The music of Konitsa is unique, diverse, full of colours and styles that require skill from the musicians
who will perform it. Therefore, attempting a first penetration into the heart of this music, we identify in a traditional orchestra of Konitsa the following musical instruments: the clarinet, the violin, the lute, the accordion and the tambourine. The composition of an orchestra can consist on various combinations of the above instruments, as well as the presence of two clarinets or two lutes in the same orchestra, a particularity we don’t encounter in other parts of Epirus. The coexistence of two clarinets results in a very unique sound characterized by isons and prima sigonto playing, a signal a hallmark of the music of Konitsa. The clarinets usually are the soloist instruments, the violin either as a soloist either as an accompaniment instrument and the other instruments in an accompanying role. A very characteristic feature of the soloist instruments is that an instrument (clarinet) plays the main melody while the second one has a double role, playing either the same melody an octave below, or a similar melody but which ends up being the same as the first clarinet, or equal parts or small phrases that complete and fill out the melody this. Finally, the song is mainly polyphonic and usually the members of the orchestra sing together, without the existence of an individual singer.

Artists of the region

Some of the main representatives of this music are:

Clarinet: M. Panousakos, K. Chalkias, G. Chalkias, N. Filippidis, Th. Christopoulos, Alexiou Nikos-Panos.

Violin: M. Christopoulos, D. Christopoulos, S. Panousakos.

Lute: S. Gioulekas, P. Chalkias, C. Kavakos, A. Mallis, C. Halkias, Th. Katsotas.

Accordion: Th. Christopoulos, K. Filippidis, D. K. Chalkias.

Tambourine: R. Panousakos (Ritos), D. Chalkias, P. Nakos.

What is readily apparent at first glance are the relatives’ ties between the musicians. This testifies to the fact that music as a profession is also subject to the feudal way of thinking, since this music draws many elements in its mentality from past times, with different social and economic systems and perceptions. Characteristic of this of this approach is the family engagement in liberal professions. This phenomenon is observed in the area of Konitsa too, with most orchestras holding a brand same with the name of the musician’s family. E.g. the Halkiades orchestra, the Philippidis orchestra, etc. Of course, there can be other members in the same orchestra but the family name of the clarinettist is inextricably linked to the name of the orchestra.

Dances of the region

The dances that we will meet in the wider area of Konitsa are the following: Sirtos in two, Sirtos in three, Zagorisios, Tsamikos, Sirtos in 7-point rhythm.

However, there are also some special dances, which are independent, and we meet in other parts of Epirus too, such as kleftes, the papadia, the berati, the Siamantas, the Gaida, the bagpipe (single,double), etc. There are also dances that are found only in the wider area of Konitsa such as the Vlacha, the Padiotiko, the Gaida of Pyrsogianni.