Early Mediterranean Soundmap by Sofia Svarna

İstanbul, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2021-09-29 11:11:27 UTC

GRIFFITHS JULIUS (1802-fl.)(p. 115)
"THERE are amongst the Turks some who affect a taste for music ; but they understand not the “concord of sweet sounds,” nor comprehend, according to our system , a single principle of musical composition .--- An ill-shaped guittar, with several wires always out of tune ---a narrow wooden case , upon which are fastened two catgut strings ---a tambourine of leather instead of parch ment, ornamented with many small plates of brass, which jingle most discordantly , ---and a sort of flute, made without any regard to the just proportion of distance between the apertures, constitute the principal instruments of these virtuosi : Yet it is extremely common to see, amongst the lowest orders, performers on the guitar, which they continue for hours to torment with a monotony the most detestable

İstanbul, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2021-09-29 11:39:48 UTC

Dmitrie Kantemir (1673-1723)

Κέα, 840 02, Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2021-09-30 09:51:34 UTC

"lyre and lute"

THOMAS MACGILL (p.41)
"During dinner, the band entertained us with many sweet and simple airs. The principal instruments were the lyre and the lutė, and these were at intervals accompanied by the voice, agreeably to the Grecian manner ; the inhabitants of Zia play remarkably well on the lyre, which they boast, was invented in their island ; certain it is, that Simonides put an additional chord to it ; the music of the lyre is soft and melodious, and pleases my ear better than that of the violin ; its notes are much wilder. The manner of playing on these two instruments is the same, with this difference only , that the bottom of the lyre rests upon the knee".

Σμύρνη, Επαρχία Σμύρνης, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2021-09-30 10:17:30 UTC

THOMAS MACGILL (101)

european musical instruments

"Most of the young people in Smyrna play on some musical instrument, and many of them in an exquisite style. The ladies perform on the harp, piano forte, and guitar, which they accompany with the voice ; the gentlemen excel on the 101 different kinds of violin , the hautbois, flute , and bassoon : in this manner they form an orchestra , and their performance is such as would do no discredit to professors, whatever merit it might reflect on them .

Γαλατάς, Μπέγιογλου/Επαρχία Κωνσταντινούπολης, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2021-09-30 11:26:40 UTC

THOMAS MACGILL (p.133-4
"In company with some friends, I went to a small mosque in the road from Pera to Galata , to see the sacred dance of the Dervises, which really afforded us great amusement. The mosque, chapel, or dancing-room , for I know not which of these titles is the best suited to it, was of a circular form ; we sat in a small gallery, in which was stationed the music ; this consisted of two pair of small kettle drums, and four reeds or kind of flutes ; themusic of these reeds was very sweet and soft, and somemost melodious airswere played on them by dervises.

European Side, İstanbul, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2021-09-30 11:37:34 UTC

Sufi Music
Kudsi Erguner
(ney, drums)

Σμύρνη, Επαρχία Σμύρνης, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-07 11:28:04 UTC

Julius Griffiths (p.49/ 84) "I have already stated that the merchants of Smyrna live in a style of elegance much superior to that usually met with in Eng land. Game, fish , fruits of peculiar flavor, and wines which “ need no bush ,” supply their tables. A spirit of hospitality prevails amongst the families, who all promote the enjoyments and comforts of strangers ; and where a system of politeness and civility is so general, it would be neither candid nor consistent to particularise. At the different consuls' houses, however, it may be allowable to remark , that the societies are more nume rous, and ( what is not always a consequence ) more interesting, particularly to travellers of observation. The attractions ofan ad vantageous trade bring together natives of every part of Europe ; and the allurements of scientific research induce many learned individuals to explore the neighbouring countries. Those of distinction , engaged in either pursuit, are almost invariably re commended to the attention of some consul ; and an introduc tion to one leads as securely to many others, as the door of their morning chamber to the entrance of their saloons. In short, they vie with each other in the flattering and hospitable endeavor to welcome and amuse a stranger. I hardly know how to offer a more respectable panegyric on the society of Smyrna.

