The Philharmonic Societies of Corfu constitute a significant part of the island's cultural heritage, with a history starting in the 19th century.
These are musical ensembles of wind and percussion instruments that participate in religious and national holidays, as well as in public and cultural events.
The philharmonic societies also function as centers of music education, offering schools and departments for teaching instruments, choir, and music theory. Today, the philharmonic societies of Corfu continue to play an active role in the social and artistic life of the island, preserving the musical tradition and contributing to the cultural education of young people.
Philharmonic Societies in the City of Corfu (3) Name Headquarters Uniform Color Uniform Details Establishment Other Information Corfu Philharmonic Society ("Palaia") City of Corfu Dark Blue Maroon September 12, 1840 Oldest philharmonic in Greece. Founded as a center for music education with Mantzaros' vision for a "Music Academy." Approximately 350 people participate, 150 in the Parade Department. Mantzaros Philharmonic Society City of Corfu Dark Blue Cyan, White November 18, 1890 Second historic philharmonic of the city. Maintains an active music body of approximately 300 people, 120 of whom are in the Parade Department. Kapodistrias Philharmonic Union City of Corfu Red Black, White 1980 The newest of the three major philharmonic societies. First appearance on New Year's Day 1980 (45 musicians). 25 teachers teach voluntarily and 250 students attend, 100 in the Parade Department.
Philharmonic Societies in the Corfu Countryside (14) Name Location (village) Uniform Color Uniform Details Establishment Other Information Gastouri Philharmonic "I Omonoia" Gastouri Dark Blue Red March 10, 1898 Kinopiastes Philharmonic Kinopiastes Dark Blue Maroon 1966 Kontokali Philharmonic Society Kontokali Dark Blue Maroon 1997 Started as a children's choir and band. Maintains approximately 40 students. Skripero Philharmonic Association Skripero Dark Blue Green May 3, 1909 Evolution of a choir. First appearance March 25, 1911. Lefkimmeans Brotherhood Philharmonic Lefkimmi Dark Blue Orange May 25, 1910 Founded by the Lefkimmeans Musical Artistic Union. Dissolved in 1915 due to the Balkan Wars and re-established in 1961. Lefkimmi Philharmonic Society Lefkimmi Dark Blue Green 1911 Ano Korakiana Philharmonic "Spyros Samaras" Ano Korakiana Dark Blue Yellow 1958 Award from the Academy of Athens (2000). Maintains schools for theory, rhythmic-melodic solfège, and instruments. Municipal Philharmonic of Thinalia Acharavi Red Yellow, Black — Over 100 students. Has a music archive of 100+ works. Lakones Philharmonic Union "Saint Nicholas" Lakones Dark Blue Maroon 1992 45 musicians and 90 members. Karousades Philharmonic Karousades Dark Blue Maroon, Yellow — Approximately 100 musicians and members. Avliotes Philharmonic Avliotes Dark Blue Maroon — 70 members. Liapades Philharmonic Liapades Dark Blue Light Green — Sinarades Philharmonic Sinarades Dark Blue Yellow, Green April 1, 1962 Agios Mattheos Philharmonic Society "Lorenzos Mavilis" Agios Mattheos Dark Blue Maroon —
Most Famous Pieces
Easter
Before the 1st Resurrection + Philharmonic Band Holy Friday Holy Saturday Corfu P.S. (Old) Withered Leaves - Gerasimos Kanioros Marcia Funebre (Amleto) - Franco Faccio Light of the Cross - Antonis Soueref and Georgios Ninos The Mother's Pain - Dimitrios Kafyris Adagio in G minor - Tomaso Albinoni (trans. G. Belli) Descent into Hades - Spyros Prosoparis "Mantzaros" P.S. Aranjuez - (trans. Vikentios Gionanidis) Calde Lacrime - Cesare de Michelis La Madruga - Abel Moreno Gomez Quattro Pezzi Sacri - Giuseppe Verdi Marcia Funebre - Dimitrios Andronis Marcia Funebre - Stefanos Dolianitis "Kapodistrias" P.U. Sventura - Giuseppe Mariani Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), 2nd Movement - Ludwig van Beethoven Destiny - Michalis Michalopoulos Marcia Funebre - Frédéric Chopin After the 1st Resurrection
"Oi Grekoi"
References