Mikis theodorakis

4. Midis (Michael) Theodorakis
Mikis (Michael) Theodorakis (Chios, July 29, 1925 -
Athens, September 2, 2021) was a Greek composer,
politician and Marxist revolutionary of Cretan and Asia
Minor origin. He is considered one of the most
important contemporary Greek composers and as one of
the most influential personalities in Greece in the
second half of the 20th century.

5. Mikis (Michael) Theodorakis
He had dealt with many types of music, while he had
composed perhaps the most recognizable Greek rhythm
internationally, Syrtaki for the film Zorba the Greek
(Zorba the Greek, 1964). He was also involved in classical
music, writing symphonies, oratorios, ballet, operas and
chamber music.

6. Mikis (Michael) Theodorakis
His compositions have been performed by world-renowned artists
such as the Beatles, Shirley Basei, Joan Baez and Edith Piaf, and he
has written music for well-known films such as Phaedra (1962),
Alexis Zorbas (1964), Z (1969) and Serpiko (1973).
In 1970, he was awarded the BAFTA Prize for Original Music for his
film Z, and was nominated in the same category in 1974 for State of
Siege, and in 1975 for Serpico. He was also nominated for a
Grammy in 1966 and in 1975 for the soundtrack to Zorbas and
Serpico respectively.

7. Mikis (Michael) Theodorakis
He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
His most important work is considered to be melodic poetry,
using as lyrics poems by award-winning poets of Greek and
foreign origin, such as Giannis Ritsos (Lenin Peace Prize
1976), George Seferis (Nobel Prize in Literature 1963), Pablo
Neruda (Nobel Prize 1971) Odysseas Elytis (Nobel Prize in
Literature 1979). He was a key voice against the Colonels'
junta, which imprisoned him and banned his songs.