RELOCATIONS: POLYPHONY AND IDENTITY

A PERFORMANCE-INSTALLATION AT ETZ HAYYIM
BY YAEL LEVY & NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

COMPOSITION, INSTALLATION, LIVE ELECTRONICS AND VIDEOS:
YAEL LEVY & NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

BAROQUE VIOLIN: GIORGOS SAMOILIS

HARPSICHORD: KATERINA ORFANOUDAKI

CANTILENA CHOIR: YIOULA AILAMAKI, ANNA MAKRAKI, DESPOINA KOURAKI
GEORGIA KARALAKI, ANTONIA KORAKA, ARISTEA XANTHOUDAKI,
VIVI KOUTSOGIANNAKI, YANNIS MANOUSAKAS,
VASSILIS GAGANIS, KONSTANTINOS RETTOS, YANNIS MANITAKIS
DIR: GIORGOS KALOUTSIS, ASSISTANT DIR: VIVI KOUTSOGIANNAKI

TECHNICAL SUPPORT: NIKOS EXARCHOS

THE RECORDINGS AND THE PHOTOS FOR THE AUDIOVISUAL INSTALLATION, THE VIDEO ART, AND THE ELECTRONIC PART OF THE WORK WERE COLLECTED BY NIKOS KOKOLAKIS AND YAEL LEVY IN THE CITY OF CHANIA, AS WELL AS AROUND MULTIMILLENIAL TREES IN THE REGION OF CHANIA, SUCH AS THE MONUMENTAL OLIVE TREE OF SAMONAS, THE ASCENDED OLIVE TREE OF VATOLAKKOS, THE MONUMENTAL OLIVE TREE OF OLD ROUMATA, THE ANCIENT OLIVE TREE OF ANO VOUVES, THE MONUMENTAL OLIVE TREE OF ST. GEORGE AT ANISARAKI, THE ANCIENT PLANE TREE AT VLATOS, AND THE ANCIENT OLIVE TREES AT DELIANA.

ETZ HAYYIM (THE TREE OF LIFE) IS SEEN AND REFLECTED BETWEEN THOSE TREES AS A METAPHOR IN THIS PROJECT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ETZ HAYYIM PLEASE VISIT ITS WEBSITE.

ABOUT

Relocations: polyphony and identity, is a site-specific, multimedia work inspired by the history, the architecture, the lively spiritual atmosphere of etz hayyim, and its interaction with the region of chania. It is an amalgam of processed field recordings and images from the region of Chania and Etz Hayyim, combined in audiovisual installations along with period musical INSTRUMENTS AND voices in the various spaces of Etz Hayyim. THis work explores – in the light of a contemporary artistic perspective – the issue of identity within a heterogeneous community, raises questions, and contributes to the dialogue about the connection of Etz Hayyim with the cultural, and natural environment of the island over the centuries, until today, after its restoration and reopening in 1999. The piece is about relocations, immigration, AND integration, and in which way these form and deform our identity.

PROGRAM

SIX VARIATIONS ON SHALOM ALEICHEM – NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

Giorgos Samoilis - solo violin

Shalom Aleichem (Peace upon you) is a traditional Jewish song signalling the arrival of Shabbat and welcoming the angels. The version of the melody used as the theme in the Six Variations on Shalom Aleichem was composed in 1918 by I. Goldfarb. Within the form of theme and variations. Six Variations on Shalom Aleichem is a reflection on the constant process of establishing an identity and seeking ways of coexistence within an ever-changing world. It is inspired by the history and the vibrant spiritual atmosphere of Etz Hayyim.
Etz Hayyim is the only remaining Synagogue in Crete, a testament to a rich Cretan Jewish heritage that lasted for over 2000 years, and which almost ended abruptly in 1944 during the German Occupation. It was restored and rededicated in 1999.

SHALOM ALEICHEM – ISRAEL GOLDFARB (1879 – 1967) ARR. BY YAEL LEVY & NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

Cantilena Choir

TWO TREES – YAEL LEVY & NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

Giorgos Samoilis (vln), Katerina Orfanoudaki (hpsch), Nikos Kokolakis (el), Yael Levy (video), Cantilena Choir

Inspired by the name of the synagogue “Etz Hayyim” (tree of life) and by the ancient trees of Chania district, the piece “Two trees” is ABOUT the idea of integration and laying roots. The old trees are TAKING THE PLACE OF the old buildings, cultures, communities and centers – how they morphED through the years? Some are standing solid in the ground, some are growing open, some are reaching far out, some are staying close to themselves. Some are coved, some exposed. Some are standing in the field alone and some surrounded by others. All different – all belong.

