Kordax (or Cordax) has been a satirical and comic dance of ancient Greek comedy, sometimes also described as licentious, obscene and provocative. The word sounds also pretty similar to the term chorda (Latin) or khordé (Greek), which leads us into the world of musical instruments (e.g., quatuor à cordes). Therefore the composition is a satirical ballet conceived for string quartet, but also something more. The conventional separation of the triad musicians-dancers-audience is here dropped, leading the performers to theatrically merge the different roles. For example, are the players allowed to animatedly praise themselves after showcasing an insane virtuosity? 

The work has been conceived for and dedicated to the JACK Quartet.


Kordax, an eccentric ballet for string quartet (2024)

Daniele Di Virgilio is an Italian Berlin-based composer and perpetual researcher. Conceiving composition as a multi-disciplinary and social-oriented expression, his music is inspired by a theatrical imagination and by the interest in psychoanalysis.