Stamatis Spanoudakis
| Stamatis Spanoudakis | |
|---|---|
 Stamatis Spanoudakis | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stamatis Spanoudakis |
| Born |
11 December 1948 Athens, Greece |
| Genres | Instrumental, religious, soundtracks and songs |
| Occupations | Composer, lyricist, arranger, producer and performer |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, piano, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, bouzouki and drums |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Labels | Philips, Seagull, ΕΜΙ, Lyra, MINOS EMI, CBS/Sony Music, Polydor, Warner Music, Stam Studio |
| Associated acts | Demis Roussos, Eleni Vitali, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Alkisitis Protopsalti, Manolis Mitsias, Yiannis Parios, Vassilis Saleas, Giannis Koutras, Mihalis Dimitriadis, Electra, Petros Gaitanos |
| Website | www.stamatisspanoudakis.com |
Stamatis Spanoudakis - Σταμάτης Σπανουδάκης (born December 11, 1948 in Athens, Greece) is a modern Greek classical composer. Early on he studied classical guitar. He went through a rock music phase, but then continued classical studies at the Würzburg State Conservatory with Bertold Hummel and later in Athens with Konstantinos Kydoniatis. Later on he studied Byzantine music.
Biography
Stamatis Spanoudakis was born in Athens Greece. Very early on he began to occupy himself with music.
He first studied Classical music ( guitar and theory ). He later played bass guitar and keyboards in a number of bands, in the sixties and the seventies, in Athens, Paris and London where he lived and recorded his first albums.
He was later attracted again to Classical music and returned to his studies of composition, first in Wurzburg Germany with professor Bertold Hummel and then in Athens with professor Konstantinos Kydoniatis.
He was then attracted to his third love - Byzantine music, which led him to Greek songwriting and instrumental music.
Since then he is consciously trying to reconcile his three musical influences (Rock, classical and Byzantine), in his music.
He wrote numerous hit songs (words and music) for most major Greek singers.
He also wrote the music for many succesfull films in Greece, Germany and Italy, for the theater and television and has recorded so far more than fifty albums.
Since 1995, he concentrates on instrumental music, based on Greek historical or religious themes, a music that has an unprecedent appeal.
Stamatis lives in a quiet suburb with his wife Dori and their four dogs. He has his own studio where he records his music, being the composer, arranger, producer, performer and engineer of his work.
An introduction
Stamatis is a peculiarly lonesome case in today’s Greek musical reality. For years, he has been following a totally personal musical direction which, as surprising and different as it may initially sound, has been proved correct by both time and the public. He has worked with the most successful Greek singers, successfully bringing out their “other side” by both composing the music and writing the lyrics for a large number of hit songs which are still very present today. (I akti, Pame gi’alles polities, Lathos epohi, Simera, Efiges noris, Zoi klemmeni, Kalimera ti kanis, etc) With the Soundtrack to the film “Stone Years” he brilliantly demonstrated that the clarinet is not only “for the fiestas”, but it is capable of expressing not only deeper and more demanding musical directions, but also religious (spiritual) ones as well. With his religious works, he has provided a very different perspective of contemporary byzantine music, which has kept us company and has calmed many “Holy Weeks” of our lives. (Kyrie ton Dynameon, Efta Paraklisis, Imera Triti, Earini Ora, etc). With his music for the cinema, since his first film in 1974, he has proved that music for a film can remain with you even after the film’s release and can become a part of your life. (Colours of Iris, Angel, Sudden Love, Stone Years, All in a road, Brides etc). With his decision, in 1994, to compose instrumental music exclusively, he opened up an avenue which, up until that time in Greece, was hermetically shut. An avenue on which many other musicians travel today. He embraces our Nation’s History and battles (endeavours), lest we forget who we (really) are (Alexandros, John’s Tear, Marble King, For Smyrni, A Piece of My Soul, Moments Gone, Alexandros II, Rejoice my sea etc). Finally, with his stance within the cultural and social developments of our country, he is seen as taking a stroll, in the opposite direction of his artistic peers, thus ignoring the “sirens” of ease and of submission
For Stamatis
"Stamatis Spanoudakis is widely regarded as the most prolific Greek composer of his age. Versatile in his music for film, television, records and concerts, he uses a rich and original musical palette that conjures up different perceptions in the sphere of musical imagery. He explores both tragic and dramatic experiences with an eye and an ear for the musical representation of the perennial dilemmas and joys faced by mankind both in the past and present.
