Margaritis Kastellis (Castellis) () (1907–1972Βουνοπλαγιές του Ζαγορίου : φαντασία για μπάντα / υπό Καστέλλης, Μαργαρίτης, 1907-1972. Horizon Information Portal. Retrieved 14 February 2015. ) was a Greek composer and army officer known for his work in military music. His arrangement and adaptation of the Hymn to Liberty for military band is still played Greece today.Hellenic Military Academy. "National Anthem" . Retrieved 9 February 2015. He was born in Chrysoupoli (a city in northern Greece) and died in Athens.
Life and career Kastellis studied under Manolis Kalomiris.Ioannina and Contemporary Art Project (2010). "Kastellis Margaritis". Municipality of Ioannina He joined the Greek Army at an early age, as a musician, and upon completion of a full career, he left with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, having served as Chief Inspector of Military Bands nationwide. After retiring in 1963, he taught for several years at the National Conservatoire. He was an authority on wind instruments (both woodwind and brass, including brass band instruments).
Style
The main features of his music are: A profound attachment to popular musical tradition. A marked preference for "freer" form of composition (suite, fantasy) over more "formal" ones (sonata, symphony, concerto), though he was by no means unfamiliar with the latter. A large part of his scores are to be found at the Thessaloniki University Library (Department of Musical Studies), along with a 2002 thesis Christina Anastassiou.Greek National Documentation Centre (EKT). Biography and thematic project list Margaritis Kastelli. Retrieved 9 February 2015
Selected works
Compositions For orchestra Introduction and Round Dance from Epirus Prelude and Dance from Epirus Greek Dances (on motives taken from Greek Island tunes)
For military band Introduction and Round Dance from Epirus On the Mountain Slopes of Zagori The Booted Eagle Thessaly (march)
Chamber music Little Suite for clarinet and bassoon Elegy for two clarinets
Piano music Greek Dances Little Greek Suite (4 hands)
Songs Listen to my Secret The Hazelnut Tree The Sailor The Shepherdess' Lover The Heart of a Woman (for 4 voices)
Arrangements and transcriptions For Orchestra Little Lemon Tree The Zalongo Dance Vassiliki (Gives the Orders) Farewell, ye Fair Maids Lyngos
For Military Band Hymn to Liberty Florilège (Songs by Attique) Prayer (Bortniansky) Reveille (for the Infantry) Reveille (for the Artillery)
References