MM Concerts: Ancient Istanbul Tales
Because Emine Bostancı from Istanbul was artist-in-residence at Music Meeting 2023, a composition assignment was awarded to Ardashes Agoshian. Emine is a great admirer of this Istanbul Armenian double bass player, conductor and composer, 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.
