In April the newly formed chamber music project TratSik String Quartet held its debut performances in Nicosia, Paphos and Limassol, and now the quartet is gearing up to share its new-found sound with once again.
The TratSik String Quartet began when four young, talented composers (Andreas Papapetrou, Andys Skordis, Dimitris Tsoukas and Stavros Choplaros) were commissioned to compose new pieces for the four players of the string quartet on the basis of using and maintaining almost unaltered the folk-oriented nature of the melodic material of the Cypriot songs and dances from which they were inspired. They were also asked to feel free to explore and combine the simplicity of tradition with modern vocabulary, experimental extended performance techniques and the dynamic characteristics of the string quartet. This resulted in a kind of music that has a distinctive character.
The quartet is made up of George Hadjigeorgiou and Spyros Spyrou on violin, Nikolas Efthymiou on viola and Doros Zesimos on violoncello. The musicians and composers all deal with traditional music with appreciation while avoiding using the standardised way of approaching it.
The result of this unique project is an unexpected meeting of enjoyment for both Western art music and traditional Cypriot music lovers.
TratSik String Quartet Project
Live performance by the quartet. July 1. Old Vinegar House, 34 Genethliou Mitella Street, Limassol. 7pm. €10. Tel: 99-552978
