Tuesday 31 March 2009

Dr. Umit Mutlu - Interview

The Musicians and Music of the “Other Side” Part B’ Dr Umit Mutlu – The santouri in Turkey

When I was in Urla (40km from Izmir), Turkey in the summer of 2006 I have exchanged gifts with Muammer Ketencoglu (I talked to him about part A’ of “Lesvos Mas” No51 in Greece) and he gave me a CD that immediately took my attention from all the others. It was a CD with Turkish santour, with tunes, that had the same roots with Lesvos music. It was in fact music from the Ottoman period, with Zeybek, Karsilama, Sirtos, Longa tunes. When I listened, I thought about the old limbo and where all these brought up to! Αll instrumental tunes. It reminded me the CD of Dimitris Kofteros “Santouri of Mytilini”. When I asked a friend from Izmir to learn about the santour player, he offered me to go and meet him. We went to the Director of the Izmir Choir for Classical Turkish Music, Mr. Guner Ozkan, he called him up, but unfortunately he was busy with a Doctor Obstetrician, he wasn’t able to meet. Instead, this article interview was made through e-mail.
(This Interview was made in 2007 and previously published in the magazine of Lesvos "I Lesvos mas", also Dr Umit Mutlu with Derya Turkan did finaly give a concert in Lesvos July 2007)

Biography
He was born in Ankara in 1939. While he was a student at Istanbul Medicine Faculty during 1960, he took Turkish music lessons from Istanbul Municipality Conservatuary. In 1963, he attended to Classical Chorus after the invitation of Dr. Nevzad Atlig from Istanbul Radio Classical Chorus as a kanun player. Within the ensembly of Istanbul Radio he worked with Kemal Niyazi Seyhun (kemence), Cevdet Cagla (violin), Vehice Daryal (kanun), Niyazi Sayin(ney) and Sekip Ayhan Ozisik (ud). With the inspiration he got from Conservatuary artist Husnu Tuzuner he started to be interested in santur and he started to work with a santur that he brought from Iran. He developed a new accord system with Iran santur that is more appropriate to Turkish music by adding pins. He was well aware of the missing methods regarding to teach and to learn Turkish Music instruments so he published “Kanun methods” in 1985 that he worked on and developed for long years. The same work has been republished in 1998 with additional exercising technics and analysis. Umit Mutlu continued with music and his researchs on santur even when he was in Germany during 1975-1989 for his medicine carier. Since 1963 he has composed 39 songs. His “Yesil gozlerinden muhabbet kapt?m” song has been chosen as the song of the year thru public voting by Milliyet newspaper in 1975 and has been sang by 10 diffrent singers. Being the brother of singer Serap Mutlu Akbulut, Dr. Umit Mutlu has been working as kanun and santur player for Ministry of Culture Izmir Governmental Turkish Music Chorus since he returned back to Turkey in 1991, joining to concerts with his santur to perform examples from Turkish and worldwide music.


The group of Dr Umit Mutlu in the choir for Turkish instrumental music.

Interview with Dr Umit Mutlu
It is said that in Turkey the santouri is forgotten, what is the reason of this situation, and what is its current place?
When I began to play my first Iranian santour in 1967, there were two players whose name were well known. The chord system of their santours were almost the same to the Greek one's. Being constructed in this way these santours were not too suitable for playing Turkish tunes and therefore did not spread much. I adapted the system of the kanun (mandal) to the santour to overcome this problem. Since I have lived for quite a long time in Germany, unfortunately I did not have the possibility to introduce and spread this new type of santour. In 1989, when I returned to Turkey I began to develop this instrument. Being a member of the Izmir State Choir for Classical Turkish Music and further by performing on concerts I tried to introduce this instrument. Currently santours with the new chord system adapted by me, are being constructed in Istanbul and also been sold to the USA. I can not give a forecast on what kind of development this santour will go through after me, but during the past 15-20 years the number of santour players has increased.

Why have you chosen this musical instrument to expose your music instead of the kanun that is widedly spread in Turkey?
I decided to choose the santour as my instrument, because I liked its sound. In the beginning it was more a kind of curiosity and interest, which turned into a love towards this instrument. Further I am the only professional player among other santour players and I have dedicated myself for the continuation of it.

The tunes you have selected in your latest CD are very old and similiar to the music of Lesvos. Do people dance with this music, with Karsilama and Zeybek music in weddings, or festivals?
The tunes you've heard on the CD may seem very old to you, but actually these tunes are still current tunes played in Turkish Folk Music as well as in Turkish Classical Music. They are often played in folk music and people use to dance to these tunes, i.e. Zeybek, Karsilama etc., especially in the Aegean region.

You are a player of kanun and have written a method for it, have you use any techniques of the kanun in your santouri playing?
Though there are similarities between the kanun and the santour in respect to the body, the chord systems are different. The playing technique for the santour is also different, but I also use the kanun technique sometimes, which gives a different tune compared to the classical santour playing style.

What are the differences between the Turkish and the Greek Santouri?
As you may already have seen on my website, until the adaptation of the new manual chord system, a different chord and string system has been used. With the help of these mandals intertunes used in Turkish music, can be fully played like it is with the kanun. As far as I know the Greek santour is used with a chord system of half tones. This is why there is a difference of tunes between the Turkish and the Greek santour. If we have the possibility to meet in Lesvos, I'll be glad to show and explain you the system in detail.

If you would get an invitation, would you play In Lesvos Island?
We will be glad to introduce our music and the Turkish Santour, if you decide to organize a meeting and send us an invitation. We will be able to come with the same group, which is noted on the CD, i.e. Kemence (Derya Turkan), Santour (Umit Mutlu) rhythm (Mehmet Gultekin- KAF Music Producer). We also might bring our CD including with the introduction for the people who are interested. The Director of the Izmir Choir for Classical Turkish Music, Mr.Guner Ozkan, has a collection of historical Turkish instrument. Maybe a part of this collection can be exhibited on Lesvos in case of interest. Further I will also have the chance to examine the Greek santour, during our stay at Lesvos.

The website of Dr Mutlu: http://www.turksanturu.com/


The National Choir for classical Turkish music of Izmir. This choir is the second biggest choir for classical Turkish music of Turkey. This choir performs classical as well as modern pieces. Dr Umit Mutlu retired from the Choir in August 2004.

The last concert of Dr Mutlu with the choir which was held in antique theater in Ephesos in summer 2004.

Farhetin Yarkin (percussion), Dr Mutlu (santur), Derya Turkan (Kemence) from the concert given in Gera Perama Lesvos, summer 2007.

