The songs of Asia Minor combine the Greek tradition, steeped in centuries of Byzantine legacy and infused with Anatolian and Western elements. Just like the cosmopolitan cities that produced them in Constantinople, Smyrna and later in the refugee diaspora.

In "Echoes of Asia Minor", Melisma presents a fine selection of such songs, using instruments such as the kanonaki (zither), the outi (lute), the lyra (Constantinopolitan violin) and various percussion like the toubeleki (darbuka) and the frame drum (bendir). For this performance, Melisma will be joined by kaval (flute) virtuoso Metin Yilmaz in his debut collaboration with the group.

The themes and rhythms of the songs range from playful traditional dance tunes (Θα σπάσω κούπες) to sorrowful love songs (Όταν με 'γέννας μάνα μου) up to mid-20th century rembetika (Βir Allah) and adaptations of Anatolian melodies (Βοσπορίτισσα).

Melisma Ensemble - Echoes of Asia Minor - Sydney

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