Folk music serves as one of the criteria for shaping national identity. Through the perception of songs, historical milestones and cultural heritage are traced, and the aspirations and hopes of society are understood. Musical creativity can glorify a country and make its residents spiritually richer. However, in the modern world, the folklore uniqueness of each region is subject to the influence of the global show business and dominant vocal and stylistic trends. This blog will discuss the evolution of Cypriot polyphony and its outstanding artists.
Traditional Music
The musical traditions of Cyprus trace their roots back to the Byzantine era and are an integral part of the heritage of Ancient Greece. The songs born on the island are characterized by melodiousness and sincerity of lyrics, mostly dedicated to themes of love, nature, and freedom. These works not only entertain the audience but also provide an opportunity to understand the cultural, social, and historical aspects of life in different regions of the island. Considering its geography, traditional Cypriot music is influenced by Turkish and Middle Eastern creativity, resulting in a unique combination of melodies, rhythms, and instruments.
One example of such integration is the music style Rebetiko, also known as "Greek blues," which emerged on the island. It was named after the Greco-Turkish conflict of 1923, when ethnic Greeks were forced to flee Turkey and brought their musical culture to new regions of residence. Over time, Rebetiko increasingly resonated in public places frequented by Greek Cypriots. Today, this authentic music can be heard in cafes and taverns, at festivals, and during folk celebrations.
Cypriot dances such as Sirtaki and Tsifteteli, Syrtos, and Zeibekiko demonstrate the distinctiveness of Cypriots and always require musical accompaniment. The dances serve not only as a way to convey customs and traditions from the past into the future but are also an essential feature of weddings, home, and national holidays.
When performing Cypriot folklore, instruments such as the lute, violin, flute, bouzouki, and zurna are played. We will focus more on the last two. Zurna is a reed woodwind instrument with a double reed, resembling a wooden tube with a bell and 8-9 holes, one of which is on the opposite side of the rest. Zurna is closely related to the oboe and is considered one of its predecessors. This instrument is widespread in the Near and Middle East, India, the Caucasus, and the Balkans. Bouzouki is a stringed plucked instrument, a variety of the lute. According to one version, it originates from the Greek lyra, and according to another, from the Turkish bozuk-saz. The classic bouzouki has four pairs of metal strings and is common in many Mediterranean countries, as well as in Ireland.
One of the most talented and recognized modern performers of traditional Cypriot music is Monsieur Doumani. The group first formed in Nicosia in 2012 and subsequently recorded several popular albums, including Grippy Grappa and Sikoses. The band's repertoire includes compositions in the Cypriot-Greek dialect in bold original arrangements.
Foreign Music
In 1987, a permanent professional symphony orchestra was formed in Cyprus, where conductors from other countries were invited at different times. Together with the youth ensemble and music school, it provides education and practice for young talents. This creative alliance is under the aegis of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation, which is fully subsidized by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Among the most famous Cypriot performers of classical music are pianists Cyprien Katsaris, Martino Tirimo, and musicologist-pianist Solon Hadjisolomos.
Cypriots love rock music, which developed on the island in the late 1970s. One of the pioneers of the rock scene was Kim Nikolaou, founder of the group Kimstyle TR (TR stands for Teenage Revolution), which staged the first "live" rock show in the country. In the mid-80s, Nikolaou's work positively influenced a heavy metal band, Armageddon, which is today the oldest group in its genre. At that time, the musicians made serious claims about Cypriot rock during extensive international tours. In subsequent years, leaders of heavy music in Cyprus included Diphteria and Arryan&Path, later Methysos and Winter's Verg.
Since its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981, Cyprus has been a constant participant. With its performances at this grand musical forum, the country has demonstrated the talent and versatility of its artists. Among the most striking performances by Cypriots are Evridiki's "Comme Ci, Comme Ca" (1992), Ivi Adamou's "La La Love" (2012), and Eleni Foureira's "Fuego," which took second place in 2018.
Over recent decades, modern musical genres, especially pop, rock, reggae, techno, and dance music, have been vigorously developed in Cyprus. Local artists often blend contemporary interpretations with traditional ones, particularly noticeable in collaborations with Greek colleagues. The unique sound of the Cypriot scene also emerges from the fusion of Western and Mediterranean rhythms. An example is the electronic music genre representative Mikros Kosmos, which recorded its first album in Nicosia in 2008. In their performance, classic Greek Rebetiko was energized with a new vigor.