Monday 30 March 2009

The Diary of Balat - Serap Caglayan, Mahinur Ozustun


Title: The Diary of Balat
Artist: Serap Caglayan, Mahinur Ozustun
Also featured artists, Cengiz Onural, Murat Aydemir
Year: 2004
Production: Melodiko Karavi www.melkmar.gr
Description: A Turkish recording of Constantinople, that is published in Greece

Tracks
01. To imerologio tou Balata [The Diary of Balatas]– C. Onural
02. Arsanas tou Balata [Balatas Harbour] – M. Aydemir
03. Smirneika sokakia [Smyrnan Alleys]– Aydemir & Onural
04. Smyrneikoi kipoi [Smyrnan Gardens]- M. Aydemir
05. Sultani Yegah Improvisation – Caglayan Ozostun
06. Sultani Yegah Medhal – Kemal Emin Bara Sample
07. Sultani Yegah Instrumental Suite – Nedim Aga
08. Smyrna Longa – M. Aydemir
09. Smyrneiko deilino [Smyrnan Afternoon] – C. Onural
10. To scholiko koudouni tou Balata [The Balata School Bell] – C. Onural
11. Suzinak Introduction (Peshrev) – Thaddeus Avthentis
12. Suzinak Improvisation – Caglayan Ozostun
13. Suzinak Instrumental Suite –Thaddeus Avthentis
14. Kyriaki sto Balata [Sunday in Balata] – C. Onural

Sunday 29 March 2009

Nazim Hikmet - Poems of 9-10 am




Book Title: Poems of 9-10 am
Greek Title: Τα ποιήματα των 9-10
Author: Nazim Hikmet
ISBN: Greek edition: 960-310-112--5
Language: Greek, Turkish
Year: Greek 2000
Publisher: Themelio http://www.themelio-ekdoseis.gr/
Translation: to Greek, Petros Markaris
Description: Poems of Nazim Hikmet, from his imprisonment in Bursa, Turkey (Prousa) in 1945

Poem 24 September 1945

Η πιο ωραία θάλασσα:
αυτή που ακόμη δεν ταξιδέψαμε.
Το πιο ωραίο παιδί:
ακόμη δε μεγάλωσε
Οι πιο ωραίες μέρες μας:
αυτές που ακόμη δεν ζήσαμε...
Κι ο πιό ωραίος λόγος που θέλω να σου πω:
αυτός που ακόμη δεν σου είπα...

En güzel deniz:
Henüz gidilmemiş olanıdır.
En güzel çocuk:
Henüz büyümedi.
En güzel günlerimiz:
Henüz yaşamadıklarımız.
Ve sana söylemek istediğim en güzel söz:
Henüz söylememiş olduğum sözdür...
(for the turkish thx to Filiz)

Nazım Hikmet

Giorgos Leonardos - Barbarosa the pirate



Book Title: Barbarosa the pirate
Greek Title: Μπαρμπαρόσα ο πειρατής
Author: Giorgos Leonardos
ISBN: 960-236-977-9
Language: Greek
Year: 1998
Publisher: Livanis "Nea Sinora" http://www.livanis.gr
Description: An historical novel, about the famous pirates Orus (Baba) Barbarossa, and Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa or Hızır Hayreddin Paşa
Other information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayreddin_Barbarossa

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Eleftheria Arvanitaki at Smyrni


The power of music is unique, over obstacles and bridges. Even if the words are not understood, music, rhythm, and the movement of the artist on stage can bring people together. This was the concert of Elefteria Arvanitaki held on Tuesday night in the 16th Jazz Festival of Smyrna.
The Greek General Consulate of Greece in Izmir in collaboration with the Cultural Foundation of Izmir and the crucial involvement of Samos Prefecture, made this special concert-the first foreign-hosted at the brand new Centre of Arts - Ahmet Adnan Saygun Smyrna.

For 2 hours the Greek artist and the orchestra offered unique moments, winning the applause of spectators from Turks and about 60 from the Greeks of the Island of Samos who attended the concert. Indeed, the Greek Consul, Ms Hara Skolarikou described as a personal stake and all of its Consulate General in Izmir to contribute significantly to bring the two peoples of Greece and Turkey.
«The full hall of brand Mansion Art show that we approach our goal. The Jazz Festival is a very important institution that has operated for 16 years in Smyrna and want to publicly thank him for the invitation sent to us. It is the result of the excellent cooperation of many entities from both sides», added Ms Skolarikou saying thanks.
Satisfaction for the cooperation was expressed by the chairman of the Cultural Foundation Smyrni Filiz Sarper, she wished that cooperation will continue.

«You made me feel young»

The greatest gift to the Greek artist was from the 88 year old Turkish Cretan origin.
«Tonight with your songs Eleftheria, I felt young again!», said Abidin Bayraktaroglu visibly excited after the concert.
«I was born here in Smyrna, but I am from Heraklion Crete. When I was a kid I was singing Greek songs. “To gilekaki” “Samiotisa”, “Kanarini mou glyko” ... The people in both countries and both sides of the Aegean, love one another. I am 88 years old and I always have this love. »
-«Thank you Eleftheria Arvanitaki », said Mr. President Bayraktaroglu Turkish of the cultural association Cretan and Greek-Turkish Friendship Association.
«It is the first time playing in Smyrna, a jazz festival with great contributions and I am delighted that the Greek Consulate and the Prefecture of Samos made it reality», said Eleftheria Arvanitaki.
We have the warm applause from the audience, although most do not understand the lyrics of the songs.
«You know, when you go out of your country, you are performing not only yourself but also other colleagues, what is essentially standing in the people is feeling the music and the singer on stage, the melodies, the way it tries to contact with them.»
«This is the magic of music, this role is always the art among the people, it can make them communicate, it can be done even for a moment to forget differences, they can be forgotten for a moment from the everyday and waken », Eleftheria Arvanitaki noted.
Satisfied with the event, expressed by Samos Prefect Manolis Karla.
«The concert of Eleftheria Arvanitaki in Smyrna surpassed all expectations. This shows that there is a dynamic between the two countries to invest in peace, cooperation and friendship. We support all the dynamic forces that are here tonight.

Dido Sotiriou motivates

But our fight for peace, cooperation and progress is daily, it gives the roots and fruits and a future perspective», said.
And indeed the Samos Prefecture not only lived the Smyrna Jazz Festival, during his stay in Asia Minor, but also Capital Mr Karla met the President of the Izmir Foundation for Culture to consider the potential to become events at Ephesus and Samos along together with the National Theater.
«We are in a parallel search of capabilities of establishing more cultural events between Turkey and Greece, for example in Samos, in the year of women writers. Because of the origin of the Aydin Dido Sotiriou and the relationship he had with Samos enabled the two peoples to express themselves through a more permanent literary and cultural event.
Our goal is through the exchange of culture to open roads and to create opportunities for our people», said Samos Prefect.

Theodoris Pyliotis

Monday 23 March 2009

Manos Hatzidakis - Introduction

Greek self taught composer, (born Xanthi 1925 – Athens 1994). With origin from Crete he started in 1944 composing music for theater acts. In 1948 in the “Theater of Arts” of Carolos Koun he gave a lecture about the “rebetika songs” . He composed music for ancient Greek drama, as well as incidental music for the contemporary repertory: Medea (1956) Women in Ecclesia (1956), Birds (1959), Othello (1957), A Streetcar Named Desire (1948), Blood Wedding (1948), Eurydice (1960). Manos Hadjidakis composed music for eighty Greek and foreign films: Stella (1955) The Rapist (1956), America-America (1963), Blue (1967), Honey-moon (1973), as well as music for two documentary films by J. Cousteau. In 1960 he was awarded an Oscar for his music in Never on Sunday by Jules Dassin. From 1966-72 he lived in New York, where he recored some of his important works Rhythmology (for piano), Magnus Eroticus (cycle of songs based on poems by ancient and modern writers), Reflections (songs influenced by the atmosphere of the New York music scene).
Manos Hadjidakis, other activities: he founded and directed the Athens Experimental Orchestra (1964-1971, the cafe-theatre called "Polytropon" (1972), the Music Festivals in Anogia, Crete (1978), the Musical August in Heraclion Crete (1979), the Musical Contests in Corfu (1981), and also, the cultural magazine "Tetarto" (1982), the record company "Sirius" (1985), the symphonic ensemble "Orchestra of Colours" (1989), and he directed the Third Programme of Greek National Radio (1975-81). He passed away in 1994.

