Great Voices of Constantinople: 1927-1933

Amazon.com
Historically, Istanbul has always been a land where cultures met (and clashed). Great Voices of Constantinople takes a point/counterpoint angle in its showcase of two vernacular music greats, Andonios Dhiamandidhis, or Dalgas, and Hafiz Burhan Sesyilmaz. Dalgas, a Greek, specialized in the "amane," an unmetered song consisting of single couplets, while the Turkish Burhan was more a Cantor, but also tackled the amane. Dalgas alone cut over 400 sides for the Greek HMV catalog between 1926 and 1933, and Burhan's numerous Columbia 78s are a testimony to his fame at the time. On this CD, both performers shine, with Dalgas providing some truly interesting lyrics--the translation to "Mia Smyrnia Stin Kokkinia" reads like the vocals of a ragtime number--and Burhan showcasing some truly inspiring backing instrumentation. As a bonus of sorts, one of the best cuts is a total wildcard: a frenetic 1930 "Kemani Cevdet Bey" instrumental track, thrown in for good measure. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Manes Tis Avyis - Andonios Dalgas
Nitschun Guerdum - Hafiz Burhan
Hasapaki - Andonios Dalgas
Kouch Sesleri - Hafiz Burhan
Ta Baglamadhakia - Andonios Dalgas
Kilbournou Cifte Tellisi - Kemani Cevdet Bey
Manes Kiourdili - Andonios Dalgas
Hicaz Gazel - Hafiz Burhan
Mia Smyrnia Stin Kokkinia - Andonios Dalgas
Sevdim Vallah Sevdim Billah - Hafiz Burhan
O Kamos Tou Fthiskou - Andonios Dalgas
Neva Gazel - Hafiz Burhan
Manes Si Be Mol Smyrneikos - Andonios Dalgas
Konyali - Hafiz Burhan
Dhervisaki - Andonios Dalgas
Rast Templu Gazel - Hafiz Burhan
Mes 'Tou Singrou Ti Fillaki - Andonios Dalgas
Neva Usak Gazel - Hafiz Burhan
To Baglamadhaki Spase - Andonios Dalgas
Cargah Gazel Templu - Hafiz Burhan
Rozika - Andonios Dalgas
Neva Hicaz Gazel - Hafiz Burhan
Katinaki Mou Yia Sena - Andonios Dalgas

Amazon.com

Historically, Istanbul has always been a land where cultures met (and clashed). Great Voices of Constantinople takes a point/counterpoint angle in its showcase of two vernacular music greats, Andonios Dhiamandidhis, or Dalgas, and Hafiz Burhan Sesyilmaz. Dalgas, a Greek, specialized in the "amane," an unmetered song consisting of single couplets, while the Turkish Burhan was more a Cantor, but also tackled the amane. Dalgas alone cut over 400 sides for the Greek HMV catalog between 1926 and 1933, and Burhan's numerous Columbia 78s are a testimony to his fame at the time. On this CD, both performers shine, with Dalgas providing some truly interesting lyrics--the translation to "Mia Smyrnia Stin Kokkinia" reads like the vocals of a ragtime number--and Burhan showcasing some truly inspiring backing instrumentation. As a bonus of sorts, one of the best cuts is a total wildcard: a frenetic 1930 "Kemani Cevdet Bey" instrumental track, thrown in for good measure. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

A pleasant 'culture shock'.......2005-10-14

Since I'm partially Greek and have been interested in music from this part of the world for quite a long time, I was thrilled to find this cd in a specialized store in Amsterdam. Andonios Dalgas and Hafiz Burhan - A Greek and a Turk, both famous singers from Constantinopel during the twenties and thirties - alternate in singing heart-felt songs in traditional style, with a wide variety of rythms and melodic modes. It is interesting to hear that their music has a lot in common and has clear differences at the same time. Somehow the Greek 'Manes' (a long, drawn-out love song, derived from Arabic and Persian music) seem to be more based on functional harmony, and sometimes sound more 'Western' in this aspect. At the same time the modality and the rich ornamentation remind you of the fact that the Greeks seem to be musical transition figures, somehow caught between East and West, which I find fascinating. The Turkish music seems to be less occupied with harmony, and is thrilling melodicaly and rythmically. Hafiz Burhan makes a thrilling adventure out of every song, fast or slow. Both he and Dalgas were astounding vocal artists, virtuosic and highly expressive at the same time.
It is also interesting to compare the subject matters (the booklit provides the songtexts in the original language and English): whereas Dalgas sings of dying consumptives, murder and drugs, Burhan seems mainly occupied with his seductive, irresistible objects of passion, and his songs are generally more positive.
I would advice anyone who is historically interested in Greek and Turkish music to buy this cd - it is a wonderfull document that grows on you more everytime you listen to it.

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