Introduction
In 1995 Vangelis contributed music to an initiative to generate funds for the purchase of paintings by the Greek painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1541-1614, also known as ‘El Greco’). Limited to 3000 copies, the release and sale of the unique boxset "Foros Timis Ston Greko" (A Tribute To El Greco) helped to establish the National Fund for the purchase of works of art, created to enable Greek museums to purchase art that is considered part of the Greek cultural heritage.
The music of "Foros Timis Ston Greko" premiered on the 19th of September 1995 at a special event held at the Zappeion building in the center of Athens. In the presence of Vangelis and invited guests the music was played while images of paintings by El Greco were projected on a large screen. The boxset was sold exclusively (for 30.000 drachmes, about 100 euros) at the National Gallery (also known as Alexandros Soutzos museum) in Athens, until stock ran out somewhere in the 2000s. With the help of the fund the museum was able to purchase two paintings by El Greco: ‘Saint Peter’ and ‘The Burial Of Christ’.
The limited boxset of "Foros Timis Ston Greko" consists of a CD housed in a digi-pack sleeve, a 128-page art book, a specially printed sheet containing Vangelis' introduction (in Greek) and (if bought at the museum shop) a numbered purchasing ticket. The CD itself is numbered by hand, as well as signed by Vangelis. The digi-pack sleeve contains credits both in Greek (on the back) and English (inside). The art book is also written in Greek ánd English, with a section thanking Vangelis for his contribution and detailed information on El Greco's life and work. Obviously it contains many photos of El Greco's paintings. Finally, the large box that contains it all is a large hard-covered blue velvet-textured box, with two overlapping panels on top.
The music on the CD, dedicated to and inspired by El Greco's paintings, is divided in seven movements which style of solemn and reflective Byzantine compositions is often considered amongst Vangelis' finest work by those who appreciate his music. The release marks the first time that Vangelis collaborated with Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé, who contributed vocals on Μέρος 3. The two later worked together on Caballé’s albums “Friends For Life” (1997) and “With All My Heart” (1998). Greek tenor Konstantinos Paliatsaras contributed vocals on Μέρος 5. The concluding Μέρος 7 is a subtle composition for piano and synths and a serene crown on the album.
In 1998 the music of "Foros Timis Ston Greko" would also be commercially released as “El Greco”, an expanded edition with 3 additional tracks.
Tracklist and credits
- Μέρος 1 (10:08)
- Μέρος 2 (5:25)
- Μέρος 3 (6:26)
- Μέρος 4 (9:46)
- Μέρος 5 (8:12)
- Μέρος 6 (11:52)
- Μέρος 7 (7:00)
- Composed, arranged and performed by Vangelis.
- Montserrat Caballé - soprano
- Konstantinos Paliatsaras - tenor
- Special thanks to my colleagues who contributed to the completion of this work: Frederick Rousseau, Philippe Colonna, Yvan Cassar, John Martin, Andrew Hoy and Ian Lane.
- Recorded by Frederick Rousseau and Philippe Colonna.
- Choir conducted by Yvan Cassar.
Discography
Recording studio
Although there is no mention on the release where the music was recorded, considering the timing it was likely recorded in one of Vangelis' home studios in Athens.
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