Commissioned by percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, View From Olympus is one of Psathas's landmark works. This award-winning double concerto takes listeners on a journey through the world of Greek percussion styles and playing techniques. Its three movements feature an adapted transcription of improvised Greek violin music, a tender tribute to the composer's children, and a depiction of the legendary Mænads celebrating their god Dionysos with song, music and dance.
John Psathas is a New Zealand freelance composer and teacher who, at a relatively early stage in his career, has established an international profile and receives regular commissions from organisations both in New Zealand and overseas. His works are championed around the world by a growing number of leading international artists, one of the most consistent of whom has been the Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Initially making a name for himself as a composer of high-energy percussion music, more recently the composer has concentrated on a series of larger-scale concertante works. A major career highlight to date has been the commission to compose the ceremonial music for the opening and closing of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. In 2005 John Psathas was created an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to music.
