2004 Athens Olympics: for voice, flute-piccolo, oboe, bassoon, and strings

Abstract

2004 Athens Olympics for voice/narrator, three wind instruments and strings, was composed especially for the Hellenic Society Prometheas’ presentation of “A Tribute to Greece and the Athens 2004 Olympics.” This event took place at Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium on May 23, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. The work has theatrical elements in its construction although it does not employ staging. The singer/narrator acts as the moderator of a little story, which presents the Olympians (the three wind players) as competitors and the strings as the audience. The materials of this composition include the Olympic Hymn, the ancient Delphic Hymn and some jazz-like ideas, which suggest America. All of the above molded together make the work a tribute to both countries, Greece and America, where the composer has lived his life over the years.