Composers

Dimitrie Kantemir was a Moldavian prince, son of Moldavian ruler Constantin Kantemir, and a polymath—scholar, historian, and philosopher. As part of his education in Moldavia, he received a classical Greek education under the Cretan monk Ieremias Kakavelas. During his years […]

Zaharya was a musician with both ecclesiastical and secular compositions, referenced in both Greek and Ottoman-Turkish sources. Although he composed church music, he is primarily remembered as a composer of secular music. Ottoman sources recognize him as the most significant non-Muslim composer of […]

Petros Peloponnesios, also known as Petros Lampadarios, was a leading figure in Byzantine chant. Born in the Peloponnese, he studied in Smyrna under Hieromonk Theodosios Chios before moving to Istanbul in the 1750s, where he became a student of the […]

A Rum from Silivri, possibly of Roma descent, Vasilakis is regarded as the greatest kemençe (lyra) virtuoso after Tanburi Cemil Bey. His first steps in music were on the clarinet, performing at festivals and celebrations accompanied by percussion. He later […]

Kemençeci Nikolaki was born and died in Istanbul. For years, he collaborated with Yiannis and Antonis Kyriazis (see Antonis Kyriazidis / Lavtacı Andon), performing with their ensemble at Antonis’ venue in Galata. Sources describe him as an exceptional kemençe (lyra) […]

Giorgos Batzanos was born in Istanbul into a family of distinguished musicians, possibly of Romani descent. His father, Haralambos (Lambo Efendi), was a laouto player, while his brother Alekos (Aleko) and his uncle Anastasios Leontaridis (Anastas) were both renowned kemençe […]