Psarantonis is a performer who plays as he feels. No two performances are ever the same, the artist choosing to feel his way through each song. Each new performance sees the virtuoso create a new spectacle, a new song; he chooses to improvise rather than be confined by the structure of his notes and in this way has transformed the Cretan lyra.
He was 13-years-old when he first began playing and now in his 70s still continues to explore traditions and culture through music. In an interview with Neos Kosmos this year, the artist said: “Music is the pulse. The pulse, the rhythm begets us and eats us too.
“The rhythm is in the air, otherwise it doesn’t exist. Even the sea has rhythm, otherwise everything is dead. That’s life. Nature is alive; with the rhythm of nature allowing everything to flow.”
His children followed his musical path but his grandchildren followed suit and I tell him this. The children of George Xylouris – Antonis, Nikos and Apollonia – and Psarantonis’ grandchildren, although born in Australia – play alongside their grandfather. His grandchildren – who spent their formative years in Crete – were “charmed” by the traditions and music of the inspirational island and Psarantonis knew they would follow with the family’s musical suit.
Psarantonis plays WOMADelaide March 8-11 with his son George and Dirty Three drummer Jim White, for more information and tickets visit www.womadelaide.com.au/. Psarantonis is also playing Golden Plains Festival on Saturday 9 March, for more information and tickets visit goldenplains.com.au