Introduction tracks
1. Flery Dandonaki - Pame mia volta sto feggari
2. Giorgios Moutsios, Nana Moushouri - Ena Mitho
3. Elli Paspala - To pelago einai vathi
4. Melina Merkouri - Agapi pou egines dikopo mahairi
5. Grigoris Bithikotsis - H Kyra
6. Manos Hatzidakis - Parthena tis geitonias sou

Manos Hatzidakis - Joconta's smile


Title: Joconta's smile
Artist: Manos Hatzidakis
Year: 1964
Production: EMI
Description: One of his instrumental works that show the very delicate side of him

Tracks:
1. When the clouds come
2. Contessa Esterhazy
3. The Virgin of your neighbour
4. The rain
5. Portrait of my mother
6. The concert
7. Mr. Noll
8. The killers
9. Night return
10. Dance with my shadow

Sunday 22 March 2009

Women of Istanbul / İstanbul'un Hanımları
















Translation: Cem Taylan
Text: Harold G. Hagopian
Production: Kalan Muzik
Licence: Crossroads
Year: 1998
Description: A collection of recordings involving the songs which gained popularity in Istanbul between 1927 - 1940.
Singers: Safiye Ayla, Roza Eskenazi, Müşerref Hanım, Perihan Altındağ Sözeri, Hamiyet Yüceses, Zehra Bilir, Saadet Hanım, Suzan Yakar Rutkay, Fahriye Hanım, Necmiye Ararat, Nezihe Uyar, Sabite Tur Gülerman, Nedime Gürses, Mahmure Handan, Faide Yıldız

Tracks:
1. Konyalim
2. Dikmen Güzeli
3. Sen Bu Yaylarlari Yaylayamazin
4. Helvaci
5. Görünce O Dilberi
6. Anam Olasin Omer
7. Saatlerce Basbasa
8. Oglanin Davari
9. Develer Katar Katar
10. Sevda Zinciri
11. Eminem
12. Sigaramin Dumani
13. Gel Gel Bakmiyor
14. Çesmi Siyah
15. Segah Gazel
16. Yetisir
17. Karsidan Gel Göreyim
18. Karsiyakali
19. Mümkün Mü Unutmak Güzelim
20. Baglamamin Dügümü
21. Nafile Gülme
22. Beni Unutma
23. Son Hatıra
24. Düş Ben Gibi Bir Aşka

Sample tracks

Kudsi Erguner - Introduction

Kudsi Erguner comes from a family of musicians. Though his meetings with many master players of the older generation, he has been able to steep him-self in the authentic Ottoman style, the reflection of the centuries of musical culture. He is the only Turkish musician of his generation to have been taught directly by his father in the art of the Ottoman classical music, in the old oral traditional of transmission from master to pupil. His attendance at meetings of Sufi fraternities, has enabled him to follow their spiritual and musical teaching. Among his many activities, he was a permanent member of the Istanbul Radio Orchestra. In 1975 he went to live in Paris, where he successfully completed his studies in architecture and musicology. He has given numerous concerts in the USA and in Europe, bringing Ottoman classical music and Sufi music from Istanbul to the attention of Western audiences. His research into Indian, Pakistani and Turkish music has led to his recording some rare, authentic musical genres, later released on record in Europe, whilst in Turkey he’s founded special ensembles to play styles of the music virtually forgotten since the move towards modernization swept the country. He has written the hagiography of a 13th century Sufi master, Haji Bektasi Veli, as well as a book of tales and parables based on the highly important work of Jalaluddin Rumi, and I yet another of his books, an autobiographical work, he’s written an unusual testimony about the conflicts arising from the clash of old, traditional cultures, especially that of Sufism, with modernity. His large discography of CD’s released in Europe, the US, Japan and Turkey offers panorama of his authentic style coupled with his genuine creativity, whilst offering real insight into the different facets of the Ottoman music. Since 1990, he has made regular appearances at the Istanbul Music Festival, where his concerts have aroused increasing interest amongst the younger generation and played a large part in the return to sources, i.e. to the traditional arts, especially those linked to Sufism. He has worked with major European artists from different disciplines, including Peter Brook, Carolyn Carlson, Maurice Bejart, Peter Gabriel, George Aperghis, Didier Lockwood, Michel Portal… In 1981 he created the Mevlana association in the Paris, where he now teaches the Sufi tradition and classical music. He is also the director of two small communities, one in Paris and the other in Istanbul, linked to the Mevlevi tradition.
Information provided by the booklet of the CD “Kudsi Erguner – The Ottoman Heritage (L’heritage Ottoman)

Introduction music
1. Kudsi Erguner - Huseyni Pesrev
2. Kudsi Erguner - Ada Vapuru
3. Kudsi Erguner & Gilles Andrieux - Nihavend Saz Semai
4. Kudsi Erguner - Ussak Sirto
5. Kudsi Erguner - Kurdili Hicazkar Saz Semai
6. Kudsi Erguner & Derya Turkan – Deuil

The Ottoman Heritage - Ensemble Kudsi Erguner


Title: The Ottoman Heritage
Artist: Ensemble Kudsi Erguner
Year: 2004
Production: Institut Du Monde
Description: This CD contains a very nice example with the music of the Ottoman heritage, played with very fine musicians

Tracks:
1. Huseyni Pesrev
2. Hayal
3. Muhayyer Kurdi Saz-Semai
4. Feza
5. Ferahfeza Pesrev
6. Suz-i ask
7. Sϋzidil Sas-Semai
8. Seddiaraban Saz-Semai
9. Pierre Loti
10. Dilnigar
11. Nevrϋz
12. Uskudar
13. Muhabbet
14. Cecen kizi

The journey of a Sufi musician - Kudsi Erguner


Book Title: Voyages diun musicien soufi (The journey of a Sufi musician)
Greek Title: Το ταξίδι ενός Σούφι Μουσικού
Author: Kudsi Erguner
ISBN: Greek edition: 978-960-421-103-6
Language: French, Greek
Year: First edition 2000, Greek 2007
Publisher: For Greece Arhetypo
Translation: to Greek, Anna Tsakona
Description: His biograph, and his journey through Sufisum, and as a musician. Also contains Cd.

Saturday 21 March 2009

Greek & Turkish Collections Week 28

Week 28 Collection (I) - Greek songs...
1. Baggelis Germanos - Anoixiatiki vrohi
2. Dimitris Kontogiannis - Vissarionas
3. Eleftheria Arvanitaki - Meno ektos
4. Gerasimos Andreatos - Na pio apt\' to potiri sou
5. Giannis Karalis - An Ise... (Pos The Na Xero)
6. Giorgos Mulonas - Ase ena psema
7. Haris & Panos Katsimihas - Mia vradia sto louki
8. Haris & Panos Katsimihas - O paliatsos kai o listis
9. Kostas Hatzis - Ap\' to aeroplano
10. Loudovikos Ton Anogeion - Tis Ririkas
11. Manos Pirobolakis - Stis Ekklisias tin porta
12. Mihalis Papazisis - To koinokaravo
13. Nikos Portokaloglou - Risko
14. Nikos Xidakis - Melina Kana - I fregada