Küçük Ayasofya, 34122 Φατίχ/Επαρχία Κωνσταντινούπολης, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-07 11:35:15 UTC

Julius Griffiths (p.70/107) "The grand mosque of Sancta Sophia , immediately adjoining the Seraglio, is undoubtedly one of the finest buildings of its kind, but not, as the Greeks imagine it, superior to the church of St Peter at Rome, or St Paul in London . It is generally be lieved that Sancta Sophia cannot be visited by Christians without an order or firmaun from the Sultaun ; but a sequin or two, offered through the medium of any ambassador’s Janissary to the door -keeper, removes all difficulties, and silences the consci entious scruples of these disciples of Mahommed, who, at an un frequented hour, will admit, upon such terms, the pollution of their temple. I was much gratified by the sight of the interior, which is in the form of a Greek cross ; about two hundred and - ( 10 ) sixty -nine feet in length by about two hundred and forty -three in breadth . It is situated east and west ; so that formerly the sanctum sanctorum in the east was at the head of this cross. Up wards of sixty pillars form a colonade communicating with the galleries destined for females, which are nearly sixty feet wide. The principal dome is in an especial manner supported on each side by four large columns of granite, forty feet in height ; over the arches which connect these, a solid piece of masonry , in form of a wall, is built to support six shorter columns, which add se curity and elegance to this magnificent cupola : the boldness of the style of architecture may be conceived when the diameter is mentioned, being no less than one hundred and fifteen feet. On each side of this grand dome is another of smaller dimen sions, with three semidomes still less attached , as it were, to it, and appearing on the inside a continuation of the same roof, but on the outside totally distinct * The variety and ornamental beauty of the whole pile is, however, too difficult to be descri bed".

European Side, İstanbul, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-07 12:16:11 UTC

Julius Griffiths (p.96/137) In a small mosque, the centre of which is inclosed by an iron grating, these Dervishes perform that dance, or whirling move ment, which has been the frequent subject of observation ; and on the day when I attended, three of them persevered, with un remitting vehemence, until they absolutely fell down in all the agony of extreme fatigue, and were borne off by their comrades to the interior of their dwelling. The ceremony began by a number of the brothers seating themselves in a circle ; then a dervish, repeating sentences from the Koran, walked round within the circle, and by degrees in creasing his steps, at length whirled with a velocity scarcely cre dible : four others at this time joined the exercise ; and all were equally zealous in their endeavors to support this laborious mo tion as long as their strength permitted it . In rather less than an hour the three had fallen , and the exercise closed".

Anatolian Side, İstanbul, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-07 12:22:53 UTC

Julius Griffiths (p.132-3/ 173-4)The Mussulmauns are enjoined to pray five times in the course of twenty - four hours ; viz. at day -break, when they term their prayers Sabab Namazee; at noon , Eülab Namazee ; at three o'clock in the afternoon , Ikimdee Namazee; at sun - set, Aschaum Na mazec ; and at midnight, Yathsee Namazee. It is more regular and proper to attend the mosque for these purposes ; but thata ceremony may be dispensed with , and the prayers said wherever the Mussulmaun may chance to be at the time. The Moubez zim, however, regularly cries out from the minareh or steeple of the mosque, at the appointed hours, in a voice strengthened by custom far beyond the tone of voices in general : Allah' u ekber ! Allah' u ' ekber ! Allah' u ekber ! Allahu ekber ! Esch ' hed' u enné la ilah ' i il Allah ! God most high ! God most high ! God mosthigh ! God most high ! I attest there is no other God but God ! The repetitions are intended to impress the mind of the hearers with the solein importance of the occasion ; and the invitation commences and finishes with the name of God, to ( 133 ) -- show that he is the beginning and end of all things, and to ex cite all true believers to remember that they should neither un dertake nor conclude any one object which had not in view the honor and glory of his name.

Χαλέπι, Συρία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-07 12:42:09 UTC

Julius Griffiths (p. 334-5/ 375-6)"In symmetrical arrangement of the streets, and in the interior elegance of the houses, there is no city under the Turkish . go vernment which equals Aleppo. [...] The language of society is chiefly Italian ; and the servants , who are in general Armenians or Greeks, speak the Lingua Franca. The coffeehouses are also superior, and frequented by almost all the inhabitants, excepting those of the highest rank. The story -tellers are eminent in their line ; and, in addition to this never - failing amusement, concerts and puppet-shows invite the idler to take a seat upon the elevated platform of the coffeehouse . The musical performance is conducted by six persons ; whose in struments are, an Arab fiddle, two small drums, which are beat occasionally with the fingers instead of drumsticks, a dervishe's flute, a guittar, a tambour de Basque, and a dulcimer. They play in unison, and make no pause even when they change their tunes ; appear to be tolerably good timeists ; and some ofthem generally sing during part of the performance : but the whole is to me, I confess, a very indifferent and unintertaining exhibi ( 337 ) ition. The puppet- show , however, is admirably well conducted , in the manner of Chinese shadows ; and were it not for the inde cency of Punch , who is called Kara Guze, would be intitled to as much praise as exhibitions of that nature merit. Detaching these indecorous sallies of the puppet, Kara Guze appears some times as an useful satyrist, and holds out to public derision the follies ofindividuals, or to public scorn and detection their vices. Unfortunately the peccadillos of authority are sheltered from his attacks by the fear of the bastinado ; and Kara Guze seldom ventures to hint at the infamous conduct of a Cadee until his re moval from power, and consequent flight from the city, ensures the safety of the satyrist".

