Testimonials
Alkis Baltas
It gives me great pleasure to see that the artistic quality of some Greek choirs is at a very good level. Through posts on the internet, I have been following for some time now the activities of the choir “Phonodia,” which has even honored me by including some of my own works in its repertoire. The choir features beautiful young voices that sing with accuracy and musicality. Its singing is characterized by vocal homogeneity, and the articulation of the text is clear. It is evident that the capable conductor, Ioannis Idomeneos, teaches the works with seriousness and guides the young choristers towards performances marked by musical ethos, free of exaggerations, and with an understanding of each work’s deeper content. It is also clear that the members of the choir truly love choral singing and approach their participation in the ensemble with great dedication. I find it particularly important that “Phonodia” often engages with the presentation of significant and demanding works of the choral repertoire from various periods, and does not limit itself — as unfortunately is often the case with many other Greek choirs — to the choral rendition of non-classical commercial songs. Along with my congratulations, I send the choristers and their conductor my very best wishes for continued success in their wonderful work.
Alkis Baltas
Conductor – Composer
Antonis Kontogeorgiou
I try to emphasize a few things — hoping to offer something useful to our choral world. And I underline them at every opportunity: Trust the children and their love for choral music. Do not underestimate their abilities. They are not mentally deficient beings — they possess far greater capacities than we tend to suspect. Don’t burden them with the mimicry of nonsense, or with spineless, short-lived sensationalism. Help them — and help the audience that watches them. Children need this; the country needs this. We must respect the children and the parents who entrust them to us — not to lead them astray aesthetically, but to contribute to what Christos Yannaras persistently and rightfully advocates as their “per capita cultivation.”
And suddenly, as if by miracle, this very idea is being realized and supported by the [choir] under the direction of Yiannis Idomeneos. With excerpts from one of the most emblematic, demanding, and significant works of the international repertoire — the Mass in B minor by J. S. Bach. The five-part (SSATB) opening Kyrie eleison […] is rendered with such sensitivity by a youth choir which Yiannis took on only five years ago. In this short span of time, the choir has made tremendous progress — now capable of interpreting works of such depth and stylistic precision, such as those of the Baroque period, and especially the masterpieces of the towering Johann Sebastian Bach.
A heartfelt bravo to all the wonderful young people who worked so hard; to the exceptional Yiannis Idomeneos, who inspires them tirelessly […] and to my dear friend Miltos Logiadis, who supports them actively and with genuine care.
A choir progresses only when it constantly confronts — and overcomes — ever higher goals, both technical and aesthetic. And I am delighted to see that this is precisely what [the choir], under the dear Yiannis Idomeneos, is accomplishing.
Everything else is for those of us who prefer to forget our mortality — in character, in life, and in taste.
And once again: BRAVO — warmly and wholeheartedly.
Antonis Kontogeorgiou – Choral Director of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT)
Miltos Logiadis
I had the pleasure of working with Ioannis Idomeneos as a soloist during our concerts with the Orchestra of Colours. He was always impeccably prepared, an outstanding collaborator, and a performer of great musicality.
I first came into contact with his work as a choir director four years ago. Since then, the progress of this choral group has been remarkable.
Ioannis Idomeneos, a deeply musical, unifying, and highly skilled artist — both in choral conducting and vocal technique — has created a high-quality choral ensemble, characterized by a genuine love for music.
It gives me great joy to see beacons like Ioannis Idomeneos, who create choral groups of such quality — true hubs of culture.
Miltos Logiadis
Conductor – Professor of Orchestral Conducting, Ionian University
Babis Kanas
A long time ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Ioannis Idomenéos in his capacity as a soloist. Throughout our many collaborations, I had the opportunity to appreciate not only his artistic gifts, but also the seriousness, respect, and above all the deep love with which he approaches music. Naturally, these qualities are equally evident in his work as a choir conductor and especially one working with children and young people.
With the conviction that, in the times we live in, teaching children to sing together in an organized way may be one of the few truly meaningful “political” acts still in our hands, I sincerely hope that he will continue for many years to carry out his work, inspiring and encouraging young people to persist in their efforts and to reach ever more remarkable achievements.
With wishes for joy, music, and strength,
Babis Kanas – Composer and Music Educator
Nikos Kypourgos
I found myself once again here in Heraklion, on the occasion of the concert with the choir of Yiannis Idomeneos — someone I have followed for a long time, and whom I now also consider a good friend. I had the opportunity to attend the rehearsals up close and witness both the high level of the choir and Yiannis’s outstanding work. Getting to know the young singers and speaking with them, I felt as if I, too, were a member of this group. It is a great honor for me that they approach my songs with such love and musical sensitivity. This wonderful choir deserves to be embraced and supported in every possible way. I hope we meet again very soon.
Nikos Kypourgos – Composer