Week 28-Collection of Songs (II)-Various world music
1. Les mots-La Rue Ketanou
2. Pokamia-Roberto De Brasov
3. Amor Em Paz-Herbie Mann, Joao Gilberto
4. One Note Samba-Herbie Mann, Joao Gilberto
5. Chouf la gazelle-La Rue Ketanou
6. Danse rituelle du feu (Manuel de Falla)-Le Trio de Guitare de Paris
7. La pluma-Compay Segundo
8. Firat Agiti (Ask)-Erkan Ogur,Ismail Hakki Demircioglu
9. Keren, Chavorale, Drom-Balval
10. Karacaoglan-Fuat Saka
11. Georgia On My Mind-Django Reinhardt
12. Chan chan-Buena Vista Social Club
13. São Vincente Di Longe-Cesaria Evora

Week 28 Collection (III) - Introduction to Nikos Portokaloglou

1. Psemeta
2. Thalassa mou skoteini
3. Pes to kai egine
4. Iparhei logos sovaros
5. To potami
6. Oti den se skotoni

Week 28 Collection (IV) - Various
1. Arrostisa mana - Giorgos Kavouras
2. Bekledim Kaç Gece - Tarsus\'lu Abdülkerim
3. Bogazici - Mehlika Belgül & Sema İçli
4. Dio magkes mes\' ti filaki - Lela Papadopoulou
5. Kaliopaki - (Panagiotis Tountas)
6. Konyali (Mehmet Bey) - Hafız Burhan Bey
7. Manolia - Ali Ugurlu
8. Manolia - Stelios Kazantzidis
9. Manolyam - Zeki Müren
8. Ne Cikar Bahtimizda - Zeki Müren (M.Kürdi)
9. Oyun Havası - Kemancı Haydar Tatlıyay
10. Siyah gözlere - Seyyan Hanım
11. Stalagmatia stalagmatia - Marika Ninou & Stavros Tzouanakos
12. Taksim - Udi Marko Melkon Alemsherian

Week 28 A brief introduction - Richard Hagopian
1. Agh Im Anush Yarus
2. Anush Yares Heratza
3. Huseyni Saz Semai
4. Suzinak Saz Semai

Tuesday 17 March 2009

Χαρικλάκι - Darıldın mı gülüm bana - Common Songs

Song title: Χαρικλάκι - Darıldın mı gülüm bana
Written
by: Panagiotis Toundas
Style:
Smyrneiko, Cifteteli
Comments:
A very popular song even today

Lyrics:
Χαρικλάκι
(Panagiotis Toundas)

Χτες το βράδυ Χαρικλάκι είχες βάλει τ’οργανάκι
και γλεντούσες μ’ένα αλάνι κάτω στο Πασάλιμάνι
Φιλάκια, ναζάκια, αχ βρε Χαρικλάκι πως με γέλασες
άντε γεια σου, μου την έσκασες

Μες τη μπύρα όταν μπήκες, αχ μανούλα μου τι γλύκες
με φωνόγραφο και πλάκες νταλκαδάκια με τους μάγκες
Ζηλεύω και κλαίγω, αχ βρε Χαρικλάκι πως με γέλασες
άντε γεια σου, μου την έσκασες

Το πρωί μες στη Γλυφάδα κούκλα μου αυτοκινητάδα
κολυμπάς σαν πάπια χήνα και το στρίβεις στην Αθήνα
Ζηλεύω και κλαίγω, αχ βρε Χαρικλάκι πως με γέλασες
άντε γεια σου, μου την έσκασες

(οργανικό)
Ζηλεύω και κλαίγω, αχ βρε Χαρικλάκι πως με γέλασες
άντε γεια σου, μου την έσκασες

Darıldın mı gülüm bana (Xariklaki)

Darıldın mı gülüm bana
hiç bakmıyorsun bu yana
darıldıysan barışalım
kumru gibi koklaşalım

Esmerim güzelim tuti dillim
ben yanıyorum aman allah çok seviyorum

Her zaman üzersin beni
ah yaramaz çapkın seni
benim hiç günahım yoktu
baştan sen çıkardın beni

Esmerim güzelim tuti dillim
ben yanıyorum aman allah çok seviyorum

Tracks:
1. Hamiyet Yuceses - Esmerim Guzelim
2. Hazan Viktoria - Hariklaki
3. Rita Ambatzi - Hariklaki
4. Roza Eskenazy - Hariklaki
5. Giasemi Saragouda - Hariklaki
6. Glykeria - Hariklaki
7. Mariza Kox - Hariklaki
8. Candan Ercetin - Darildin mi Gulum Bana
9. Engin Kizilay - Darildinmi cicim bana
10. Kudsi Erguner - Darildin Mi
11. Melihat Gulses - Darildin Mi Gulum Bana
12. Dilek Kots-Karsi - Hariklaki (Darildim mi gulum bana)

Mikis Theodorakis - The Very Best of Vol.1


Title: The Very Best of Mikis Theodorakis Vol.1 (Compilation)
Artist: Mikis Theodorakis
Year: 2005
Production: EMI (Minos-EMI AE)
Description: This CD contains music of his best productive years 1960-1964, majorly with
artists like Grigoris Bithikotsis. A suggested CD for anyone listening to Greek music.

Tracks:
1. An thimitheis t'oneiro mou (Mary Linda)
2. Mera magiou (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
3. Mana mou kai Panagia (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
4. Drapetsona (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
5. Parapono (St. Kazanztidis- Marinella)
6. Arnisi (Sto Perigiali To Kryfo) - (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
7. Krathsa Th Zwh Mou (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
8. Omorfh Poli (Tha Gineis Dikia Mou) - (M. Theodorakis)
9. Agapi Mou (Faidra) - (Melina Merkouri)
10. Tis xenitias (Fegari Magia Mou'kanes) - (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
11. Aprilis (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
12. Koimisou Aggeloudi Mou (Nanourisma) - (Giota Lydia)
13. Gwnia - Gwnia (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
14. OI Moraioi (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
15. Marina ( Nt. Giannakopulou)
16. O kypos empaine sti thalassa (Nt. Giannakopoulou)
17. Oi hartaetoi (Orchestra)
18. Ena to helidoni (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
19. Ths Dikaiosynhs Hlie Noite (Grigoris Bithikotsis)
20. Ths Agapis Aimata (Grigoris Bithikotsis)

Introduction tracks

Monday 16 March 2009

MIKIS THEODORAKIS - Introduction



Mikis Theodorakis of Cretan descent was born in Chios Greece, 29 July 1925. He lived in many cities in Greece before setting in Athens, where he now lives.

From 1954 to 1960 he worked in Paris and London composing symphonic music, ballet and film music. In 1960 he places himself as leader of the regenerative cultural-political movement in Greece centered on the union of poetry and music, composing dozens of song-cycles, oratorios, revues, music for the ancient Greek drama and other. This movement was connected with the progressive political forces of that period, which aimed, beyond the establishment of democratic life in Greece, to a much deeper and broader rebirth of the Greek people. This brings him often at the center of political life, climaxing with his active participation in the resistance movement against the military dictatorship (1967-74).
Theodorakis wrote for all musical forms. His work, rich and versatile, transcends the limits of music and covers areas such as poetry, prose, philosophy, musicology, even political essays.
The first period of his musical creation (1940-53) includes songs, oratorios, chamber music, ballets and symphonic works, the First Sympony being his most significant work.
The second period, the Paris period (1954-59), includes chamber music, ballets and symphonic works, the major work being the ballet Antigone commissioned by Covent Garden in 1959.
The third period, 1960-1980, is devoted to the popular music. Outstanding works produced are the oratorios Axion Esti and Canto General.
There follows the fourth period, 1981 to 1988, during which, while composing song-cycles, he returns to the symphonic music. Most significant works written are the Third Symphony, the Seventh Symphony, his first opera Kostas Kariotakis (The Metamorphoses of Dionysus) and the Zorbas ballet.
Finally, during the fifth period (1989 to date), he composes three operas (lyric tragedies) Medea, Electra and Antigone. This trilogy is complemented by his new Opera Lysistrata. With these works Theodorakis ushers in the period of the Lyrical Life, that is, his complete turn to lyricism and perfection of the lyrical musical expression within the total range of his musical achievement.