INTERLUDE – YAEL LEVY & NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

Giorgos Samoilis (Vln), Katerina Orfanoudaki (hpsch)

AL NAHAROT BAVEL – SALAMONE ROSSI (1570 – 1630)

Cantilena Choir

BY THE WATER – YAEL LEVY & NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

GIORGOS SAMOILIS (VLN), KATERINA ORFANOUDAKI (HPSCH), NIKOS KOKOLAKIS (EL), YAEL LEVY (VIDEO), CANTILENA CHOIR

“How shall we sing ThE LORD’S song in a foreign land?“

Inspired by the Renaissance composer Salomon Rossi and his piece “by the river of Babylon”, and by baroque musical ideas, we ARE focusing on the idea of relocation/immigration. How can we be ourselves in a foreign land? How do we react to our environment? How do we express our existence in a new place?

TEXTS

SHALOM ALEICHEM – LITURGY

שָׁ לֹום עֲלֵיכֶם מַ לְ אֲכֵי הַ שָׁ רֵ ת מַ לְ אֲכֵ י עֶ לְ יֹון מִ מֶ לְֶך מַ לְ כֵ י הַ מְ לָׁכִ ים הַ קָׁ דֹוש בָׁ רּוְך הּוא . בֹואֲכֶם לְ שָׁ לֹום מַ לְ אֲכֵי הַ שָׁ לֹום מַ לְ אֲכֵי עֶ לְ יֹון מִ מֶ לְֶך מַ לְ כֵ י הַ מְ לָׁכִ ים הַ קָׁ דֹוש בָׁ רּוְך הּוא . בָׁ רְ כּונִ י לְ שָׁ לֹום מַ לְ אֲכֵי הַ שָׁ לֹום מַ לְ אֲכֵי עֶ לְ יֹון מִ מֶ לְֶך מַ לְ כֵי הַ מְ לָׁכִ ים הַ קָׁ דֹוש בָׁ רּוְך הּוא . צֵ אתְ כֶם לְ שָׁ לֹום מַ לְ אֲכֵ י הַ שָׁ לֹום מַ לְ אֲכֵ י עֶ ל יֹון מִ מֶ לְֶך מַ לְ כֵי הַ מְ לָׁכִ ים הַ קָׁ דֹוש בָׁ רּוְך הּוא.

Ειρήνη σε σας, διακονούντες άγγελοι, αγγελιαφόροι του Υψίστου, σταλμένοι από τον Βασιλιά των Βασιλέων, τον Άγιο, Ευλογημένος να είναι Αυτός. Ελάτε ειρηνικά, αγγελιαφόροι ειρήνης, αγγελιαφόροι του Υψίστου, σταλμένοι από τον Βασιλιά των Βασιλέων, τον Άγιο, Ευλογημένος να είναι Αυτός. Ευλογήστε μας με ειρήνη, αγγελιαφόροι της ειρήνης, αγγελιαφόροι του Υψίστου, σταλμένοι από τον Βασιλιά των Βασιλέων, τον Άγιο, Ευλογημένος να είναι Αυτός. Πηγαίνετε εν ειρήνη, αγγελιοφόροι ειρήνης, αγγελιαφόροι του Υψίστου, σταλμένοι από τον Βασιλιά των Βασιλέων, τον Άγιο, Ευλογημένος να είναι Αυτός.

Peace be with you, ministering angels, messengers of the Highest, sent by the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He. Come in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Highest, sent by the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He. Bless me with peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Highest, sent by the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He. Go in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Highest, sent by the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed be He.

