Music, is a primordial constant that predates language, featured in every known human society. Melody, harmo...

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Music, is a primordial constant that predates language, featured in every known human society. Melody, harmony and rhythm can induce the audience to a trance-like state · does the oversimplification of modern music, in the name of increased accessibility, kill musical diversity, artistry, and technical proficiency?

   First of all, oversimplification isn't necessarily a bad thing. There are musical jewels from ie the Renaissance or other periods that are quite simple. And even some pop songs are quite nice music actually. For me it's more a question of quality. Obviously bad music has always existed, it's just that most of it didn't make it till our days (probably because it's bad!).

 

   The difference nowadays is that the  average person has much more say selecting music and deciding what will be mainstream, whereas previously it was either the nobles, or the aristocracy that deciced what was good.

 

   Of course I am not supporting going back to that state, but these people were mostly highly educated people with lots of time at their disposal. On the other hand, I hate to be an elitist, but usually the average person doesn't really have a very refined taste and high demands from what they listen to. Maybe it's the short attention span, or the lack of qualitative education, or maybe the hectic of  modern life... I'm not sure why but it feels so.

 

   Great things in music and in art in general, come to existence usually when an inspired individual, or an unusually talented and gifted small group of people make a unique creation. And then there is also a relatively small audience representing again a small fraction of the population, who can understand and value this creation.

 

   So it's also a question of if these individuals can be accepted and respected from the society (at least a substantial part of it), even leading to a productive osmosis between the two or if they are alienated, confined to their own microcosmos. I believe we need more of the former.

 

   As a core human experience, music is the result of thousands of years of neurobiological development of our species. Music, played an important role in the ancestral establishment of cooperative societies. Has music, during our current state of nation-wide social anxiety, lost its evolutionary purpose?

 

 

   The human mind and activity evolve constantly, and  this also applies to music. The fact that music nowadays is not used to let's say provide rythm during manual labour does by no means suggest that music has lost its cause. Music today has  a role that is mainly related to our psychology. It can support us psychologically, calm us, help us in our spiritual voyage or even give meaning to our lives. But also, music plays an important role when people gather, to entertain themselves, dance or fall in love.  And of course the sheer listening of music, or even more learning an instrument can have a positive impact on the construction of new neurones in children's but also older people's brains. Personally the mere act of practicing the violin has helped me through some hard times. It is a kind of meditation exercise which put one's mind in order.

 

 

 

 

 

.    Cognitive dissonance, is the feeling of emotional discomfort, we, as a species encounter, in the process of learning novel information, that contradicts existing beliefs. Can music be used, as an educational tool, that overwrites the stumbling block our brain faces, when processing conflicting information?

 

 

   To be honest this is a field I cannot claim expertise at. Nevertheless it is certain that music as mentioned before, is capable of transforming the human brain, therefore it may be capable of contributing to other psychological changes. 

.    The act of music Is social, leading to bonding between groups and is a universal human expression. How did music shaped your own self and belief system growing up and how your musical studies laid the foundation, for your collaboration with the National Opera of Greece and the cooperation with the different groups of people you encountered?

 

 

    Certainly the lonely, almost ascetic path I chose shaped my character but I'm not sure if classical music made me an introvert or if it was my introvert nature that led me to classical music.

 

   The cosmos of classical music is so unique that sometimes it is almost hard to communicate with people that have no relation to this world. On the other hand the communication through music (provided the right chemistry is there) can be something very special, something which one can't experience through ie verbal communication.

 

   From this occupation one develops the "skills" of patience and persistence and  learns how someone, starting from something so physical which is a wooden object, some horsehair and synthetic strings (used to be made of gut less than a century ago) one human being, using their mind and body can create something higher:   beautiful sounds  and even more importantly ideas and emotions. That is something very interesting in a world where we get to see only the finished product.

    In the past 15 years, there has been a massive exodus, of young talent escaping from the strict confines of Greece. You are among the few, that made a name for themselves abroad and returned home. What was the thought process behind your return and what were difficulties, you faced, during your repatriation? 

    The causes for the exodus of many young people, and what is more- the most dynamic and talented part of the country- are more or less known. The  financial crisis, the lack of meritocracy,  lack of chances etc. It is absolutely enraging to see people being given jobs let alone notable positions just because they have some "friends" somewhere or they are  supported by a certain political party. However in my sector, music  and especially orchestral musicians, things are completely different. And I'm very proud of that. Auditions are the most transparent way of getting a job, period. It doesn't matter how old you are, where you come from etc. You have to prove yourself in front of a jury consisting of some very skilled musicians. And that's why orchestras in Greece despite their problems are an oasis compared to other public services.

   An other difficulty for the young in Greece is the strict age-hierarchy, something that I didn't feel as strongly in Germany ie. Young people are not given the chances that they ought to, and are often mistreated by their elder peers or bosses, who often are far less competent. This comes on top of the fact that the young generation, despite bearing no responsibility for the country`s mess,  pays a very high toll with emigration and unemployment or very poorly paid jobs at best.

 

   People in Greece are also often very conservative concerning new ideas that disrupt the status quo and there are many frustrating mentalities such as indifference, egoism and apathy. 

    Yes, I decided to return home. Partly because I was among the few that had the chance (and grabbed it) to do something meaningful in their country and be able to live decently from it. After all, it is all a matter of your viewpoint; How do you define happiness? What do you prefer? Having a well paid job in a well functioning state of Northern Europe and feeling homesick or living with less but being able to be at the Aegean sea in less than an hour, visit your parents more often and speak your native language? 

  

   Despite all the problems, I feel content with my decision to return, and I believe that the new generation must fight for a better country.