Information from the booklet of the CD "The very best of Mikis Theodorakis Vol.1"

Introduction tracks
1. Mikis Theodorakis - Zorba the Greek (orxhstriko)
2. Maria Farandouri - To gelasto paidi
3. Manolis Mitsias - To treno fevgei stis okto
4. Grigoris Bithikotsis - Ths Xenitias ( Fegari Magia Mou'kanes)
5. Grigoris Bithikotsis - Aprilis
6. Grigoris Bithikotsis - Ths Dikaiosynhs Hlie Noite

Aşkın Samatya’sı Selanik’te Kaldı-Φίλησα μια φορά την Ευδοξία



Book Title: Aşkın Samatya’sı Selanik’te Kaldı
Greek Title: Φίλησα μια φορά την Ευδοξία
Author: Sergun Ağar (Σεργκούν Αγάρ)
ISBN: Turkish edition: 975-07-0061-9, Greek edition: 960-410-290-7
Language: Turkish, Greek
Year: First edition 2001
Publisher: Can Yayınları, in Greece Εκδόσεις Ωκεανίδα ΑΕ, 2003, μετάφραση από τα τουρκικά: Φραγκώ Καράογλαν
Description: Bu kentte, bu İstanbul’da milyonlarca insan yaşadı ve öldü. Kimileri de bu kentte doğup büyüdü, ama başka ülkelerde öldü. Böyle olmasını kendileri istemediler. Annelerinin, babalarının, sevgililerinin mezarları burada, kendi mezarları başka ülkelerde kaldı.Eski Samatya’dan Selanik’e yola çıkan bu kitapla onları anıyorum. Öte yandan, tüm bunları, yaşadıkları ve yaşamadıklarıyla bana bırakan annemdir. Bana anlattıkları ve yaşattıklarıyla, o ve onun hayal gücü…Hayal gücü diyorum; çünkü zaman zaman neyin gerçek, neyin hayal olduğunu anlamakta kararsız kaldığım yerler oldu. Yine de bir zamanlar bu kentte yaşamış insanların öykülerini olduğuna inanmalısınız. Çünkü ben anneme hep inandım.

Εκατομμμύρια άνθρωποι έζησαν και πέθαναν σε τούτη εδώ την πόλη, την Ιστανμπούλ. Κι άλλοι πάλι γεννήθηκαν εδώ, μεγάλωσαν στην πόλη αυτή, μα έκλεισαν τα μάτια τους σε τόπους άλλους. Για λόγους που δεν όριζαν οι ίδιοι. Οι τάφοι των μανάδων, των πατεράδων, των αγαπημένων τους μείναν εδώ, οι δικοί τους βρίκονται σε άλλες χώρες. Αυτούς τους τελευταίους μνημονεύω με το βιβλίο αυτό, που ταξιδεύει από τα παλιά Ψωμαθειά στν Σαλονίκη. Την ιστορία που θα σας πω μου την άφησε παρακαταθήκη η μάνα μου. Είναι όσα εκείνη έζησε και δεν έζησε. Όσα μου διηγήθηκε εκείνη και μ’ έσπρωξε να βιώσω η φανταίσα της…Λέω “η φαντασία της” γιατί σε πολλά μέρη δυσκολεύθηκα να ξεχωρίσω την αλήθεια από τ’ όνειρο. Πρέπει πάντως να πιστέψετε ότι είναι ιστορίες ανθρώπων που κάποτε έζησαν σε τούτη δω την πόλη. Γιατί εγώ πίστευα πάντα αυτά που μου έλεγε η μάνα μου.

ASIA MINOR OVER AGAIN - Documentary Film


The Aegean Kardasia present the Documentary Film “Asia Minor Over Again” by Tahsin Isbilen in Athens “ILION” cinema, on Sunday, 22nd of March, 11:00 am. The show is supported by the Greek Film Center and the Unions of Associations of Lesvos and Samos in Attica. The Director and the Producer of the film will be available to discuss the film Subject with the audience after the show.
The Film was very recently awarded the 2nd prize by TRT and, also, has confirmed its participation in the International Film Festival of Patras, for next October.

ΠΡΟΣΚΛΗΣΗ για την Κυριακή,22 Μαρτίου 2009, 11:00
προβολή του βραβευμένου ντοκιμαντέρ «ΜΙΚΡΑ ΑΣΙΑ ΠΑΛΙ» του Τούρκου σκηνοθέτη Tahsin Isbilen, την Κυριακή 22 Μαρτίου 2009, 11:00 πμ στον Κινηματογράφο ΙΛΙΟΝ, Πατησίων και Τροίας 34, ΜΕΤΡΟ «Βικτώρια».
Η εκδήλωση, η οποία πραγματοποιείται με την ευκαιρία της επίσκεψης των Δημιουργών του Φιλμ στην Αθήνα, γίνεται με την υποστήριξη του Ελληνικού Κέντρου Κινηματογράφου και θα χαιρετήσουν η Ομοσπονδία Σαμιακών Συλλόγων καθώς και η Ομοσπονδία Λεσβιακών Συλλόγων Αττικής.
Η είσοδος στο «ΙΛΙΟΝ» είναι δωρεάν, η προβολή θα διαρκέσει μία ώρα και θα ακολουθήσει συζήτηση με το Σκηνοθέτη για το Φιλμ.
Το θέμα της ταινίας είναι η φιλοξενία που παρείχαν οι Τούρκοι των Παραλίων (στην Πέργαμο, στο Κουσάντασι κλπ) προς τους Έλληνες των νησιών (κυρίως από Σάμο και Λέσβο) που καταδιωκόμενοι από τους Γερμανούς κατακτητές (1942-1944) ζήτησαν σωτηρία στην Τουρκία (άλλοι για εγκατάσταση, άλλοι για να συνεχίσουν το ταξίδι τους στην Μέση Ανατολή). Η αξία της συγκεκριμένης εξιστόρησης γίνεται πιο σημαντική αν αναλογιστεί κανείς ότι οι μνήμες του 1922 ήταν ακόμη νωπές (20 μόλις χρόνια μετά την Ανταλλαγή), και ότι, παρόλη την αρχική καχυποψία, η καλή γειτονία και η αλληλεγγύη αναδείχθηκαν από τις καρδιές Τούρκων και Ελλήνων σαν οι κυρίαρχες αξίες στις σχέσεις τους.

Πολύ πρόσφατα, το Φιλμ εξασφάλισε τη συμμετοχή του στο Διεθνές Φεστιβάλ Κινηματογράφου της Πάτρας τον Οκτώβρη του 2009 και, επίσης, πήρε το 2ο βραβείο στο διαγωνισμό ντοκιμαντέρ της κρατικής Τουρκικής Ραδιοφωνίας Τηλεόρασης (TRT).

http://www.asyaminor.com/en/index.asp

Serap Tamay - Canım Terkeyledi Beni



Last week we put the blog an interview with turkish musician Serap Tamay and now we are introducing their albume here which consists of turkish songs.

Title: Canım Terkeyledi Beni
Artist: Serap Tamay
Year: 2002
Production: ADA music
Description:.

