Menelaos Pallantios (1914 - 2012)

Pallantios was born in Piraeus on the 29th of January 1914. He studied piano and theory in the Piraeus and Athens Conservatoires. He continued his studies in Rome under the tutelage of Alfredo Casella. Following completion of his studies he returned to Piraeus, and became a professor first at the Piraeus Conservatoire, and then at the Athens Conservatoire, where he became its director in 1962. Since 1959 he also had been appointed director of the Athens Choir. Between 1964-1967 he served as the General Manager of the National Opera, and between 1974-1976 he served as Chairman of its Board of Directors. During that same period he was also the resident conductor of the National Theatre.

Pallantios composed many symphonic works, concerti, chamber music works, several songs, ballet music, incidental music to eight Greek tragedies, an oratorio, as well as film music for the Greek and American cinemas.

In 1969, Pallantios was elected into the Greek Academy, and in 1977 he became Secretary of the Academy. He also served as General Secretary in the Hellenic Composers Association. He has been the recipient of many national and international awards and honours, such as the Golden Cross of George the First, and the Paris City Medal, among many others.

Pallantios passed away on the 9th of August, 2012.