Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9115-6660

Date Available

7-15-2024

Year of Publication

2024

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

College

Fine Arts

Department/School/Program

Music Performance

Advisor

Jason Dovel

Abstract

Dimitris Kafyris (Δημήτρης Κάφυρης, 1932–2020) is regarded as one of the most talented trumpeters of the twentieth century, within his native homeland of Greece. From the early 1950s into the mid-1980s, Kafyris performed with the Athens State Orchestra (Greece’s premier orchestral ensemble), the Greek Radio Symphony, and the National Opera. During this period, Kafyris also maintained a teaching position at the Hellenikon Conservatory (Ελληνικόν Ωδείον) in Athens. Following what many would already consider to be a robust career, Kafyris returned home to the Greek island of Corfu, where he assumed the roles of Bandmaster and Director of the Corfu Philharmonic Society in 1978–9. In this capacity, the artist became widely known as a pedagogue within the Greek civic band tradition, mentoring hundreds of students and community members. Kafyris would maintain this position until 2010, presenting concerts both nationally and abroad.

While Kafyris’s name is not widely recognized outside of Greece, his musical influence is known throughout Europe, particularly as a pedagogue. Today, Kafyris’s students are some of the leading performers and educators on the European continent. Additionally, his legacy and association with the civic wind ensembles of Corfu (similar to that of the British Brass Band tradition) are a significant example of the role that community ensembles can play in developing exceptional musicians. Throughout Kafyris’s noteworthy career as an orchestral trumpeter and pedagogue, he also presented the Greek premieres of several pieces in the solo trumpet repertoire and promoted new instrumental mediums such as the brass quintet. Much of this early activity laid a foundation for the development of new music by Greek composers for solo trumpet, brass chamber groups, and even wind band.

This project serves two purposes:

(1) First, to highlight the life, achievements, and pedagogy of a trumpeter whose profound influence has impacted numerous Greek brass players–and by extension, their respective musical networks; and

(2) Second, to document Kafyris’s modernization of trumpet performance within Greece, which laid a foundation for the expansion of stylistic demands, instrumentation, standard repertory, and new works for trumpet by Greek composers.

Field research for this project was conducted through visits to both Athens and Corfu, Greece, as well as through use of teleconference technologies (Zoom, WebEx, Facebook Messenger Video, etc.). Interviews and collection of oral histories were conducted with several former students, colleagues, and surviving family members of Kafyris. Finally, historical archives and private collections were visited in Greece whenever possible, to verify biographical data. Through these interviews, archival visits, and field research, much has been revealed which highlights the significance of Kafyris and his profound influence in the trumpet world.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.341

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