Tracks:
1. Salınıp giderken (words: Aşık Veysel, music:İsmet Tezcan)
2. Sabah olsun(words: anonymous, music: İsmet Tezcan)
3. Yarın beyaz gerdanında (words: Aşık Veysel, music: İsmet Tezcan) Sample
4. Bahcede erik dalı (traditional Bursa, arr.Ömer Akpınar)
5. Sabahın seferinde(traditional Tokat, arr.M.Erenler)
6. Ferayi (traditional Muğla, arr.M.Sarısözen)
7. Çalın davulları (traditional Roumelia, arr.Nihat Kaya)
8. Sevgilim (music: Rauf Hacıyev)
9. Cayin Ote Yuzunde (traditional Elazığ, arr.M.Sarısözen)
10. Bulut bulut Ustune (traditional Mut, arr.Melih Duygulu)
11. Bahcalarda Zerdali (traditional Gaziantep, arr.M.Sarısözen)
12. Canım terkeyledi beni (words: Zerrin Kurtoğlu music: İsmet Tezcan)
13. Allı Turnam (traditional Keskin, arr.M.Sarısözen)

Friday 13 March 2009

Metronomos Magazine issue No31


ΠΕΡΙΟΔΙΚΟ Magazine
Issue 31 October - December 2008
Τεύχος 31 Οκτώβριος - Δεκέμβριος 2008

Περιεχόμενα
Αφιέρωμα στον Ηλία Κατσούλη
Το τελευταίο ταξίδι, του Θανάση Συλιβού
Η μπαλάντα ενός αθόρυβου, της Στέλλας Βλαχογιάννη
Δεν ήταν θαυματοποιός, ήτανε ονειροποιός, του Διονύση Καρατζά
Για τον Ηλία Κατσούλη, του Νότη Μαυρουδή
Τα παπούτσια μας ήταν μικρά, του Κώστα Καλημέρη
Σημείωμα από καρδιάς, του Νίκου Χειλαδάκη
Ένας σεμνός ποιητής «έφυγε», του Δημήτρη Μπαγιέρη
Μέγας μάστορας, του Σώτου Αλεξίου
Ο Ελευθερίου των φτωχών, του Θόδωρου Βαλσαμίδη
Ένα μεγάλο παιδί, του Σπύρου Κουρκουνάκη
Αδερφέ μου Ηλία… του Θωμά Κοροβίνη
Ελλαδογραφία 1900 – 2008. Μια μουσική παράσταση, της Μαρίας Τομαρά
Εργοστάσιο Columbia. «Βλέπω την κάνουμε σιγά – σιγά…», του Δημήτρη Βάκη
Χρήστος Κωνσταντίνου, του Τάσου Καραντή
Αφεντούλα Ραζέλη, του Αλέξη Βάκη
Γιώργος Σταυρακάκης, του Ηλία Βολιότη – Καπετανάκη
«Ανοιχτά παράθυρα», το Καβαλιώτικο μουσικό σχήμα, του Θανάση Συλιβού
Λάμπρος Λεονταρίδης, του Ηλία Βολιότη – Καπετανάκη
Θυμάμαι το Νικόλα Άσιμο, του Σταύρου Καρτσωνάκη
Ο Θωμάς Κοροβίνης και η «Όμορφη νύχτα»,
Της Λιζέτας Καλημέρη
Νίκος Μαμαγκάκης - «Τα τραγούδια της παράδεισος»,του Ηλία Βολιότη – Καπετανάκη
Το ηπειρώτικο πανηγύρι, του Ανδρέα Καρζή
Μουσικοί Ιχνηλάτες, του Ηλία Βολιότη – Καπετανάκη
Ατασθαλίες ή, πιο ευγενικά, ετερόκλητες συνεργασίες, του Σπύρου Κουρκουνάκη
Ο Γιώργης Τρουλλινός και η μελαμπιανή παρέα,
του Κωστή Μουδάτσου
Πίσω από τα όργανα: Αχιλλέας Κουλαξίζης – Ο μάστορας
Του ακορντεόν, του Γιώργου Αλτή

ΕΝΘΕΤΟ
Εξώφυλλα, μουσικές και αναμνήσεις από τις 45 στροφές
Δεκαετία του ΄60: Ελληνική ποπ & ροκ Ά μέρο

Aptalikos - Common tune & music Score


Song title: Aptalikos, Aptal Havasi, Zeybegi Kordon
Written: Traditional of Asia Minor
Style: Smyrneiko, Aptaliko Zeybekiko,
Comments: A karsilama with the style of 3+2+2+2 that is called "Aptalikos"
the oldest versions is directly from Smyrni and from Lefteris Menemenlis. Interesting is also the 2nd version by Sukru Tunar, who also was born in the Aegean coast in the city of Edremmiti

Tracks
Version A + Music score
1. Farah Dance Orchestra - Aptal Havasi
2. Lefteris Menemenlis - Aptal Havasi - Tetrahordon
3. Stefanos Bezos - Aptalikos
4. Giorgos Mitsakis - Aptaliko
5. Traditional Group from Lesbos - Aptaliko
6. Estoudiantina Neas Ionias - Aptaliko, Smyrneiko Ballos, Sire na peis tin mana su

Version B
1. Kyriakos Guventas - Aptaliko Zeybekiko
2. Surku Tunar - Zeybegi Kordon

Nikos Portokaloglou - Live at Kyttaro Athens 7-3-09





Thursday 12 March 2009

Nikos Portokaloglou - Introduction


Born in Volos city 1957. His father a refugee from Smyrni worked there in an oil company. He is the second child of the family. Due to work they finally settle in Athens and the suburb of Nea Smyrni. At school he meets Odysseas Tsakalos, who will be the main partner to create the first group called "FATME". He has been influenced by the songs of Hadjidakis with Nana Mouschouri, Frank Sinatra, Yves Montant, also some classical music. Via his brother he listens to the Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix and also the LP "Perivoli Tou Trellou" by Dionisis Savvopoulos.
After entering and playing in various small bands, he finally forms the group FATME in 1979-80 and they record their debut LP "FATME", followed by PSEMETA, RISKO, BGAINOYME APO TO TOUNEL, TAXIDI, PALKO.
From 1990 he has followed a solo carrier and has released more than 10 personal LPs/CDs. He is regarded as a prolific songwriter, with songs that are constantly awarded the song of the year, and he still continues to compose and perform live. Some of his very known songs: TA KARAVIA MOU KEO , KALOKERAKI, PES TO KI EGINE, IPARHEI LOGOS SOVAROS, PSEMMATA and others.

More information on his website (in English and Greek)
http://www.portokaloglou.gr/

Introduction tracks:
1. Psemeta
2. Thalassa mou skoteini
3. Pes to kai egine
4. Iparhei logos sovaros
5. To potami
6. Oti den se skotoni

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFbOxGNvrm0

Istanbul 1925


Title: Istanbul 1925
Artists: Various
Year: 1995
Production: Kalan Music
Graphic Design: Jerry Bezdikian
Production: Harold G. Hagopian
Description: Istanbul 1925 presents a collection of legendary performers from one of the most exciting periods in Middle Eastern music. Belly dancing, folk music and classical styles were merged together creating a sound which became the rage of Istanbul - a city situated literally at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The greatest cabaret singers, musicians, dancers and classical artists from various ethnic backgrounds - Turks, Armenians, Jews, Greeks and Gypsies lived in Istanbul, creating a musical style that dominated the city for more than half a century.

