23.07.2014
A joint concert by the Serbian and Greek Military Orchestras at the Central Military Club
In the course of the Summer Festival BELEF 2014, tonight, at the Grand Hall of the Central Military Club, a concert was held by the Brass Orchestra of the Greek Army and the Art Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence “Stanislav Binicki”. The orchestras were conducted by maestro Pavle Medakovic and Captain Mihael Ksasouris. Tonight’s art manifestation proved the unbreakable friendship between the two nations. Making the repertoire more modern with popular numbers was a decision made by both orchestras, so popular jazz, evergreen and ethno numbers were performed. Tonight’s one hour and a half long concert was divided into three parts – the first one: a performance by “Binicki” Ensemble, the second: a performance by the Greek Orchestra and the final, joint performance. Numerous audience enjoyed the compositions: “Concierto de Aranjuez”, “Tico, Tico”, “Blue Moon“, “Greece Medley”, “Soul Bossa Nova”, then “Zorba The Greek”, “Gla Ena Tango“, “Sing, Sing, Sing“, “Serbian South”, “Izgubilo Dance”, “March on the Drina”, and other.
The concert was attended by Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic, State Secretary Zoran Djordjevic, Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Serbia, representatives of the Embassy of Greece in Belgrade and numerous guests.According to the representative of the Brass Orchestra of the Greek Army major Ksenofon Spiropulos, music is “the language that brings people together, especially those with a similar tradition”, and is the reason why tonight’s concert was a great success. Conductor of “Binicki” Ensemble Pavle Medakovic said that, for a great concert, it is necessary that “the good musicians are recognized, as was the case tonight”.
The Brass Orchestra of the Greek Army continues the tradition of the first military orchestra formed in 1824 in Nafplio, when the Greek Tactical Army was also established. The orchestra had an important role in preserving national identity and lifting the troops’ moral during their combat in Nafplio, a port town in Peloponnese, where they fought for the independence from the Ottoman Empire.
After Belgrade, the orchestras will hold joint concerts in Novi Sad, tomorrow, and in Nis, on Friday.This year’s Festival, under the slogan of “A Sentimental Journey”, July 15 to August 15, will offer the audience various artistic programs at the Belgrade Republic Square, in front of the Servantes Institute, at the Flower Square, at the Culture Center – House of King Petar I in Senjak, in Barutana and at the Viktor Plateau on Kalemegdan. During the Festival, over 20 programs will be realized – mostly of classical music, jazz concerts, and theatre and student programs.
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