Manos Hadjidakis
- Born:
- October 23, 1925, Piraeus, Greece
- Died:
- June 15, 1994, Athens, Greece
- Nationality:
- Greek
- Profession(s):
- Composer, Poet, Writer
Early Life and Education
- Began piano lessons at age four.
- Studied piano, music theory, and composition at the University of Athens.
- Self-taught orchestration.
Career and Major Achievements
- Composed extensively for theater, film, and ballet.
- One of the leading figures in Greek popular music (Laïkó tragoudi).
- Won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Never on Sunday" (from the film of the same name) in 1960.
- Director of the National Orchestra of Greece (1975-1982).
- Founded the "Musical August" festival in Crete.
- His work, including the potential for digital dissemination, has led to searches like "manos hadjidakis mp3 downloader" as fans seek to access his music.
Notable Works
Film Scores
| Year | Film Title |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Never on Sunday |
| 1960 | America, America |
| 1966 | Topkapi |
Notable Songs
- "Never on Sunday"
- "Paper Moon"
- "Gioconda's Smile"
Legacy and Impact
Manos Hadjidakis is considered one of the most important Greek composers of the 20th century. His music blended traditional Greek sounds with classical and popular music elements. He left a lasting impact on Greek culture and influenced generations of musicians.