Mathios Balabanis

[1912-1987]. Self-taught musician, born in Istanbul. He played the goblet drum, the daouli (davul), and all the traditional percussion instruments.

He participated in the recordings of more than ten thousand songs, and took part in more than a thousand musical programs and events. He died in 1987.

Asia Minor Smyrna, Baindiri Couplets Love Song

Aman Gel Aman

Αμάν γκελ αμάν

Thessaly Magnesia, Keramidi Historical Song, National Legends and Laments

Amidst Three Seas

Ανάμεσα τρεις θάλασσες

Sporades Skiathos Ritual Song, Fable Song (Ballad)

Arta’s Βridge

A team of forty stonemasons and sixty prentice workers were putting up a bridge across the river close by Arta. The whole d...

Asia Minor Erythraea, Alatsata Couplets Love Song, Love Song

Ballos from Alatsata

Αλατσατιανός μπάλος Start, sweet tongue of mine, and remember, my lips, And you poor heart, tell what you know. Of songs and commendations I ...

Asia Minor Smyrna Instrumental

Ballos from Smyrna

Σμυρναίικος μπάλος

Cappadocia / Konya Konya, Sille Instrumental

Dance (With Wooden Spoons)

Χορός κουταλιών

Thrace Love Song

Down at Rhodes

Κάτου στα Ρόδα

Fable Song (Ballad)

Down on the Sandy Beach

Κάτω στο γιαλό

Constantinople Couplets Love Song

Farewell Holy One

Έχε γεια Παναγιά In Galatá a shower falls, a downpour in Tatávla. The loveliest of all the girls is she who's dressed in black. It was nothi...

Macedonia Chalkidiki, Ierissos Ritual Song, Fable Song (Ballad)

Forty Five Craftsmen (Arta’s Βridge)

Σαράντα πέντε μάστοροι

Cyclades Naxos Couplets Love Song

From Your Sweet Eyes

Από τα γλυκά σου μάτια

Asia Minor Makri - Levissi Couplets | Processional Tune Love Song

I Come and You Are Asleep

I come and you are asleep amid the white jasmine, wake up wherever you might live and be, my bushy lemon tree. My partridge...

Eastern Aegean Lesvos Couplets Love Song

In Smyrna, in the Armenian Quarter

Στη Σμύρνη μες στην Αρμενιά

Propontis Marmara Love Song

Karsilamas dance from Marmara

May this Bállos last, last until morning that the girls may dance with their mates! Ah, my barber boy, come, embrace my ne...

Thrace Table Song | Instrumental

Kostantis

Ο Κωνσταντής

Thrace Couplets Love Song, Spring Song

May

Λεν ήρθι Μάης κι Άνοιξη May's come, May's come and spring, summer’s come when the perfumed roses bloom. I've a white rose I want to dye and if I...

Macedonia Chalkidiki, Ierissos Love Song, Wedding Song

My Love Is to Wed

Η αγάπη μου παντρεύεται My love is to wed and marry my rival, but it’s not that that pains me so, it pains me that she's asked me to be their best ...