- artist:Bosphorus - Mode Plagal
- release year:2002
- style(s):Global Fusion, Turkish
- country:Greece
- formats:CD (Compact Disc)
- record posted by:Hitch Hyke Music
- label:Hitch Hyke Records
BEYOND THE BOSPHORUS
BOSPHORUS - MODE PLAGAL
The symbolism of the Bosphorus straights as a passage from one world to another, from one sea to the other and from one continent to a new world, has marked through myths the spiritual memory and heritage of migrating tribes as well as that of sea - faring people in the greater basin of the Eastern Mediterranean.
On the crossroads, at the exact point of intersection of the axis, between Europe and Asia, a city was founded, Constantinople, the present day Istanbul.
The space all around resounds - Aghia Sophia, the Bosphorus, the mosques, the domes, the golden horn. Beyond, rises yet another deafening but silent sound, the dirge of a Metropolis which has lost the dream to embrace within her womb all the religions and peoples suffering tribulations and becoming thus an example of ecumenicity.
BEYOND THE BOSPHORUS tries to capture the echo of this indescribable sound. To achieve this - which is also a game with different musical systems and tunings - two groups collaborated and interacted: BOSPHORUS with Turkish musicians and ancient traditional instruments which bring forth the sound and experience of the Eastern and Anatolian musical tradition and MODE PLAGAL, a Greek avant-garde group which is experimenting a contemporary approach to Greek traditional Folk music.
The compositions are by the musicians of both groups and are put to the poetry of G. Seferis, T. Syrelis and V. Papageorgiou around the Bosphorus theme.
They are interpreted by Vasiliki Papageorgiou, with a traditional Alevi prayer to the 12 Imams by Engin Arslan.
The musical direction is by Nikiforos Metaxas.