Work of the Week – Mikis Theodorakis: Zorbas Suite

Joie de vivre across all borders: the Turkish premiere of Mikis Theodorakis' Zorbas Suite will take place in Ankara on 11 October 2024. The version for flute and orchestra will be performed in the Ziraat Bankası Ana Salon of the CSO Ada cultural campus. The solo part will be performed by Yubeen Kim, accompanied by the Cumhurbaşkanlığı Senfoni Orkestrası under the direction of Wilson Ng. 

The Zorbas Suite for flute and orchestra has its musical roots in the world-famous soundtrack of the 1964 film Zorba the Greek, with which Theodorakis composed a musical legacy to his Greek homeland. The legendary Sorbas dance in particular became inextricably linked with Greece as the ‘Sirtaki’. In 2019, Stathis Karapanos and Achilleas Wastor transformed the later ballet Zorbas into the Zorbas Suite for orchestra with solo flute. 

Zorbas Suite by Mikis Theodorakis: dance for freedom and joie de vivre

One of the most famous dance scenes in the history of music is undoubtedly the intoxicating dance of the two protagonists of the ballet, Zorba and John. It has long since come to epitomise the celebration of life. In addition, the ballet, which premiered in the Verona Arena in 1988 and features music by Mikis Theodorakis and original choreography by Lorca Massine, contains numerous other world hits that have made their triumphal march around the world in song versions.

I compose for all people all over the world. Mikis Theodorakis

Mikis Theodorakis would have been 100 years old in 2025. Look forward to this event now and visit our new official artist channel for Theodorakis on YouTube, where you will find exciting documentaries, music videos and background information every day. You will find the link below.

Further Reading:

Mikis Theodorakis: Composer Profile

Zorbas Suite: work details and online score 

Website Cumhurbaşkanlığı Senfoni Orkestrası

Mikis Theodorakis Artist Channel