Margaritis Kastellis


Margaritis Kastellis was a Greek composer and army officer known for his work in military music. His arrangement and adaptation of the Hymn to Liberty for military band is still played Greece today. He was born in Chrysoupoli and died in Athens.

Life and career

Kastellis studied under Manolis Kalomiris. He joined the Greek Army at an early age, as a musician, and upon completion of a full career, he left with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, having served as Chief Inspector of Military Bands nationwide. After retiring in 1963, he taught for several years at the National Conservatoire. He was an authority on wind instruments.

Style

The main features of his music are:
  • A profound attachment to popular musical tradition.
  • A marked preference for "freer" form of composition over more "formal" ones, though he was by no means unfamiliar with the latter.
A large part of his scores are to be found at the Thessaloniki University Library, along with a 2002 thesis Christina Anastassiou.

Selected works

Compositions

For orchestra
  • Introduction and Round Dance from Epirus
  • Prelude and Dance from Epirus
  • Greek Dances
For military band
  • Introduction and Round Dance from Epirus
  • On the Mountain Slopes of Zagori
  • The Booted Eagle
  • Thessaly
Chamber music
  • Little Suite for clarinet and bassoon
  • Elegy for two clarinets
Piano music
  • Greek Dances
  • Little Greek Suite
Songs

Arrangements and transcriptions

For Orchestra
For Military Band