Hundreds of recordings were made by His Master's Voice in Turkey and issued on 78 rpm records. Presented here are performances of Turkey's greatest artists recorded during that era, digitally remastered from the original metal parts, allowing the quality of the music to be heard for the first time without the additional distortion and surface noise of early 78 discs. Performances by Sükrü Tunar, Kemani Nubar, Kanuni Artaki, Münir Nurettin Selçuk, Udi Hrant and many others. Includes 23 page booklet with extensive liner notes and rare photographs..

Reviews:
"One after the other, the luminaries of Turkish music are presented on this recording. The liner notes are full of biographical snippets and a few pictures of the performers. This is an excellent survey of a very important period in Turkish music." Singout!
"Istanbul 1925 is a comprehensive introduction to a musical movement that had as profound an impact in Turkey as the development of rock'n roll did here." In Pittsburgh Newsweekly
"Mastered digitally from the original metal parts, they have a sound clarity that makes it seem as if they had arrived magically out of a time machine." Rolling Stone

Tracks

1) Hüzzam taksim (Sükrü Tunar)
2) Neva Hicaz Gazel (Mahmut Celalettin)
3) Çikar yücelerden (Münir Nurettin Selçuk/S. Kaynak)
4) Çifte Telli (Udi Hrant)
5) Daktilo (Deniz Kizi/Kanuni Artaki)
6) Raks Bedia (Kemani Haydar Tatliyay)
7) Hicaz taksim (Udi Hrant)
8) Sevda Zinciri (Suzan Yakar)
9) Yüzü Pembe (Mahmut Celalettin/Udi Marko)
10) Suzinak taksim (Sükrü Tunar) Sevda Zinciri (Suzan Yakar)
11) Karsilama (Sükrü Tunar)
12) Neva Ussak Gazel (Mahmut Celalettin)
13) Hüzzam taksim (Udi Hrant)
14) Leyla (Münir Nurettin Selçuk/S. Kaynak)
15) Agladim Aci Çektim (Kuçuk Nezihe Hanim/Sükrü Tunar)
16) Bahriye Çifte Telli (Kemani Nubar)
17) Kürdili Hicazkâr taksim (Udi Hrant)
18) Arap Oyun Havasi (Kemani Haydar Tatliyay)
19) Rast Neva Gazel (Mahmut Celalettin)
20) Ne Bahar Kaldi Ne gül (Perihan Altindag/R. Elkutlu)
21) Kessik Kerem (Hanende Agyazar Efendi)
22) Çifte Telli (Sükrü Tunar)

Monday 9 March 2009

One of us: Interview with Serap Tamay

Here is an interview made with Serap Tamay, a musician from Izmir, a friend and member of GreekTurkish friendship groups. Zuhal Okuyan asked the questions.

From her performace at the Turkish Greek festival of Karaburun Turkey 2008

Tell us something about yourself…
I was born in Ankara. I have been living in Izmir since about twenty-five years. I finished State Turkish Music Conservatory and I am a music teacher.
How did you change your musical interest from Turkish Music to World music?
As a child, I was raised in a family where everybody sang or played some musical instrument. My grandmother played the garmon (a Circassian accerdeon like instrument), my father and mother also sang and my father had a very large repertoire of Circassian songs. So I have grown up in a musical environment. In 1989 I met İsmet Tezcan (my husband) and Hüsrev Öztürk and we formed a group called ‘Group Günberi’. At first we sang some songs from Aegean Islands and some latin songs and gradually our repertoire expanded and included many cultures and languages. As Group Günberi, we gave many concerts called ‘From New World to Mediterranean’ and made the music from Latin America to Spain and Portugal and to Balkans and especially Greece.We extended our musical journey to Rembetiko and Anatolian Folk music.We wanted to share with the audience the universal language of emotions in different languages. Each country has a different colour and I wish to sing in all languages if possible!

Can you please also mention the musicians you have worked with?
I had the chance of working with very good musicians.Ismet Tezcan, apart from being my beloved husband is a very good guitarist and composer, our good friend Husrev Öztürk (whom we lost very early couple of years ago), others like Ömür Gidel (arrangements) Funda Meyer (flute) Ali Aliyev (bass guitar) and Alesker Abbasov (keyboard), Zeynep Tamay (viola), Hasan Telkıvıran (flute), Ali Ozturk (guitar), İlhan Çınar (violin), Onur Topoğlu (cello), Tolga Kulak (violin) and many other good musicians…
Can you also say something of Ismet’s music?
Ismet has composed a lot of music. Some of them are children songs, and we are planning to make a children song book project. He also got prizes in some competitions.There are four songs he composed in our first and only work in the market, the album called "Canım Terkeyledi Beni" ('My Soul Has Left Me'). We are working on new songs; my friend Zerrin Kurtoğlu writes the lyrics, İsmet composes and I sing! I am looking forward to sharing our new work with my friends!

And also you had TRT days?
Since 1989 we have participated in many programs of TRT (Turkish Radio Television). In TRT-2 we made programs for a long time for the program called ‘Muzik Mozaik’. Also with other important programs we had the chance to make our music heard country-wide and everywhere in the world where they watched TRT.
What are you doing now?
We continue teaching. Ismet is a guitar teacher in Fine Arts High School. I am also writing a book called "History of Western Music" for schools with a group of friends.
We know your interest in contributing to peace between two countries and more than that you have been singing in Greek for a long time in many concerts. Since when have you been singing rebetiko music?
Since 1990. There are many stories in this part of the world we live and Aegean stories are an important part of them. By singing these common heritage songs, we want to make everybody to feel and think about peace, friendship, love, brotherhood…I think this music is a treasure and will help us to create and promote peace on two sides of Aegean water.
What do you think about our Turkish Greek friendship groups? Do you have any comments or suggestions?
Last year in Karaburun and Mordoğan we had the chance to perform with other Greek and Turkish musicians and shared our emotions with the audience. I think everybody was very happy and excited. I hope this Greek-Turkish Friendship activity continues.Very good musicians have come together. A real friend Panos Agiakatsikas and his beautiful daughter Myrsini, Themis Patilas, Fotini Banou with wonderful voice, dervish-hearted and beloved Dimitris Alexakis and Aris Kotsas, Muammer Ketencoğlu, Deniz Ketencoğlu, Fulya Özlem, Salih Nazım Peker, İbrahim Sivrikaya,Aykut Yalçın …..also contribution of you, Özlem Yaşayanlar, Filiz Korkmaz, Tahsin İşbilen, Işın Turgut...Also both mayors of Karaburun and Mordoğan really believed in Greek-Turkish friendship and facilitated the realisation of this event.
We are already preparing for this summer’s event and thanks to dear Panos, Filiz, Çağatay and Aris enlarging our common repertoire. I would like to thank them here. I would like to take part in and support every work to develop our friendship. There must be concerts, exhibitions, film performances, literature discussions, visits to both countries to develop this friendship. I also propose a newsletter in future (although this blog serves for this purpose, for reaching more people). Also a catalog of activities would be a nice idea.We need sponsors of course!
Which greek composers and artists do you like most?
Markos Vamvakaris, Vasilis Tsitsanis, Giannis Papaioannou, Kostas Skarvelis, Apostolos Kaldaras, Manos Loizos, Manos Hadjıdakis, the composer Mikis Theodorakis……. Roza Eskenazi, Marika Ninou, Rita Abadzi ….Moreover, George Dalaras and Haris Alexiou. I love them all. I am very happy I have listened to them all.

For the last, I thank you my dear friend Zuhal, as one of the architects of this beautiful group and events…..
Love and greetings to all friends.

