Guitarist and composer, born 1923 on Büyükada (the biggest of the Prince Islands of Istanbul), died 2005 in Athens.
He is the son of Ioannis Xanthopoulos (from Constantinople) and Catherine Moschovou (from Avdimi of East Thrace). Although he wanted to learn music since he was very young, he didn’t make it until he became 16 years old, due to various reasons (economic, environment). Then, he took - for almost three years - classical guitar lessons with the guitar teacher Andreas Paleologos (1911-1997), from Constantinople, who taught him a lot about the art and technique of the instrument. He stopped again to deal with music for five years, for various personal reasons, although he had become a capable soloist earning the admiration of his teacher. He returned to it in 1947, fully prepared and he gave, during the next two years, successful guitar recitals with works of Bach, Giuliani, Tárrega and his own (1948 and 1949) - for the first time before public - which were commented favorably by the Hellenic and Turkish press, as well as by the Philharmonic Society of Guitarists of London. This success was decisive for his final decision to devote himself to Music.
In 1950, he studied theory with Edgar Manas (1875-1964, Turkish composer of Armenian origin), composition with the also Turkish composer Cemal Rasit Rey (or Rasit el Abed, 1904-1985) and piano with the Austrian piano teacher, Ferdinand (Ferdi) von Statzer (1906-1974) at the Constantinople Conservatory (1950-1957). In 1952, he became organist at the Catholic Church of Sanctus Pacificus in his birthplace, where there was a harmonium with small pipes. He also worked as a guitar teacher at the Cultural Association of Prince. He began to compose already from the 40s. In 1960, his Sonata for two guitars and a transcription for guitar of Schumann’s song “Rundgesang” (No. 22 from the collection “Album für Jugend”) were puplished by the erstwhile Hladky publications in Vienna (with a list of works for plucked instruments), followed by the publication of the Prelude for Guitar in 1969, by Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzycne publications in Katowice, Poland. The same year, he composed the Sonata in E minor for violin and guitar (it was performed by him and the violinist Alexandros Palamidis, from Constantinople, in the hall of the Athletic Association of Peran, in 15/04/1976). Additionally, the tenor Leonidas Asteris and the pianist Popi Michailidou-Panagiotidou (mother of the known pianist Natalia Michailidou from Constantinople) interpreted two songs for voice and piano: a) “Enas geros” (An old man) in Cavafy's poetry and b) “Toxero” (I know it) in poetry by Simiriotis, during a concert at Zografeio Gymnasium of Constantinople on 04/04/1969. Among his appearances, the composer preferred the one at the Austrians’ Cultural Center in which he interpreted his work “Capriccio” for guitar and two pianos cooperating with Turkish pianists (1974). In 1977, he presented his symphonic poem “Arion” for two guitars and orchestra in transcription for two guitars and piano. His varied musical activity in Constantinople was focused on: a) his performances as guitarist, b) his duties as organist at the Sanctus Pacificus and c) his educational contribution as a classical guitar teacher (having more than 30students, mostly Turks). He also appeared as a guitarist in several literary and artistic concentrations in Constantinople, providing, from time to time, background music in recitations.
In 1979, he recorded, at the Radio Station of Costantinople, works of Bach and Sor that were broadcast several times. In 1981, he moved to Athens, where he continued dealing with music, trying to become famous, but without success. Besides the afore mentioned, he also composed 70 more works (1948-2000), most important of which are the: a) “Allegro” for 3 guitars, b) “3 melodies” for guitar, c) “Ftohi mouagapi” (My Poor Love) in poetry by Porfyras and “Lethe” (Oblivion) inpoetry by Mavilis for voice and orchestra, d) “Prelude”, “Aria”, “LittleScherzo” and “To trafoudi tis tavernas” (The song of the tavern) for piano, e) “I psyches ton geronton” (The souls of the elders) and “Tichi”(Walls) in Cavafy's poetry and “To tragoudi pou argise” (The late song)in lyrics by Simiriotis for choir, f) 11 songs (“Anadyomoun” [I was emerg-ing], “Otan me ide” [When she saw me], “Poly dialogistika” [I meditatedenough], “Apotherizontas” [Harvesting] and “Ola osa” [Everything that] in poetry by Vretakos, “Tote pou se ida na rxese” [When I saw you coming] and “Pie stou gialou” [drink at the shore] 'in poetry by Porfyras, “I agapes mou” [My loves] in Drosinis’ poetry, “Perases” [You passed by] and “Ihes pi” [You had said] in lyrics by Hatzopoulos, “Erotas taha” [Supposedly love] in poetry by Mirtiotissa) for voice and piano, g) 4 vocals (“proceeds” for voice, cello and piano, “My soul” for voice and string quartet and “your roaring” for voice, two clarinets, horn and bassoon in poetry by Vrettakos) and “More hard” for voice, 4 clarinets, two violas and two cellos in poetry by Polemis, and h) “Fantasy”for piano and orchestra. He also transcribed piano works of great composers for guitar (such as “Waltzes” op. 69 Nr. 1 and op. 70 Nr. 2 by Chopin, op. 12 Nr. 2 by Grieg). Finally, the following were published in Athens: the song “Pie stou gialou” (drink by the shore) and the issue with the “Prelude” and “3 melodies” for guitar.
(Rainer Stelle)