The book sets out to present the life of Mikis Theodorakis in ten chapters which shed light on the composer’s artistic and political path as they run thematically through his career. Its manuscripts, scores, letters, notes, photographs, posters and concert programmes provide an account of a life’s journey. Each chapter includes extensive photographic documentation and an illustrative text written by one of Theodorakis’ many great collaborators. Their voices – some reflective, some moving and deeply human – add a profoundly experiential dimension to the archive material. Τhe album is an exploration of Theodorakis’ dense and polyphonic world revealed through his personal archive.

As a gift to its readers, the album is accompanied by two unpublished audio documents from the Mikis Theodorakis Archive; they shed light on the composer’s special relationship with his parents – a deeply emotional bond that would profoundly shape his musical sensitivity and his multifaceted personality.