Ηρακλής Οικονόμου

On this episode of Greek Music Express we celebrate the fascinating ways in which Mikis’ songs travelled around the world, in an international trajectory facilitated by top artists such as Jullie Dennis, Dalida, Edith Piaf, The Beatles, Shirley Bassey, Georges Moustaki, and of course, his Finnish m...

Milva, Liesbeth List, Gisela May, Edmonda Aldini, Christina Cunne, Maria del Mar Bonet – this episode's track list includes a prestigious list of popular female singers who recorded Mikis’ creations in Italian, German, Dutch… These collaborations demonstrate the global impact of an artist who was a...

On this episode, we celebrate the 100th birthday of not only the greatest Greek composer, but also the world’s greatest composer of songs of the 20th century. Our track list contains plenty of fascinating contemporary electronic remixes, reminding us of just how inherently modern and timeless Mikis T...

The week from July 28 to August 1 aboard GME, Voice of Greece’s English-speaking broadcast about Greek song, is dedicated to Greece’s most prominent composer, Mikis Theodorakis. The occasion? The celebration of 100 years of his presence in our musical and social affairs, as he was born on July 29, 192...

Here come some of the coolest summertime tunes, revisited through fascinating remixes by dynamic artists such as Ekmek, Mikro, Stereomatic, Vptheo and Thanos Kalentinis. The past meets the present, colossal composers such as Mimis Plessas and Manolis Hiotis meet the contemporary touch of innovative...

Nikos Mamagakis was an internationally recognised figure of the music of the 20th century, with a massive contribution to the development of avant-garde. Of equal significance is his numerous collections of songs that span across various genres, from New Wave to art and folk. Mamagakis passed away on...

Demis Roussos is, together with Vangelis and Nana Mouskouri, the most recognizable Greek “brand” name in the field of music, having sold more than 50 million records in his unmatched career. His songs fully convey the Mediterranean summertime colours; as Roussos himself indicatively said: “The reaso...

When poet and lyricist Manos Eleftheriou was asked to write a short autobiographical note, he wrote the following text: “I was born in 1938 in Ermoupolis, Syros. I wrote poems, short stories and lyrics for many songs. I read many books, listened to a lot of music, saw places. I met great people and m...

Gerasimos Lavranos is basically known to everyone more as a soundtrack composer and not so much as a songwriter. Indeed, some well-known Greek films from the sixties and seventies had their music composed by him. Today, we will be appreciating the more cosmopolitan creations of this great jazzman that...

Throughout the week that ends today, here at GME, we turned to the music of Epirus, a core type of Greek traditional music, and its main instrument: the Greek clarinet or clarino. Vassilis Soukas, Tassos Halkias, Giorgos Mangas, Manos Achalinotopoulos and Vassilis Saleas are the clarino instrumentalists...

Vasilis Saleas is the soloist who brought the Greek clarinet to the greatest music halls around the world. Self-taught, he inspired great composers and has managed for many years to "dress" everything he loves with his favorite musical instrument and its melodies. Vassilis Saleas, who grew up in a house...

Manos Achalinotopoulos considered by critics as the best clarinet performer of the new generation in Greece, was born and grew up in Athens. He started learning the flute and clarinet from a very early age. Manos Achalinotopoulos has travelled -playing clarinet, cawal and flutes- in more than 20 countries...

Tasos Halkias was among the most celebrated performers of Greek music in general, having a vast repertoire and command of many styles, and the music of Epirus in particular. He was born in 1914 near Ioannina in northwestern Greece. His family consisted of musicians going back to the 19th century. Halkias...

Throughout the week that starts today, here at GME, we turn to the music of Epirus, a core exemplification of Greek traditional music, and its main instrument: the Greek clarinet or clarino. The reason for our tribute: the loss of Petroloukas Halkias a few weeks ago, at the age of 90. Vasilis Soukas...

Nilufer is one of the most prominent performers in the history of Turkish pop. After winning prestigious competitions as a pupil, she recorded her first album at the age of just 17. With her expressive and sensual performances, Nilufer dominated the pop scene of the 1970s and the 1980s. Today, we conclude...

Today, here at GME, we continue our exploration of Turkish music with some Greek …spice by turning to Turkish folk music instrumentals. Turkish folk music is a huge field that includes popular music from the Ottoman era and influences from the cultures of Anatolia. As is the case with any complex a...

Today, it is time to celebrate the two Queens of Turkish pop, Ajda Pekkan and Sezen Aksu. There are no words to describe the popularity and status of these two divas; thankfully, their multiple collaborations with Greek artists, such as Antonis Vardis, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Haris Alexiou and Yannis Parios,...

This week, here at GME, we turn to the music of our neighbour, Turkey, and to its multiple interactions with Greek music. Turkish music is multifaceted, rich in tradition and talent, and open to many creative influences. Today, we shall be exploring the discography of my favourite Turkish band, Yeni...