To date, Stamatis has written concert works for rock groups, string orchestra, soloists and chorus. Future plans include compositions for wind, brass, tympani and percussion, adding to his fulsome output.
Concerts, including those at the George Enescu Hall (Bucharest), the Royal Albert Hall (London), and Beijin in China have proven his international reputation and set the seal on this remarkable artist’s achievement in bringing his unique brand of Greek music to the widest possible audience.
I have had the privilege of conducting some of Stamatis’ concerts and I am continually impressed by the way he considers his music as a living entity that is constantly evolving and developing and is never completely set in stone."
William Relton
Discography
| Album/CD title | Published by | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Beautifull Lies
Songs with Stamatis Spanoudakis |
Philips | 1971 |
| Looking Back
Songs with Stamatis Spanoudakis |
Seagull | 1974 |
| Promitheus
Original soundtrack from the film by Kostas Feris |
Seagull | 1974 |
| Colours of iris
Original soundtrack from the film by Nikos Panayiotopoulos |
Seagull | 1975 |
| To the first musician
A religious record with Stamatis and a vocal group of friends |
Seagull | 1977 |
| Let's listen together
Stories for children. Texts by Maria Goumenopoulou. Nαrrαted by Kostas Giannikos |
Seagull | 1977 |
| Nestor's company
Children's songs, with Nestor, Dori, Eva and Stamatis |
Seagull | 1977 |
| Nestor's dream
Children's songs, with Nestor, Dori and Stamatis |
Seagull | 1978 |
| Maran atha
Stamatis's first instrumental record. His frst attempt on everything that followed. |
Seagull | 1978 |
| Songs of love
Songs with Dimitris Tamposis and friends |
Seagull | 1979 |
| The garden with the statues
Music from the TV series of Pantelis Voulgaris |
ΕΜΙ | 1980 |
| The story teller
Music from the TV series of Nikos Pilavios |
Seagull | 1980 |
| The story teller ΙΙ
Music from the TV series of Nikos Pilavios |
Seagull | 1981 |
| Lord of the powers
A religious record with Giannis Koutras and Eleni Vitali |
Lyra | 1981 |
| Angel
Original soundtrack from the film by Giorgos Katakouzinos |
Lyra | 1981 |
| Dies Irae
A religious record with Michalis Dimitriades and Electra |
Lyra | 1982 |
| Sudden love
Original soundtrack from the film by Giorgos Tsemperopoulos |
MINOS EMI | 1983 |
| Something is happening here
The first colaboration of Stamatis with Vassilis Saleas. With Giannis Ekmektsoglou on electric guitar and Chiko on drums. A very unique record quite ahead of it's time. |
MINOS EMI | 1984 |
| Seven prayers
A religious record with Eleni Vitali and childrens choir |
MINOS EMI | 1985 |
| Senza tempo
Songs with Demi Roussos |
Warner Music | 1985 |
| Stone years
Original soundtrack from the film by Pantelis Voulgaris |
Lyra | 1985 |
| Contrabando
Songs with Eleutheria Arvanitaki. This was his first whole album, for a singer |
Lyra | 1987 |
| Absences
Original soundtrack from the film by Giorgos Katakouzinos |
Lyra | 1987 |
| On the way
Songs with Stamatis Spanoudakis |
Lyra | 1987 |
| And we came into the years
Songs with Eleni Vitali |
Columbia/ Sony Music | 1988 |
| Two steps from the sand
Songs with Alkistis Protopsalti |
Polygram | 1989 |
| Tanirama
Songs with Eleutheria Arvanitaki |
Polygram | 1989 |
| Ping Pong
A record of Stamatis rock era,with electric and acoustic guitars, synths and drums. Quite unusual when you think of what followed |
Polygram | 1989 |
| Striker Number 9
Original soundtrack from the film by Pantelis Voulgaris Striker no 9 |
CBS | 1989 |
| Third Day
A religious record with Manolis Mitsias and Vassilis Saleas |
CBS | 1990 |
| The dilemma
Songs with Petros Gaitanos |
Polygram | 1990 |
| Bye bye
Original soundtrack from the film by Giorgos Tsemperopoulos |
Columbia/ Sony Music | 1991 |
| I'm fine, thank you
Songs with Manolis Mitsias |
Sony Music | 1991 |
| Thalassa
A record influenced by the all surrounding and ever loving Greek sea. |
Sony Music | 1992 |
| Touch
Songs with Giannis Parios |
Minos EMI | 1992 |
| Where do you go when you sleep
Songs with Dori Spanoudaki |
MINOS EMI | 1992 |
