Gourzi, Konstantia

Gourzi, Konstantia

A Song for Peace op. 79

for violin & cello

Konstantia Gourzi
(born in Athens/Greece, 31 March 1962)

Konstantia Gourzi’s name often appears as composer as well as conductor in the announcements of her concerts. Her portfolio of compositions includes not only operas, film music and works for music theatre and orchestra, but also numerous solo pieces and chamber music. Konstantia Gourzi’s musical work is documented in detail through radio recordings, television broadcasts and live streams. Recordings of her extensive discography were released at ECM, NEOS, NAXOS and SONY Classical.

Composer’s notes

A song for peace
I. neighborhood
II. synapses
III. peace

A song for peace was written for Musicians4UnitedEurope, following a request by cellist Alban Gerhard. The short piece is a musical analogy to my preferred way of communication between people.
During the first short part neighborhood the cello presents his opinion on a topic and the violin answers with a variation of the theme in a soft tone. Each one is listening to the other one and answers it in his own words. The second short part, synapses, begins with a dialogue, during which the two players approach each other while playing the same theme alternately, and finally together. It is a musical agreement, which provides a sonic identity for each of the players. During the third, even shorter part peace, the players disengage themselves from one or the other opinion, and perform a kind of musical meditation – intense but relaxed. Now, the duo performs as if they were one single musician playing in peace, with respect and in balance.

A song for peace can be performed as an encore or in a programme between two longer pieces.

Konstantia Gourzi – A biographical essay > READ