Corfu, November 28 – The Corfu Philharmonic Society (F.E.K.) has announced a special concert to be held on November 30, 2025, at 8:00 PM at the Municipal Theatre of Corfu. The event will pay tribute to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss II, the renowned Austrian composer, and will also honor the significant contributions of the Corfiot composers Iosif and Spyridon Kaisaris.
A European Celebration of Dance Music
Europe is currently celebrating the bicentennial of Johann Strauss II, a leading figure in Austrian light music. The Corfu Philharmonic Society aims to highlight 19th-century European dance music through a program filled with polkas, mazurkas, marches, and other compositions by Strauss the Younger, as well as works by the Kaisaris brothers, who are considered his Corfiot equivalents.
Johann Strauss the Younger, son of the famous composer, bequeathed an invaluable musical legacy to Europe, establishing him internationally as the most important representative of dance music of his era. His waltzes, quadrilles, and operettas remain widely known and celebrated today.
The Corfiot Connection: The Kaisaris Brothers
Following in Strauss’s footsteps were two Corfiot musicians, students of the Old Philharmonic: the Kaisaris brothers. They distinguished themselves through their contributions to the development of the Greek music scene and culture at the turn of the 19th century. Their influence was particularly notable in military bands, where they served consistently in the Greek Army for decades and were honored for their service to military music.
Their marches, waltzes, and polkas became symbols of the Greek Belle Époque. Iosif Kaisaris, who was part of the musical circles of Nikolaos Mantzaros and Spyros Samaras, was dubbed “the Greek Johann Strauss.” Spyridon Kaisaris left a significant legacy through his reorganization and innovations within military bands.
It is worth noting that the musical archive of the Kaisaris brothers is preserved in the Historical Archive of the Old Philharmonic.
Concert Program and Participants
The concert on November 30, 2025, will feature several musical ensembles from the Corfu Philharmonic Society:
- Woodwinds: Directed by Dimitris Mandylas
- Brass: Directed by Spyros Kakarougas
- Percussion: Directed by Nikos Metallinos
The Philharmonic’s junior band will also participate. The soloist for the evening will be soprano Eva Kargiofylli, with an introduction by Iro Lella. The band will be conducted by chief conductor Spyros Prosoparis.
The event promises to be a rich musical experience, showcasing the historical connections between European and Greek musical traditions, and celebrating the enduring legacy of these influential composers.
Source: startmediacorfu.gr