Συρία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-07 12:56:50 UTC

Julius Griffiths (p.357/398) [coffee at the dessert] "The first occupation, after coming to the ground, is to procure coffee ; and this is done in a manner somewhat peculiar. Al most over the whole Desart may be found dried camels' dung, which serves the Arabs for fuel. A small quantity is imme diately collected , and lighted by means of a fungus, called by the French amadou, with which every Arab is provided, and which, upon the smallest spark´elicited from flint and steel, takes fire. The coffee, ground or beaten to an impalpable powder, is preserved, closely pressed down in a wooden box , and the quantity required for use is scraped from the surface by means of a wooden spoon . Two small coffee -pots are employed : in one is boiled the water, generally mixed with the remaining coffee of a former meal ; in the other, is put the fresh powder, which is sometimes placed near the fire, to become heated be fore the boiling water is added to it . The mixture is then boil ed two or three times, taking care to pour a few drops of cold water upon it the last time, or to place a cloth dipped in cold water over it : it is then allowed to subside, and afterwards poured into the coffee- pot which contained only the boiling water, or served out without any further precaution ; thick coffee not being so much disliked amongst the Turks and Arabs as in our drawing -rooms"

Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-11 13:47:58 UTC

THOMAS MACGILL (p.95/120)
Smyrna, April 1804.
In Turkey , public amusements are almost prohibited to the strangers there. The Turks e such a turbulent set of mortals, that nothing would keep them under proper restraint ; only a few years back , some equestrian performers made an ex hibition at Smyrna, which was attended with the most disastrous consequences ; a quarrel ensued, and the whole of the Frank street was set on fire , and re duced to ashes.

Κωνσταντινούπολη, Επαρχία Κωνσταντινούπολης, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-11 14:23:39 UTC

THOMAS MACGILL (ΒΙΒΛΙΟ 2, p.122)

“ St. Sophia is a mosque justly esteem ed amongst the most valuable treasures about Constantinople . Constantine the Great built this temple in honor of the divine wisdom , and dedicated it to St. Sophia . In a dreadful sedition which arose in the capital, St. Sophia wasdemo, lished and almost reduced to ashes : the emperor Justinian , anxious for its pre servation , re-built it with greater sump tuousness and elegance ; it has eight entrances, including the porch of St. 122 LETTER XXXIII. Sophia , five of which are in general shut ; the porch is thirty two feet wide. The entrance to the temple is by nine doors of bronze, which have been at someperiod gilt : they are magnificently wrought in relief; the one in the centre is eighteen feet high.

Βενετία, Ιταλία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-11 14:32:27 UTC

THOMAS MACGILL (ΒΙΒΛΊΟ 2, p.180)

All ships arriving in any Christian port of the Mediterranean, are obliged to sub mit to a strict scrutiny, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they come from in fected ports, or have cargoes on board subject to quarantine. This scrutiny is attended to with peculiar strictness on the northern shores of the Mediterranean, on account of their more frequent and direct intercourse with the countries where plague is supposed to originate. Going from Turkey to Italy, every ship, upon her arrival within the jurisdiction of his Imperial Majesty, hoists a yellow flag, as a signal that no boat may come on: board, nor any intercourse be permitted. with the shore whilst it continues flying. *

European Side, İstanbul, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-01-11 14:36:46 UTC

DMITRIE KANTEMIR
https://video.link/w/y0HBc

Dmitrie Kantemir (παράλληλο άκουσμα ίδιας εποχής)

Ο Καντεμίρης εισάγει στην θεωρητική του πραγματεία ένα σύστημα που εξηγεί την μουσική θεωρία της οθωμανικής μουσικής, χρησιμοποιώντας το tanbur, και αντικαθιστώντας το άλλοτε “ud”. Η Popescu (Preface, p.9) ότι αυτό σηματοδοτεί μια αλλαγή στην οθωμανική μουσική, και συμπεραίνει ότι το θεωρητικό σύστημα που καταγράφει ο Καντεμίρης, αντλεί ακριβώς από αυτή την νέα μουσική. Θεωρείται ανανεωτής, αλλά και θεμελιωτής της νέας μουσικής.

