Music and choreography of the Greek folk dance syrtos in The Sea ballet by the composer Nikos Skalkottas

Abstract

One of the most famous Greek composers of the 20th century, Nikos Skalkottas (1904–1949), wrote many works using traditional Greek melodies in some of them. In the period from 1938 to 1949 he wrote 3 ballets. His most important ballet was the last one, which he wrote in the years 1948-1949, called The Sea («Η θάλασσα»), with the note «traditional ballet for large orchestra».

This ballet includes an introduction and 10 images. The libretto was written by the composer himself and describes the imaginary world inside and outside the Greek sea. The composer uses two traditional melodies based on the Greek dance syrtos; The first one is called I will love you and the second one is called The boat. He uses these two melodies throughout the entire work, each time comparing them, thus giving the musical Greek character throughout. The premiere took place in 1949, and was choreographed by the Greek choreographer Yvonne de Chirico. The choreography also refers to the traditional Greek dance syrtos.

Although the musical genre of ballet is not so widespread among the Greek composers of the 20th century, Skalkottas managed to leave a great legacy in Greek traditional ballet music through his ballet The Sea.