Songs of Greece: With Greek Text, Translation, and Notes, volume 1

Canti di Grecia: Con testo greco a fronte, traduzione e note, volume 1

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Details
Print length: 426 pages
Language: Italian
Publication date: 8 Oct. 2022
Dimensions: 14 x 2.72 x 21.01 cm
ISBN-13: 978-8894415735

A Journey into the Sung Poetry of Greece—Now Accessible in a Scholarly and Engaging Edition

Songs of Greece is far more than an anthology: it is an open gateway into a poetic and musical world that, though deeply rooted in the Hellenic tradition, has remained virtually unknown to Italian readers. Nearly two centuries after Niccolò Tommaseo’s pioneering 1842 collection, this book seeks to fill a surprising gap in Italian publishing by restoring visibility and dignity to a cultural heritage of extraordinary depth.

The work serves a dual purpose: first, to offer readers unfamiliar with Greek a faithful and accessible translation of these songs; and second, to provide critical tools for distinguishing genuine traditional Greek repertoire from folkloric or distorted adaptations. Unlike the author’s earlier book, Listening to Greece: A Journey Through Music and Traditions (2019), which focused on instruments, dances, and musical traditions, this volume centers on poetic language, presenting the original Greek texts side by side with literal, line-by-line translations, supported by footnotes and a brief but essential introduction to poetic forms and metrical structures.

A Vast and Nuanced Vocal Heritage

The book explores major categories of traditional Greek song, organized by genre and theme:

• Acritic Songs: Epic songs from the Byzantine era (9th–13th centuries), recounting the lives and battles of border guards like the legendary Digenis Akritas;
• Popular Ballads: Narrative songs filled with fantasy and emotion, present throughout the Hellenic world and considered foundational to Greek song traditions;
• Historical Songs: Epic retellings—often embellished—of real events and figures, such as the Fall of Constantinople;
• Klephtic Songs: Dating from the Ottoman era (1453–1821), these celebrate the lives and exploits of the klephts and armatoli, rebel fighters against Ottoman rule;
• Songs of Separation and Exile: Expressing the sorrow of departure and longing, these songs reflect the emotional cost of migration;
• Love Songs: Covering a wide range of sentiments from joy to heartbreak.
• Gnomic, Work, and Satirical Songs: Including proverb-like verses, songs tied to trades and labor, and humorous or irreverent pieces, especially popular during Carnival.

A Book to Read, Hear, and Explore

One of the book’s most distinctive features is its interactive dimension: every song in the collection is paired with an authentic audio recording, available via an interactive PDF on the author’s website. This allows readers to hear the melodies while following the text line by line—a rare and valuable addition to the reading experience.

Who Is This Book For?

Songs of Greece is ideal for musicians, scholars, philologists, and anyone passionate about Greek culture and oral traditions. It combines scholarly rigor, linguistic precision, and deep cultural knowledge. Published under the auspices of the Filellenia Cultural Association—Center for Studies, Documentation, and Education on Greek Music, Dance, and Traditions, it offers both a practical tool and a rich intellectual journey for anyone eager to discover the poetic voice of traditional Greece.