Ancient Istanbul Tales

Because Emine Bostancı from Istanbul is artist-in-residence this year, a composition assignment was awarded to Ardashes Agoshian. Emine is a great admirer of this double bass player, conductor and composer from Armenia, who lives in the Netherlands.

Central to the new composition 'Ancient Istanbul Tales' is the city itself. Agoshian, whose work is performed in many countries, is uniquely able to tell the story of that thousands of years old city from an intrinsic connection, because of his origins. He opted for a relatively small line-up with both eastern and western tones. In addition to piano, vibraphone, bass clarinet and percussion, we hear the voice and lavta (lute) of Jawa Manla from Syria. She is known for Qasyoun, the trio she forms with her younger sister Shaza and percussionist Modar Salama. The most important role in this project, however, is of course reserved for Emine Bostancı, virtuoso player of the kemenche. Despite its modest size, this knee fiddle with its lilting sound plays an important role in Turkish music, both in the classical Ottoman repertoire and in folk music.

Line-up
Emine Bostancı – kemenche, Kretenzische lyra, vocals
Jawa Manla – lavta (luit), vocals
Ghaeth Almaghoot – bass clarinet
Franz von Chossy – piano
Konstantyn Napolov – vibraphone
Johannes Fend – double bass
Udo Demandt – percussion