TWO TREES – ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ 2:9

וְעץ הַ חַ יִ ים בְ תֹוְך הַ גָׁן וְעֵ ץ הַ דַ עַ ת טֹוב וָׁרָׁ ע

και το δέντρο της ζωής στο μέσον του παραδείσου, και το δέντρο της γνώσης του καλού και του κακού.

and the tree of life in the middle of paradise, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

AL NAHAROT BAVEL – ΨΑΛΜΟΣ 137

עַ ל נַהֲ רֹות, בָׁ בֶ ל — שָׁ ם יָׁשַ בְ נּו, גַם – בָׁ כִ ינּו: בְ זָׁכְ רֵ נּו, אֶ ת -צִ יֹון. עַ ל- עֲרָׁ בִ ים בְ תֹוכָׁ ה — תָׁ לִ ינּו, כִ נֹּרֹותֵ ינּו. כִ י שָׁ ם שְ אֵ לּונּו שֹובֵ ינּו, דִ בְ רֵ י -שִ יר– וְתֹולָׁלֵינּו שִ מְ חָׁ ה: שִ ירּו לָׁנּו, מִ שִ יר צִ יֹון. אֵ יְך — נָׁשִ יר אֶ ת- שִ יר -יְהוָׁה: עַ ל, אַ דְ מַ ת נֵכָׁר

Ἐπὶ τῶν ποταμῶν Βαβυλῶνος, ἐκεῖ ἐκαθίσαμεν καὶ ἐκλαύσαμεν, ὅτε ἐνεθυμήθημεν τὴν Σιών. Ἐπὶ τὰς ἰτέας ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ἐκρεμάσαμεν τὰς κιθάρας ἡμῶν. Διότι οἱ αἰχμαλωτίσαντες ἡμᾶς ἐκεῖ ἐζήτησαν παρ᾿ ἡμῶν λόγους ασμάτων· καὶ οἱ ἐρημώσαντες ἡμᾶς ὕμνον, λέγοντες, Ψάλατε εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐκ τῶν ᾠδῶν τῆς Σιών. Πῶς νὰ ψάλωμεν τὴν ᾠδήν τοῦ Κυρίου ἐπὶ ξένης γῆς.

By the waters of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the willows we hung up our lyres, for there our captors asked us for songs and our tormentors mirth; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?

BIOS

NIKOS KOKOLAKIS

NIKOS KOKOLAKIS (1981GR) STUDIED PHYSICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CRETE, MUSIC COMPOSITION AT THE IONIAN UNIVERSITY FROM WHERE HE GRADUATED WITH DISTINCTION AND AT THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK WITHin the ERASMUS SCHOLARSHIP. He obtained his Master’s degree in Composition from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague with Peter Adriaansz, Yannis Kyriakides and Raviv Ganchrow with the thesis “Spatial awareness in instrumental music: Transformation of attention in a situation, becoming musical structure”.

he is involved in interdisciplinary artistic approaches and is an active member of various artists initiatives. Yael levy and nikos are the founders of the Catchpenny Ensemble, based in The Hague since 2015, which combines acoustic and electronic instruments, along with video-art, cinema and audiovisual elements, and presents works in important new music venues in the Netherlands.

His music has been performed in important venues and festivals in Europe and abroad by various distinguished ensembles or solo musicians. In 2016 he won the first prize at Composition Concours as part of the international percussion competition TROMP for the piece Stream for Marimba, and in 2015 the second prize at the International Carillon Composition Competition in Zwolle for Squarcle for Carillon. IN 2018, his pieceBagatelles for carillon was selected to be performed on the 100th anniversary of the Dutch carillon society.

he has attended many training seminars and has been actively involved in the education of contemporary artistic trends for vulnerable social groups in refugee camps through the non profit organization Stichting de Vrolijkheid, from 2016 to 2021.

YAEL LEVY

Yael Levy (1983 IL) is a composer, performer, visual artist, and educator. In her works she explores new models that emerge from the combination of musical composition, visual art, PERFORMANCE ART and theater. She collaborates with different ensembles and solo artists and presents her works in various venues and festivals across Europe. sHe studied composition in Israel with Dr. Hagar Kadima and completed his bachelor’s degree in Music education and choir conducting at Levinsky College of Education in Tel Aviv. sHe then obtained a degree in composition, with Gilius van Bergeijk and Yannis Kyriakides, and obtained a master’s degree in music composition with Yannis Kyriakides and Justin Bennett at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague (2011-2016).

Levy is active in many creative groups she founded with her colleagues, such as the Yael Levy & Nikos Kokolakis Duo which is a duo of composers-performers with the composer Nikos Kokolakis, the Catchpenny Ensemble, which focuses on multimedia works and collective composition, and the Ta-Ta-Tone which focuses on concerts and workshops of contemporary music and art for children.

Education is a big part of her practice. Levy is in charge of her own creative workshop for children – “music and art circle”, composes and plays for children and delivers creative weekly lessons and seminars for multimedia composition at the Center for Gifted and Excellence Ashkelon.