https://www.youtube.com/c/Makampedia/playlists

Makam Huseyini , είναι Το μακαμ που καταγράφει ο Καντεμίρης

Ιστορική Ηχογράφηση Tanburi Cemil Bey (1873-1916) στο yayli tanbur

(Ψηφιακή Μουσική Καταγραφή Βάσει Ακρόασης )

Cemil Bey - Taksim improvisation on Makam Huseyni - analysis (Yail Tanbur)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DuHnpQxyQU

Κωνσταντινούπολη, Επαρχία Κωνσταντινούπολης, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-02-21 06:53:56 UTC

Ottoman kettle drum (17th-19th centre)

It came from the Islamic Ottoman military band straight to the orchestras.

http://maviboncuk.blogspot.com/2012/10/ottoman-kettle-drums-kos-timpani.html

Άγιον Όρος, Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-04 11:00:46 UTC

Codex 1477 (1750-1760)
Artistic reconstruction of seven byzantine hymns recorded in five-line Partes notation in the manuscript Sinai 1477 (mid-18th century), probably on the basis of chanting by an Athonite monk.

Troya, Kalafat/Çanakkale Merkez/Επαρχία Τσανάκκαλε, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-09 11:40:39 UTC

FELLOWS, Charles. A journal written during an excursion in Asia Minor, Λονδίνο, John Murray, MDCCCXXXIX [=1839].
p.67

Επαρχία Τσανάκκαλε, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-09 11:45:35 UTC

Sheperds' ney in Asia Minor

FELLOWS, Charles. A journal written during an excursion in Asia Minor, Λονδίνο, John Murray, MDCCCXXXIX [=1839].
p.67

Ιθάκη, Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-17 10:41:31 UTC

John Galt "Letters from the Levante"/ LETTER VI (OFF TO ITHACA)

lyre with a bow

Τρίπολη, Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-17 16:17:20 UTC

JOHN GALT, LETTERS TO LeVANTE, p.91

During the course of this amazing service, the principal singer and musicians of the Seraglio arrived, and sung and played several pieces of very sweet Turkish music . Among others was a song, com posed by the late unfortunate Sultan Selim, the air of which was pleasingly simple and pathetic. I had heard of the Sultan's poetry before, a small collection of which has been published, and it is said to be interesting and tender. It consists chiefly of little sonnets, written after he was de posed, in which he contrasts the serenity of his retirement with the perils and anxieties of his former grandeur. It is somewhat curious, that the other great superior of the Mahomedans, the King of Persia, should at the same time have also been addicted to poetry. In the library of the India House, I have seen a very splendid copy of his effusions, which had been sent to Mrs. Company -no doubt for her critical opinion. After the songs, the servants of the officers, who were Albanians, danced a Macedonian reel, in which they exhibited several furious specimens of highland agility. The officers then took their leave, and I went to bed equally gratified by the hospitality of the Vizier, and the incidents of the entertainment.

Συρία

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-22 10:21:29 UTC

Συρία

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-22 10:41:46 UTC

Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-22 11:52:15 UTC

A great lover of music, Sultan Selim III was a composer and performer of significant talent. He created fourteen makam-s (melodic types), three of which are in current use today. Sixty-four compositions by Selim III are known today, some of which are part of the regular repertory of Turkish classical music performerance. Aside from composing music, Selim III also performed on the ney (reed flute) and tanbur (long-necked, fretted lute).
As a patron of the arts, Selim III encouraged musicians of his day, including Dede Efendi and Baba Hamparsum. The Hamparsum notation system that Selim commissioned became the dominant notation for Turkish and Armenian music. His name is associated with a school in Classical Turkish Music due to the revival and rebirth of music at his cou

HFFC+X7 Κέα, Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-22 12:17:24 UTC

Lyre and Lute - nisiotiki zygia (island duo)

Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-22 12:20:47 UTC

Anatolian Side, İstanbul, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-22 13:04:04 UTC

Κωνσταντινούπολη, Επαρχία Κωνσταντινούπολης, Τουρκία

sofiasvarna — 2022-03-22 13:17:57 UTC

Σε ήχο Πλάγιο Τέταρτο- Maqam Husseyni

Περιφέρεια Πελοποννήσου, Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-04-06 09:05:32 UTC

