dances for the piano (1948)

See also

In Spanish: Mános Hatzidákis para niños