Takis Morakis

Takis Morakis (Greek: Τάκης Μωράκης, Athens, 15 August 1916 - 26 October 1991) was a Greek composer, and husband of Nadia Konstantopoulou, for whom he had composed several songs. Morakis is one of the few composers who wrote so many successful and timeless songs of light music. Songs, which he performed uniquely with his violin and his excellent orchestrations in the decades, mainly in the 1950s and 1960s. He was born in Athens and began studying violin at the Hellenic Conservatory as a child. Later, he attended lessons in Paris and, upon returning to Greece, he adapted the folk song "Tsopanakos έναμα", which became the logo of Greek radio for many years. He made his first public appearance playing the violin in the orchestra of the “Oasis” center at Zappeion, but at the same time he also wrote songs for… others! In 1946 he began to sign his songs, which very soon became hits, while many remained immortal, such as “Irthes san tin tsinyssana”, “Gia sena anthizie í gi” and others. He then formed his own violin orchestra and since then he has been playing in secular centers, while writing songs and music for the theater, the inspection and the cinema. His musical career in cinema began with films by Finos Film, starting with “Golfo” by Orestis Laskos in 1955. In total, he wrote music and songs for more than 25 films, of which 10 were by Finos Film. The song "What Is This They Call Love" was performed by Sophia Loren and Tony Marouda in the American film "The Boy and the Dolphin" (1957) - the first foreign production to be filmed in Greece and which made Hydra known abroad - and became an international and timeless success. From 1961 onwards, the main performer of his songs was his wife and well-known singer, Nadia Konstantopoulou. His compositions were distinguished five times at the annual light song festivals of Thessaloniki (1960 - 1968), while the Municipality of Athens awarded him the first prize in 1962 for the song "Athens, People, Gods". He also won international distinctions with first prizes at the International Festival of Vincent, as well as at the Festival of Poland in 1964. With his orchestra and his wife, Nadia Konstantopoulou, they gave many successful concerts abroad, especially in the then Soviet Union. Takis Morakis had a rich discography with more than ten major albums. His son is the well-known jazz guitarist, Priamos Morakis.