One of the four "byzantine" motets of Guillaume du Fay about the Fall of Constantinople.
Capella Romana, Alexander Lingas, The Fall of Constantinople (2016)

Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση Πελοποννήσου, Δυτικής Ελλάδας και Ιονίου, Ελλάδα

sofiasvarna — 2022-04-06 11:31:52 UTC

"Ο ΄θεός ήλθοσαν έθνη", Θρήνος για την Πτώση της Κωνσταντινούπολης, Μανουήλ Δούκας Χρυσάφης
Capella Romana, Alexander Lingas, "Music of Byzantium" (2016)

Τραπάνι, Ιταλία

sofiasvarna — 2022-04-28 08:01:12 UTC

John Galt

"In passing through a mean lane of this town, I was surprised by an incident, that has several times since amused my imagination. A fat plain-looking woman, spinning with a distaff at her window, was singing to herself, with all the flourishes and elegance of a well taught public singer. I halted for a short time, to listen ; and was about to conclude, hypothetically, that it was not in painting and sculpture only that the Trapanese excelled" [...]
[...] she was the prima donna of the theatre, and esteemed one of the best singers in the kingdom [...]
[...] This woman was the first Sicilian that I had heard singing off the stage ; and I am not a little at a loss to dis cover upon what possible grounds the nation can be considered musical [...]

Κατάνια, Ιταλία

sofiasvarna — 2022-04-28 09:42:52 UTC

John Galt
CATANIA

"The church belonging to this monastery is very grand ; were the design completed, it would be one of the largest in Europe. The organ is truly exquisite ; and I was fortunate enough to hear the whole extent and variety of its powers. It is said to be the finest in the world : it is, by far, the noblest I ever heard. The effect of the sonata, which is performed in order to shew the whole genius of the instrument, may be compared to the course of a river from the fountain -head to the sea. It begins with a sweet little trilling move ment, like the sound of waters trickling in a far remote pastoral upland. The breadth of harmony increases, and the mind is excited to activity, while the introduction of a delightful echo suggests the images of a rapid stream , and bands of huntsmen , with horns and hounds, coursing the banks. Continuing still to rise and spread, the music takes a more regular character, and fills the imagination with the notion of a Thames, covered with moving vessels, flowing through a multitudinous city. Occasional military movements gra dually open all the fountains of the instrument; and the full tide, deepening and rolling on, terminates in a finalé so vast, so various, so extraordinary an effusion of harmony, that it can be compared only to the great expanse of the ocean agitated by a tempest, and the astonishing turbulence of a Trafalgarian battle.

Εις Σε ψηλά Βουνά

sofiasvarna — 2024-11-05 07:31:35 UTC

Ανασύνθεση κοσμικής Μεταβυζαντινής μουσικής από αγιορείτικα χειρόγραφα

Σε Ψηλό βουνό

sofiasvarna — 2024-11-05 07:32:36 UTC

Ριζίτικο της προφορικής παράδοσης

"Lamento di Tristano"

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 14:39:44 UTC

Ibn Battuta, The Traveler of Islam

Track 5 "1324 Death of Marco Polo"

"Greek Lament, Asia Minor"

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 15:09:24 UTC

Ibn Battuta, The Traveler of Islam

Katerina Papadopoulou, voice

1304 Tangier

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 15:14:15 UTC

Ibn Battuta, The Traveler of Islam

Oud Taksim, Driss El Maloumi

"Rosa das Rosas"

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 19:54:06 UTC

Cantigas de Santa Maria

"Lama Bada Yatathana"

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 19:58:45 UTC

Carrefour de la Mediterranee

Ensemble Constantinople

En Chordais

"La rosa enflorece"

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 20:25:19 UTC

Sephadi Traditional

"Apo Xeno Meros"

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 20:28:42 UTC

Katerina Papadopoulou & Hesperion XXI

"Oria Mu Pisulina"

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 20:39:51 UTC

L' Arpeggiata

Mediterraneo

Cello Suites on the Cretan Lyra

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 21:11:06 UTC

J.S. Bach/ George Kaloudis

Cello Suite n.1, BWV 1007: I. Prelude

The voice of Hagia Sophia

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 21:30:48 UTC

Stanford University

Nisabur Pesrev

sofiasvarna — 2025-01-07 21:45:58 UTC

Ex Silentio

Λονδίνο, Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο

sofiasvarna — 2026-01-26 20:27:24 UTC

Joseph Haydn

London Symphony n.104