Ancient Greek Music
Greek music has a respectable history spanning thousands of years, and it holds an honored place in Greek mythology. This mythology is responsible, among other things, for many musical terms that we know today, such as "melody" (from the word melos - μέλος), the word "symphony" (originating from the combination of the words syn - phon); the word "harmony" which originates from the word combination (Αρμονία in Greek) and in Greek mythology, it describes the pregnancy of the goddess Aphrodite by the god Ares as a complementary combination—meaning "harmony," and even the word "music" itself originates from the Greek word (mousikos - μουσικός), along with many other terms.
Ancient Greek music was played on a wide range of instruments, such as the "kithara"—a guitar-like harp, the "lyre," and more. It was performed in various events, including religious ceremonies, drinking parties, festivals, weddings, funerals, and more.
Historical research has gathered much evidence that the Greeks began learning and teaching music as early as the sixth century BC. Subjects such as harmony, melody, acoustics, and more were among those taught. The earliest surviving theoretical text, though partial, dates back to the fourth century BC and is called Harmonic Elements by Aristoxenus. Additionally, fifty-two pieces of written music have survived thousands of years, in varying conditions, offering breathtaking evidence of the musical richness that existed in ancient Greece. Among the surviving pieces is a musical excerpt from Euripides' "Orestes," as well as an inscription of music from the Treasury of the Athenians in Delphi. The most complete surviving piece of ancient Greek music is the "Seikilos Epitaph," engraved on a tombstone from the 2nd century BC, found in Tralles near Ephesus.
Followers of the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras believed that music is a mathematical expression of cosmic order. Music was also attributed with medicinal properties and therapeutic benefits for various physical and mental conditions—indicating that even in these ancient times, the Greeks recognized the influence of music on the human soul and health.
Modern Greek Music
Modern Greek music (as we know it in the last 150 years) is characterized by numerous influences it has absorbed over the years from various and often opposing cultures, both European and Asian, contributing to its richness and uniqueness.
We often associate Greek music with the instrument "bouzouki," but it is certainly not the only instrument commonly used in Greek music. Other instruments used include the "lyra," "oud" (known from Arabic music), "baglama," "tzouras," "zurna" (also known from Kurdish music), and many more.
Greek music has many genres. "Rebetiko" is one of the well-known genres—a genre strongly influenced by Turkish music. Other well-known genres include: Hasapiko, Laiko, Zeibekiko, Nisiotiko, Tsifteteli, Dimotiko, Sirtaki, Tsamiko, and many more.
Greek Music in Israel
In Israel, Greek music has gained enormous popularity and a loyal and enthusiastic fan base. This love is mutual, and over the years, many of Greece's greatest singers have performed in Israel, such as: George Dalaras, Haris Alexiou, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Glykeria, Natasa Theodoridou, and many more.
The legendary Greek singer Aris San, who arrived in Israel at the age of 17 and lived in the country for many years, significantly contributed to the widespread popularity of Greek music in Israel. Aris San's popularity among Israel's high society at the time, combined with the musical closeness of modern Greek music to the oriental music familiar to many immigrants from Eastern and North African countries—whose music was repressed and discriminated against by the cultural elite in Israel—provided fertile ground for the rapid spread and growing popularity of Greek music in Israel, especially among the lower classes in the country during the early decades of the state's existence. These enthusiastic fans found refuge in Greek music from the musical discrimination they experienced from the broadcast media of the time.
Udi (Yehuda) Saleas – Israeli Greek Singer
As a result of the long-standing love affair between the Israeli public and Greek music, local Greek singers have emerged over time. One of the most famous and prominent voices among them is the talented Israeli Greek singer Udi (Yehuda) Saleas, who began his career as a Greek music singer in the early 1990s and continues to this day.