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MIMIS PLESSAS
THE SONGS WE HAVE LOVED
Mimis Plessas was born in Athens and he has been, since he was a
student, the lead piano soloist at the Greek National Radio.
As a young pianist he was honoured with the first music award from
the Minnesota University on 1951. The following year he became the
fifth ranked pianist in the United States. Since 1952, he has been
occupied with composition and was honoured six times Greece and
seven times internationally (Barcelona, Warsaw, Belgium, Paris, U.S.A.,
Tokyo, Alto Monte)
He has discovered many famous singers and actors (Zoe Kouroukli,
Nana Moushouri, Tzeni Vanou, Giovana, Marinela, Rena Koumioti,
Yannis Vogiatzis, Fotis Dimas, Yannis Poulopoulos, Tolis Voskopoulos,
Stratos Dionisiou and others.)
He composed for the theatre and the cinema, both in the classical and
the progressive sector and he won many Greek and international
distinctions (Paris, Edinburgh, Alto Monte, Washington, Karlovi Vary).
He has composed the music for 104 movies and 70 theatrical
performances and has given concerts, leading the greatest orchestras all
over the world.
He was repeatedly honoured with gold and platinum disks, and with
his composition “The Road” –the lyrics by Lefteris Papadopoulos- there
is no doubt that he is one of the highest selling artists in Greek
Discography.
In June of 2000, the city of Athens honoured him for his contribution to
Greek Music and the Mayor of Athens awarded him the Gold Medal of
the city of Athens, in a grand symphonic concert at the Athens Music
Hall.
In April 2010 he received an Honorary Doctorate from the Department
of Chemistry at the University of Patras.
For the same reason, as part of the ¨Athens’ Festival¨, he was honoured
by the Navy General Headquarters, in a special event to the Lycabettus
Theatre. In January of 2001, the President of the Democracy awarded
him with the Gold Cross of the Phoenix Order, for his contribution at
the Civilization of Greece.
He is actively working, maintaining the highest level which
characterized all his creations and his concert performances that
established him internationally, working the same time recording c.d.’s
with musicians and singers from Europe and U.S.A.
In 30 May 2002, under the auspice of the Ministry of Culture, he
celebrated his 50 years in the Greek Music Scene, at the Herod Atticus
Odeon, in a concert, which turned out to be very successful, with the
participation of well-known artists of the Greek Music Scene.
He was honoured with the Medal of the city of Athens, for a second
time. In November 2002, he ended the celebration of his 50 years in the
Greek Music Scene, with a big concert at the Athens Music Hall, with
the participation of Yannis Kotsiras and Dimitris Basis, and was
honored by the ¨Corporation for the Rights of the Artists¨ as the most
enduring Greek Composer.
In September of the same year, he was honoured for fourth time, by the
¨Academy of the Korfiatical Awards¨ for his contribution in the cinema.
In November of the same year, the Hellenic College of London awards
him with the title of the ¨Honorary Doctor of Music¨, for his 50 year
contribution.
In 2003 the Ministry of Culture and Education of Cyprus honoured him
with the supreme distinction “Salamina”, for his contribution to world
civilization.
In May of 2005, he staged the opening performance of the ‘Athens’
Festival’, on the anniversary of his 50 years, in a spectacular
performance, with the participation of the ERT Symphonic Orchestra,
the Chorus of the Athens’, the Jazz Quartet and the Folk Orchestra, with
main singer Alkistis Protopsalti and a plurality of other singers.
This evening’s programme consists of groups of songs - from great
cinematic successes, selected cycles of songs, the unprecedented “The
Road” and also internationally acclaimed songs of the composer.
Piano – Composition – Direction: Mimis Plessas
Vocals: Spiros Kleisas and Io Nikolaou
Bouzouki – Soloist: Georgos Pahis
Thank you for your company this evening.
Our next event is on
Friday 10th August at 21.30
“ENCARDIA”
Songs and Dances from the Greeks of
Southern Italy