"The multiculturalism is not touristy, but rather sophisticated, informed, internalized" The Boston Globe
An ancient Turkish legend: Ergenekon is a cantata composed by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol for Children’s Chorus, chamber ensemble and soloists. Excerpts from the cantata can be found here. (The Love Theme is at 6:55)
Live recording from AudioFact’s last concert back in July 8, 2003 at the 10th Istanbul Jazz Festival.
This track is from AudioFact’s second album, entitled “Asitane” (Aura, 2003). “Dere geliyor dere” is a traditional Turkish folk song. This is a re-composition of the folk song by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol.
This composition by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol is from AudioFact’s first album, entitled “Black Spot” (Kalan, 1998).
PALS Children’s Chorus and chamber ensemble conducted by Johanna Hill Simpson (2002)
Choreography: Johanna Hill Simpson
Story conceived by Serap Kantarci Sanlıkol, adapted by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol, edited by Robert Labaree and Johanna Hill Simpson
PALS Children’s Chorus conducted by Johanna Hill Simpson (2005)
The many layers of communal memory in this program proceed through Greek Orthodox music, secular Greek music, Crusader songs, music of the Ottoman ceremonial and military ensembles, Ottoman court music, Sufi ceremonial music, Turkish folk music, Sephardic Jewish songs, urban music of the Armenians and Turks, and finally contemporary urban popular music full of longing and protest. On its own, each piece may communicate celebration, love, devotion or military might, but taken together, the mood of melancholy is unmistakable, which by now has been permanently woven into the fabric of this thriving cosmopolitan city.