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Selim Sesler, troubadour songs and an Alevi ceremony

World Routes World Routes in Istanbul

Moshe Morad visits Istanbul in search of traditional music. With a live session from gypsy clarinettist Selim Sesler, troubador songs and a recording of and Alevi ceremony.

Istanbul is a European Capital of Culture for 2010 and in the first of two programmes Moshe Morad goes in search of traditional music in this melting-pot of peoples and cultures. Including a live session at Badehane's bar with gypsy clarinettist Selim Sesler, troubadour songs recorded in one of the city's oldest hamams, and a rare recording of an Alevi ceremony. A minority branch of Shia Islam, the Alevis controversially believe in equality between men and women, and meet once a week for music and mass-wailing.
Istanbul is a rich and diverse meeting point for musicians in Turkey, and it's a city where you can find every type of Turkish traditional music represented. It's also a cross-roads between Europe and Asia, East and West. Moshe Morad explores this rich mix and records sessions with many of Turkey's top musicians – including one of the best clarinettists in the world (Selim Sesler), and Saz player Cengiz Ozkan. The music and the city are brought to life in a number of atmospheric settings such as the 15th Century bath-house Cemberlitas, an Alebi ceremony and the tiny bar called Badehane - in a quiet street away from the hustle and bustle of Taksim, it's where Selim Sesler has played every Wednesday night for nearly a decade. Moshe learns about some of Turkey's best-loved traditional instruments such as the kamanche and the saz, hears the stories behind the music, and finds out from the people who live there what Istanbul means to them. Is this vibrant city an island in Turkey, is it in Europe or Asia, and is it secular or religious?

Presented by Moshe Morad
Produced by James Parkin

Tel. 020 7765 4661
Fax. 020 7765 5052
e-mail world.routes@bbc.co.uk

Available now

1 hour

Last on

Sat 13 Feb 2010 15:00
Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 3

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Music and featured items

  • Turkish and gypsy music

    Turkish musician Omar Faruk Tekbilek describes the essences of Turkish music.

    Duration: 09:21

  • Music Played

    • Omar Faruk Tekbilek

      Istanbul

      • One Truth.
      • World Class 11309-2.

    • Selim Sesler & Ensemble

      Gypsy Medley

      • Recorded by the Â鶹ÊÓƵAV at Badehane’s Bar, Istanbul on 2nd December 2009.

  • Selim Sesler

    Selim Sesler discusses his career and reflects on the condition of the Roma people.

    Duration: 06:06

  • Music Played

    • Selim Sesler & Ensemble

      The Blue of the Sea

      • Recorded by the Â鶹ÊÓƵAV at Badehane’s Bar, Istanbul on 2nd December 2009.

  • Future of Gypsy music

    Moshe talkso to members of the Roma association about the future of Gypsy music.

    Duration: 08:35

  • Music Played

    • Selim Sesler & Ensemble

      Gypsy Medley

      • Recorded by the Â鶹ÊÓƵAV at Badehane’s Bar, Istanbul on 2nd December 2009.

  • Haman music and Cengiz Ozkan

    Moshe learns how people would socialise, sing and play instruments in a haman.

    Duration: 09:17

  • Music Played

    • Cengiz Özkan

      Improvised song in the style of Uzun Hava

      • Recorded by the Â鶹ÊÓƵAV at the Cemberlitas Haman, Istanbul on 7th December 2009.

  • Cengiz Ozkan and the Saz

    Cengiz Ozkan describes his style of playing the Saz.

    Duration: 08:55

  • Music Played

    • Cengiz Özkan

      Semah

      • Recorded by the Â鶹ÊÓƵAV at the Cemberlitas Haman, Istanbul on 7th December 2009.

  • Alevi ceremony and the saz

    Moshe talks about the Alevi and how the saz is central to the Alevi practice.

    Duration: 07:10

  • Music Played

    • Worshippers at Shakulu Dergahi in Merdivenkoy, Istanbul

      Alevi Ceremonial Chant # 1

      • Recorded by the Â鶹ÊÓƵAV, on location, on 6th December 2009.

  • Turkish Muslims and the Alevi

    Alp explains the relationship between the majority Muslims in Turkey and the Alevis.

    Duration: 04:51

  • Music Played

    • Worshippers at Shakulu Dergahi in Merdivenkoy, Istanbul

      Alevi Ceremonial Chant # 2

      • Recorded by the Â鶹ÊÓƵAV, on location, on 6th December 2009.

  • Riza Osku and perceptions of Istanbul

    Moshe and Riza Oksu discuss the contrasting perceptions of Istanbul.

    Duration: 05:17

  • Music Played

    • Marc Aryan

      Istanbul

      • ±õ²õ³Ù²¹²Ô²ú³Ü±ô’d²¹.
      • Artist Music ART110.

Broadcast

  • Sat 13 Feb 2010 15:00
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 3

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