The Influence of Ancient Greek Music on Modern Folk Music in the Mediterranean
Common misconceptions often arise about the musical influences in the Mediterranean, with many non-Balkan Europeans assuming that Greek folk music sounds Middle Eastern. However, this perception is based on a misunderstanding of historical and musical influences. In reality, both Middle Eastern and Balkan music share a common ancestor: Ancient Greek music. This article explores the interconnectedness of these musical traditions and dispels the notion that Greek music is inherently Middle Eastern.
Shared Musical Heritage
Both Balkan and Middle Eastern music can trace their roots back to Ancient Greek music. The Ottoman Empire, often mistakenly credited for giving Greek music its sound, actually played a role in a mutual exchange of musical influences. Turkish and Greek music both contributed to each other, and the boundaries between the musical styles blur more than they separate.
In addition to Greece, traditional Southern Italian music and some Spanish/Portuguese music share a similar heritage. This common Mediterranean connection extends to dance forms, such as the tarantella dancers from Italy and sufi dancers from Turkey, who share strikingly similar movements. The Neapolitan singer Nino D'Angelo exemplifies this Mediterranean sound, giving listeners a taste of the region's rich musical traditions.
Modern Mediterranean Music
Many people are familiar with the song "Theldapoulas" by Rizos Armando, which is a perfect example of a piece that sounds Western and European in scale. In fact, a significant portion of Greek music is purely Western/European in style, especially from the southern regions of the country. The musical landscape of mainland Greece and the Aegean islands diverges from the perception of Middle Eastern influence.
Examples include traditional songs from various Greek regions, such as those from Crete, Epirus, and Thessaly. These songs share more in common with music from southwestern Europe and Italy than they do with Middle Eastern music. While modal scales are present in certain Greek songs, the pentatonic scale, common in western and central Greece, has more in common with Celtic, Hungarian, and East Asian music than Middle Eastern music.
Music of the Greeks in Asia Minor
It is important to note that not all Greeks lived in Europe. A significant portion of the Greek population lived in Asia Minor (modern-day Western Turkey) until 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The music of Asia Minor, as evidenced in the clip from that region, is indeed "Middle Eastern" in sound. These Greeks in Asia Minor retained their musical traditions and are a clear example of the Middle Eastern influence on Greek music.
Similarly, communities of Greeks lived in Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon. Music from these regions would naturally be different from the music of modern Greece but would still demonstrate Western influences due to the historical and cultural proximity to Europe.
Conclusion
The sound of Greek music is complex and diverse, influenced by a multitude of historical and regional factors. While specific parts of Greek music may sound Middle Eastern, it does not typify the entirety of Greek folk music. Modern Greek music, particularly that of the mainland and Aegean islands, shares more similarities with Western and Southern European music than with Middle Eastern music.
The variance in musical sounds can be attributed to the geographical and historical contexts of different Greek regions. The music of the Greeks in Asia Minor is a prime example of how the sound can take on Middle Eastern characteristics, reflecting the historical and cultural ties between these regions.
In conclusion, the diversity of musical influences in the Mediterranean region underscores the interconnection between different cultures and the shared heritage of Ancient Greek music. Further understanding of these influences can enrich our appreciation of the rich tapestry of folk music in the region.