On Holy Monday, April 6th, 2026, the “Yannis Mantakas” Choir of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki took part in the presentation of Stavros Kougioumtzis’ Easter oratorio “Hymns of Angels in Human Rhythms”, held at the Ceremony Hall of AUTh.
Composed between 1995 and 1997, the work is a unique creation that “sets to music, in a deeply personal way, texts from ecclesiastical hymns and psalms of the Holy Week, preserving elements of the Byzantine tradition while drawing on classical music as well as Greek art and popular song” (from the event program, commentary by Costas Tsougras). It is a contemplative popular oratorio of “strong dramatic character and profound emotional power,” described as a work that expresses “the deeper nature of the modern Greek soul.”
This year’s performance marked the first time the oratorio was presented by the Music Ensembles of AUTh.
For our choir, participating in such an important work of modern Greek musical creation was both an honor and a deeply meaningful artistic experience, in an evening filled with emotion and spiritual resonance.
Before the beginning of the concert, AUTh and the Department of Music Studies honored Aimilia Kougioumtzi for her contribution to music and to the work of Stavros Kougioumtzis.
Programme:
- Introduction
- God is the Lord
- Lord, I Have Cried unto You
- I Behold Your Bridal Chamber
- My Soul Magnifies the Lord
- Lord, You Have Been Our Refuge
- Lord of the Powers
- Axion Esti
- Behold, the Bridegroom Comes
- They Stripped Me of My Garments
- Today He Hangs Upon the Cross
- They Divided My Garments
- Your Resurrection, O Christ Savior
- Christos Anesti (Christ Is Risen)
Participants
AUTh Symphony Orchestra
Theodoros Papadimitriou, conductor
Andreas Karakotas, singer
Aimilia Chalkia, singer
Vasilis Spyropoulos, narration
“Yannis Mantakas” Choir of AUTh
Erifili Damianou, choir preparation