GIORGOS SAMOILIS

Giorgos Samoilis was born in Athens in 1986 and comes from a musical family. He started violin lessons at the age of seven at the Athens Music Society Conservatory with teacher Mirela Papa. In 1997 he moved to Thessaloniki where he continued his musical studies at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki and the Contemporary Conservatory with Dimitris Chandrakis and Mikis Michaelidis respectively, obtaining in 2006 a diploma in violin with an excellent grade and a special award for excellent performance. Until 2009 he continued his studies in Vienna taking classes with Regina Brandstaetter and Sylvia Viertel. After meeting Simos Papanas, he studied baroque violin with him and in 2010 he continued his studies in baroque violin and baroque viola at the Music Academy of Utrecht in the Netherlands with professor Antoinette Lohmann from where he obtained his diploma in 2014 and his master’s degree in 2016. Giorgos Samoilis has collaborated with well-known orchestras and chamber music ensembles such as Holland Baroque Society, Musica Poetica Furus musicus, La Sfera Armoniosa, concerto d’ Amstertdam, prjct Amsterdam, Barokopera Amsterdam, Armonia Atenea, Latinitas Nostra. AS A SOLOIST AND MEMBER OF ENsembles, HE HAS GIVEN MANY CONCERTS IN GREECE, ITALY, AUSTRIA, GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, NORWAY, AND FRANCE.

KATERINA ORFANOUDAKI

Katerina was born in 1996 in Chania, Crete. She began her musical studies in piano and advanced music theory at the Chania Conservatory “I. Manioudakis” with Professor I. Kastrinakis. She graduated from the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University majoring in Early Music and specializing in harpsichord, with Katerina Michopoulou as teacher and since 2018 she is in the harpsichord class of Menno van Delft and Kris Verhelst at the Amsterdam Conservatory. There she acquired a great interest in contemporary musical performance and its applications on the harpsichord and is about to start her master’s degree in the direction of Contemporary Harpsichord with professor Goska Isphording. At the same time, he is attending a postgraduate study program at the University of Amsterdam, specializing in the cognitive sciences around music (Music Cognition). He has given concerts with early and modern music ensembles in Greece and the Netherlands and has been a member of the Symphony Orchestra of the Ionian University, the Sweelinck Baroque Orchestra of the Amsterdam Conservatory, as well as collaborated with groups such as Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam. In 2019 he participated in the Paxos Festival in a concert with Erik Bosgraaf and in May 2018 he took part in Dimitra Trypani’s musical performance, “Oi Didymanes”, at the Alternative Lyric Stage at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Finally, he is a founding member of the baroque musical forms XIMAIPA Ensemble and Kairós Ensemble. He has attended seminars with Peter Seymour, Pierre Hantai, Elam Rotem, Fred Jacobs, Peter van Heyghen, etc.

CANTILENA CHOIR

The Cantilena Vocal Ensemble of Chania was created by Giorgos Kaloutsis in 1997 following the desire of many members of the choir of the Conservatory Yiannis Bouchalakis. He has a strong presence in the music movement of Chania with performances all over Crete and Athens. It began its activity as a Vocal Ensemble with 12 to 13 members and exclusively performing Renaissance unaccompanied music. Since 2006, the group has grown both in volume and repertoire, embracing more modern music, not always unaccompanied. Since 2017, it has been under the auspices of the Lyceum of Greek Women (ΛΥΚΕΙΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΔΩΝ) of Chania.

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project was funded by the Region of Crete, the Municipality of Chania and the Cultural Organization of Chania Municipality – Center for Mediterranean Architecture as part of the program ΑνοιχτA ΠανιA (Full Sails).

WE WOULD LIKE TO WARMLY THANK VASSILIKI YAKOUMAKI, ANJA ZÜCKMANTEL, AND THE SYNAGOGUE ETZ HAYYIM FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SPACE, THE WARM WELCOME AND HOSPITALITY, AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL HELP, AS WELL AS ΛΥΚΕΙΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΔΩΝ FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF THE REHEARSAL SPACE.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ANJA ZÜCKMANTEL, ALEXANDRA ARIOTTI, BESNIK SEITI, THEO WIHRHEIM, AND FLORA GUERTH FOR ALL THE HELP DURING THE WEEK OF THE WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES!

GALLERY

INSTALLATIONS

^MIKVEH