Greek Music Express: Masters of the Greek clarinet: Tasos Halkias | 15 July 2025

Tasos Halkias was among the most celebrated performers of Greek music in general, having a vast repertoire and command of many styles, and the music of Epirus in particular. He was born in 1914 near Ioannina in northwestern Greece. His family consisted of musicians going back to the 19th century. Halkias attended primary school only, before dedicating his life and energy to music. He was still a little boy when a Roma tradesman passed by his house. “He had a clarinet that was dyed with what looked like tar, torn, and with its keys polished with sandpaper” he recalls. His mother gave the owner – following the excessive pressure exercised by her son – “six goats to take it”. And that was the start for the young musician from Epirus. “It was my toy and, even more, it was my love”.