A 1964 instrumental piece by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, written for the film "Zorba the Greek" and adapted from a traditional Cretan dance form.
Composition
Zorba’s Dance was composed by Mikis Theodorakis for the 1964 film “Zorba the Greek” directed by Michael Cacoyannis. The piece is loosely based on a traditional Cretan dance form known as syrtaki, an arrangement created for the film and accelerating progressively.
Recording
The original soundtrack recording uses bouzouki, accordion, and string instrumentation. Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates performed the choreographed dance in the film’s closing scene, which became one of the most-recognized sequences in 1960s European cinema.
Legacy
The piece has been recorded by hundreds of artists and arranged for orchestras, choirs, and folk groups worldwide. The syrtaki dance form, popularized by the film, became widely associated with Greek cultural identity abroad.