Cypriot Celebrities
Among all participants in the music industry, "stars" stand out, whose names are forever inscribed in the history of Cyprus' arts. Below are some of the most popular and successful contemporary performers.
Anna Vissi
This famous Cypriot singer and composer was born in a suburb of Larnaca in 1957. Naturally gifted, Anna attended classes at the Cyprus Conservatory from the age of six and won her first award at a local young talent competition at 12. Throughout her career, the singer has recorded 32 albums, 16 of which became "platinum" and 7 "gold." Notably, they have sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Anna Vissi has brought elements of Western pop music into Greek laiko and entechno, performing in pop-dance and rock styles. Her singles have frequently topped the charts in Europe, the USA, Russia, and on the Billboard dance music charts. The artist has represented Cyprus and Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest multiple times, including participating in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. For her achievements in music, Anna has received many top musical awards, including the Grammy, RMA, Brits, and MTV Europe Awards. Besides singing, she has acted in six theatrical productions and 10 films, and has also become a successful TV show host and popular radio station personality.
Michalis Hatzigiannis
Born in Nicosia in 1978, Michalis graduated from the Cyprus Music Academy, majoring in guitar and piano. At 18, Michalis won the song contest Afetiries, and in 1998, he represented Cyprus at Eurovision with his own song "Genesis." Hatzigiannis is a performer in the pop-rock and entechno styles, with more than 10 solo albums to his credit, including some in English. Some of these have become "platinum" over time. From 2000 to 2010, the singer received over 30 sales certificates for his albums in Greece, making him one of the most successful vocalists of the decade. Under the current President of Cyprus, Michalis Hatzigiannis briefly held the position of Deputy Minister of Culture. The artist has repeatedly won at the Cyprus Music Awards and Mad Music Video Awards for creating high-quality music videos.
Evridiki Theokleous
The singer was born in Limassol in 1968. After graduating from the Cyprus National Conservatory, she continued her studies at Le Studio des Variétés in Paris and Berklee College of Music in Boston. Evridiki began her career in Athens, where she released her first solo album in 1991. To her credit, the performer has 18 studio and 2 live albums, 2 compilations, and 82 singles. Throughout her vocal career, the singer has transitioned from pop compositions to more decisive rock. Evridiki has topped the Cypriot charts ten times and has represented her country at Eurovision three times. In 2007, she was named “Singer of the Year” in her homeland. Evridiki Theokleous has collaborated with well-known Greek music figures, including George Theofanous, Sakis Rouvas, and Vasilis Papakonstantinou. The artist has also participated in two musicals and hosted her own music show for several years.
Marios Ioannou Elia
This outstanding Cypriot composer was born in 1978 in Paphos. Marios studied composition at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and the Basel University of Music, as well as musicology at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts, where he earned a PhD. Elia has composed over 70 musical works, including the operas "The Hunt" and "The Ulm Oratorio," which was performed by 400 musicians! His "Auto Symphony," performed by an orchestra of 81 cars, attracted wide public attention, with an open-air audience exceeding 20,000 people. In his work, the maestro is not afraid of experimentation and uses the boldest combinations of musical instruments and scores. From 2013 to 2015, Marios Ioannou Elia served as the artistic director of the European Capital of Culture project. The composer has won several music awards, including multiple victories at international competitions.
Musical Events of 2024
This year, residents and visitors of the sunny island can look forward to a series of festivals and concerts. The Aphrodite Festival in Paphos will take place in September, after a three-year break due to the pandemic. Traditionally, it is held in the historic center of the city within the medieval Paphos Castle. The festival features leading theater groups from Europe, presenting classic works by outstanding composers to the audience. The annual Reggae Sunjam Festival is held in the first half of August in the village of Pomos near Paphos. Organized by reggae enthusiasts, it features local and international musicians. One of the festival’s missions is to send a message of peace to Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots regarding the divided island issue. The Beonix 2024 Festival will take place in September in Limassol. The stage, equipped with the latest concert technology, will feature techno and dance music, with leading DJs and headliners from European countries invited. The Sun And Soul Cyprus Limited Festival is held in the first half of November in Paphos. Musicians performing at various venues play styles such as reggae, soul, afro-beat, RnB, and others. A festive atmosphere prevails both on the beach, where a buffet is organized, and on pleasure boats at sea.
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