A portrait of Greek composer and songwriter Mikis Theodorakis, taken in Rome in 1973.

Celebrated Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, best known for composing the film scores for Zorba the Greek, Z, and Serpico, died in Athens on Thursday 2 September, he was 96.

Theodorakis composed over 1,000 works throughout his career, including seven symphonies, four operas, ballets and more than 1,000 songs.

On Monday 13 September Ross Hayes presented A Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis, programmed by Paul Cooke, a one-hour special celebrating the life and work of Mikis Theodorakis.

Stream on demand

Program items

Theodorakis, M. Cretan Concertino (2005, arr. Y. Samprovalakis).    Theodore Kerkezos, sax; Thessaloniki State SO/Myron Michailidis.
Naxos 8.557992 [10:44]

Theodorakis, M. A day in May; The train leaves at eight; I gave you rose-water to drink.    Agnes Baltsa, mezz; Kostas Papadopoulos, bouzouki; Athens Experimental O/Stavros Xarhakos.
DG 419 236-2 [13:42]

Theodorakis, M. Four Epitafios (c1939).    John Williams, gui.
Sony SMK 62266 [08:10]

Theodorakis, M. Adagio for solo flute, string orchestra and percussion (1964).    Kenneth Smith, fl; Philharmonia O/Charles Dutoit.
Decca 475 6130 [03:48]

Theodorakis, M. Excerpts from Zorbas suite-ballet.    Ioanna Forti, sop; Montreal Symphony Choir and O/Charles Dutoit.
Decca 475 6130 [15:20]