| Iris / Promitheus / Maran atha
3 of the earlier instrumental and soundtracks, together in one record |
Stam Studio | 1994 |
| With words
A compilation of hit songs |
Stam Studio | 1994 |
| Alexandros (The myth of the east, the dream of the west)
This album tells the tale of Alexander the Great. A mixture of both rhythmic and melodic entities, the arrangements introduce an incredible cello rhythmic section which characterizes the theme of the album. |
Stam Studio | 1994 |
| Moments gone
Beautifully crafted melodies, blending Eastern sounds with classical musical arrangements. |
Stam Studio | 1995 |
| Holy Hour
An album filled with the exquisite melodies of the Greek orthodox religious hymns as well as originals by the artist. With Vassilis Saleas and Lefteris Zervas |
Stam Studio | 1995 |
| John's Tear
A magical music fairytale with vocals, effects and lovely melodies giving a modern glimpse on the revelation of St. John. |
Stam Studio | 1996 |
| Moments gone II
A natural blend of world music, with contemporary musical arrangements. |
Stam Studio | 1996 |
| The Marble King
A musical impression of Constantine Palaiologos, the last martyr Emperor of Constantinople. A tribute to Agia Sofia and the fall of his beloved city in 1453. |
Stam Studio | 1998 |
| All In A Journey
Original soundtrack of the film by Pantelis Voulgaris. A very quite, mysterius, and full of lovely melodies CD. Saxophone and Greek Lyra, carry the tunes, acompanied by piano and contrabass. |
Stam Studio | 1998 |
| Facing the audience
A live performance of the best of Stamatis Spanoudakis's works, performed by a string orchestra, a choir and an elite of soloists of traditional Greek instruments. |
Stam Studio | 1998 |
| Nineteenhundredandninetynine
A musical journey honoring the year before the millenium and the reason hidden before our celebrations. |
Stam Studio | 1999 |
| Before the exhibition
A compilation of Stamatis's music made for artist's Vasiliki exhibition in Paris. |
Stam Studio | 2000 |
| Moments gone III
An album filled with beautiful melodies, which is heard from start to finish all in one go. No skipping songs for this one. |
Stam Studio | 2000 |
| For Smyrni
The artist's musical perception of events that took place in Smyrni in the early twentieth century. "Music for a film that was never made" |
Stam Studio | 2001 |
| The Essential Collection
The absolute "Best of" Stamatis Spanoudakis's works. Digitally remastered all on a double CD album. |
Stam Studio | 2002 |
| Piece of my soul
An ethereal combination of chldrens voices and mixed teenage choir with many unexpected arrangements. Solid melodies provide the backround for a unique album. With Spyros Lambrou choir. |
Stam Studio | 2003 |
| Music for films
A compilation of film themes |
Stam Studio | 2004 |
| Brides
Original soundtrack of the film "Brides". Directed by Pantelis Voulgaris and produced by Martin Scorsese. A fantastic combination of music and songs, traditional instruments and Byzantine voices. |
Stam Studio | 2004 |
| Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Some of the best pieces of Stamatis Spanoudakis, performed live at the Royal Albert Hall by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the London Symphony Choir. |
Stam Studio | 2006 |
| Alexandros II (Paths you never walked)
A musical interpretation of paths that were not travelled by Alexander the Great, from Macedonia to the Far East. Performed by ERT Symphony Orchestra and Choir and Stamatis's band. |
Lyra | 2009 |
| Live in China
Live recording in Beijing. The best example of contemporary classical music. Performed live by ERT Symphony Orchestra and Choir and Stamatis's band. |
Stam Studio | 2009 |
| Je veux touzours etr avec toi
A record of sentimental music, complemented with ethereal vocals. The artist re-visits his guitars for the musical arrangements of the tracks; a renewed breath of air! |
Stam Studio | 2011 |
| Rejoice my sea
A beautiful blend of great melodies childrens voices, classical and ambient orchestrations, guitars, pianos and violins, inspired from and dedicated to the Greek sea and Virgin Mary. |
Stam Studio | 2013 |