Download The Estoudiantinas of Smyrne Our name draws its origins from the

The Estoudiantinas of Smyrne
Our name draws its origins from the most famous orchestras that were created in Asia Minor and made
the “tour of the world” between 1898 and 1922; the ESTOUDIANTINAS.
The dawn of the 19th century found the city of Smyrna, the capital of Asia Minor, in an
economic but also cultural orgasm, something that was strengthened by the commercial collapse of
Constantinople, and thus formed the commercial centre of the east in the emerging Smyrna. The
model of the French orchestra “estoudiantine”, a quartet with two mandolins, one mandola and one
guitar, acquires interest in Constantinople. The young and talented musicians Vassilios Sideris and
Aristedes Peristeris, both residents of Constantinople, undertake the foundation of this first
organised orchestra that was named "Politakia" and later "Smyrne Estoudiantina". The musicians
created a more “Greek” style of the estoudiantine orchestra in its melodies and rhythms also adding
lyrics. These melodies rapidly become popular among people of all social classes, inspiring many
tenors and choruses. The success of these first Estoudiantinas inspired other talented musicians to
create similar orchestras in Constantinople and Smyrna. Thus, an innovative model of orchestra, as
well as a musical movement, were developed, that created new forms of Greek music via the
assimilation of elements of the East and West. Estoudiantinas became the first and the most
authentic “musical bridges” that combined harmonically creative elements of so diverse cultures.
The use of many different musical instruments (oud, canun, zurna, caval, santour, mandolin,
clarinet, accordion, violin, and many more) allowed Estoudiantinas to continuously expand their
repertoire so as to include from byzantine hymns, and folk songs of Smyrna to balkan horas,
ottoman classical music and doinas, as well as west European polkas, waltzes and arias from
popular operas.
Τhe creative wave of the people that were involved in Estoudiantinas’ legacy expanded
beyond the region of Asia Minor. Those who returned in Greece during the 1920’s rallied round
Athens and Peireas, establishing the first symphony orchestras, conservatoires and record
companies. Nevertheless, the most important element of these Estoudiantinas was that it enabled the
birth of the Greek Operetta, as well as, the Rebetiko song and the Athenian serenade (kantada) and
later the folk song and its variations.
The revival
Following the brilliant history of the famous musicians & orchestras, a new “Estoudiantina”
was founded in 1999 by a group of 20 young musicians. The “moving spirit” and artistic director of
this band is Andreas Katsigiannis. The orchestra, located in a suburb of the city of Volos called Nea
Ionia, is an unusual orchestra in terms of the current social trend and recent music reality. It does
not only imitate the previous models of orchestras but also absorbs new elements, creating and
suggesting new musical patterns trying to attract more and more people to the genuine Greek music,
something that has been accomplished with hard work in a relative small period of time.
More than 250 concerts have been given from 1999 up until now both in Greece and abroad
(United States, Romania, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, Cyprus), at the most known concert
halls, together with some of the greatest Greek singers and musicians, gaining awesome reviews
from the press. In difficult times for music quality, Estoudiantina has managed to gain ardent
admirers and lots of friends, mainly from the younger generations, who’s love of traditional music
has brought them together.
The interest so many people have shown in our musical style compels us to continue
researching and performing the music of Asia Minor and its counterparts: the folk songs of the
Balkan, Mediterranean and the Black Sea nations. Estoudiantina’s projects are not limited to
concerts and recordings but extend to other fields including academic research, special publications,
development of archives, and educational initiatives.
Discography
In January of 2004 our first album was released comprised of a collection of Asia Minor
songs, with the title "Smyrne", produced by George Dalaras. This album won the Arion music
award for best Greek compilation of the year and in two months reached and exceeded the sales of a
gold record. During the summer of the same year, Estoudiantina presented a live DVD from the
concert at the Conservatoire of Herodes Attic with George Dalaras and Glykeria. In December of
2005 Estoudiantina published a limited edition live recording of its concert with the Odessa Folk
Orchestra (Volos, April 2004). During the month of April in 2006 our second album with MINOS
EMI was released, entitled “TEARS ON GLASS”. In May 2005 the highly respected Greek music
magazine “DIFONO” releases a cd with folk tunes from all around Greece. Then, more recordings
followed, which are the “Voices of the wind”, the double album «Mare Nostrum», the compilation
“Tunes and songs from near East” and last, the limited edition of the “Traditional Greek
Christmas Carols” , in the New Year’s Eve 31/12/2010.