A pleasant 'culture shock'
Scythian Warrior | Leiderdorp, Holland | 10/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Track Listings (23) - Disc #1