Sunday 8 March 2009

Loxandra - Maria Iordanidou



Greek book title: Loxandra
Turkish title: Loksandra Istanbul Dusu
Author: Maria Iordanidou
ISBN: Greek edition 960-05-0138-6 , Turkish edition: 975-344-099-5
Type: Novel
Language: Greek, Turkish
Year: First edition 1966 Greece 1994 (Turkey)
Publisher: Turkey: Greece: Estia
Description:
The central person of the novel is Loxandra, a prototype of an anatolian Greek women of the Poli. The whole story occurs in Constandinople at the beggining of the 19th century. A nostalgic, view of a Greek family that lives at that time, and also describes many characters that mold the picture of Constandinople. Reading this book directly you live with Loxandras family, and shape in mind the style and life of that time.

Saturday 7 March 2009

REBETIKO [Ρεμπέτικο] (1983)


Director: Kostas Ferris
Producer: George Zervoulakos
Language: Greek
Year: 1983
Time: 110 min. (150 min. in original version in Greece)
Awards: It won Berlin Film Festival, Silver Bear Award in 1984 and Thessaloniki Film Festival, "Best Film, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress Awards in 1983.

Cast:
Sotiria Leonardou as Marika
Nikos Kalogeropoulos as Bambis
Michalis Maniatis as Giorgakis
Themis Bazaka as Andriana
Nikos Dimitratos as Panagis
Giorgos Zorbas as Thomas
Konstantinos Tzoumas as Giannis
Vicky Vanita as Roza

The story of a big singer of Rebetiko, born at Smyrna in 1919, and leads in 1956 to Athens. The roamings, the loves, the professional successes and the personal destructions of the hero, but also an original glance in the facts that played important role in the history of Greece in first half the 20th century, are accompanied by Stavros Xarhakos' music and songs (most in Nikos Gatsos' verses). All the elements of a popular musical drama, complete this epic masterpiece.

Kızın adı Marika'ydı... Rum'du, İzmirliydi, göçmendi... Aşık oldu kanatlandı yüreği; aldatıldı, yenik düştü hayata ve rebetikolar onun çığlığı oldu ve çıkış yolu...1922 Küçük Asya Felaketi sonrası, pek çok Rum yerini yurdunu terk ederek, Yunanistan'da gurbetçi oldu. Oranın egemenleri tarafından da kabul görmeyip dışlanınca marjinelleşen, açlık ve mutsuzluk sonucu esrara sarılan, barakalarda yaşayıp hayatlarını yasadışı yollardan kazanmaya çalışan ve üstüne bir de "Türk tohumu" diye çağrılan bu insanlar, çaresizliklerini, özlemlerini, acıyla yoğrulmuş halk şarkılarıyla, rebetikolarla dile getirdiler.Onlardan biriydi... Sesiyle varolmaya çalışan, acılarını rebetikoyla haykıran diğer kadınlar, rakibesi Roza, annesi Adriana gibi, aşka, göçmenliğe, yoksulluğa ve kadınlığına yenik düşmüştü Marika... Hangisi daha çok acıttı yüreğini bilinmez; ama dilinden bir rebetikonun şu dizeleri hiç düşmezdi:

Bu adaletsiz dünyaya
Bu yaşadığımız dünyaya
Sormadı kimse bize
Acaba gelmek ister miyiz diye?

A short sample from movie (song: Stou Thoma)

Rebetika 1918 - 1954














Title
: Rebetika 1918 - 1954
Artists: Various
Year: 1994
Production: Kalan Music
Description: This album is produced to emphasize the way music and history are intermingled and how the period before and after the population exchange was reflected on music.
Research and text writer:
Serdar Sönmez and Muammer Ketencoğlu
Archive: Muammer Ketencoğlu, Hasan Saltık

Tracks

1-
Ime Prezakias- Tsifte Telli



2- Zmirneikos Balos



3- Neva Hedzaz



4- Aidhinikos Horos



5- Gazeli Neva Sabah



6- Trava Re (Manga Ke) Alani



7- Horos Dervishikos



8- Tis Ksenityas O Ponos



9- Hedzaz Neva Manes



10- Burnovalio Sirto



11- Gyuzel Sabah Manes



12- Ise Pondos



13- Sousta Politiki



14- Opios Orfanepse Mikros



15- Coban Kizi (Amane)



16- Taxim- Zeybekiko



17- I Xenitia (Gurbet)



18- I Baglamades (Baglamalar)



19- Minore You Teke



20- I Eleni I Zontohira (Dul Eleni)



21- Gulbahar



Friday 6 March 2009

Izmir Hatirasi - Smyrna Recollections - Muammer Ketencoglu


Title: Izmir Hatirasi - Smyrna Recollections
Artist: Muammer Ketencoglu
Year: 2007
Production: Kalan records
Description: A collection of songs of Smyrni and the Aegean costs, from Greeks, Turks, Jews
Comments: Something very new for the discography in Turkey, unknown music, from the minorities. Except from very known Turkish musicians that participate in the Cd, there are Greek singers as well, like Stelios Berberis, Ivi Demerci and Panagiota Mihaleli.

Title tracks
1. Ucun Kuslar
2. Mendilimin Ucuna Sakiz Bagladim Sakiz
3. Hicaz Taksim
4. Esma
5. Izmir Uclemesi Sample
6. To Salvari
7. Alt`ay Oldu Ben Bu Dagi Asali
8. Hurmuz Hanim
9. Muhayyer Taksim
10. Milo Mu Ke Mandarini
11. Segah Taksim
12. Uc Kemerin Dibegi
13. Alma Miya
14. Su Izmir`den Cekirdeksiz Nar Gelir
15. To Dervisaki
16. Gokcen Efe`m
17. Yalo Yalo

Music Score - Min Orkisesai vre psefta - Dimitris Semsis


Song title: Min orkisese vre pseftra, Μην ορκίζεσαι βρε ψεύτρα, Dont swear you lier.
Written: Giorgos Petropouleas, Dimitris Semsis
Style: Smyrneiko
Versions by: Roza Eskenazi, and Katerina Papadopoulou with Estoudiantina Neas Ionias
Music score in various formats
Music score: Stelios Varveris
Files

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Poietika (Şiir Sanatı Üzerine) - ΠΕΡΙ ΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΗΣ




Book title: Poietika (Şiir Sanatı Üzerine) - ΠΕΡΙ ΠΟΙΗΤΙΚΗΣ
Turkish title: Poietika (Şiir Sanatı Üzerine)
Author: Aristoteles
ISBN: 975-7298-58-1
Language: Greek - Turkish
Publisher: In Turkey Bilim ve Sanat Yayınları (www.bilimvesanat.com), 2005, translation Nazile Kalaycı
Description: Felsefede yalınlığın ve duruluğun doruk noktası; “çözümleme”nin ve “bölümleme”nin üstadı Aristoteles’in, şiir sanatının gücünü “sözün gücü”yle açığa vurduğu bir başyapıt: Poietika.Eski Yunan tragedyalarının doğasını, tarihini ve geleneksel uygulamalarını bütün bir şiirsel ardyöresiyle birlikte konu edinen Aristoteles’in Poietika’sı, çağları aşan etkisiyle günümüzün sanat ve yazın kuramlarına yol göstermeyi hâlâ sürdürüyor.Felsefece düşünmenin tarihinde ana uğraklardan biri olan bu yapıt, özgün dilinden çeviri ve Yunanca aslıyla birlikte sunuluyor.