Ancient Greek mythology mediated by Latin culture: On Vlastimir Trajković’s arion and Zephyrus returns
Ancient Greek mythology mediated by Latin culture: On Vlastimir Trajković’s arion and Zephyrus returns

Summary/Abstract: Vlastimir Trajković (b. 1947) is a prominent Serbian composer with a strong inclination towards subjects from ancient Greek mythology. Among his most important achievements may be counted Arion – le nuove musiche per chitarra ed archi (1979) and Zephyrus Returns for fl ute, violin and piano (2003). Two important aspects of those works are discussed in the present article: 1. the line that connects them to ancient Greek culture via French Modernism (Debussy, Ravel, Messiaen) and Renaissance poetry and music (Petrarch, Caccini, Monteverdi); 2. modality, which has proved its vitality through long periods of the history of European music, beginning with ancient Greek modes, reaching its high point in the 16th century, and re-emerging at the beginning of the 20th century in different hybrid forms. Trajković is seen as a composer who has shaped his creative identity by exploring the rich musical heritage of the Latin European nations, especially the contributions of Debussy and Ravel.

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