Musical storytelling is central to the Alevi faith, with mystical poems and musical ballads (deyisler, nefesler) being orally passed down from generation to generation over many centuries.
These traditional folk songs, which can be heard all across Anatolia (modern Turkiye), pay homage to the core philosophy of Alevism, which is based on love, tolerance and a respect for humanity and nature.
At the end of April, two of the UK’s finest purveyors of Alevi music, Çiğdem Aslan and Tahir Palalı, will be presenting a night of songs reflecting Alevi mysticism and folk music that have been popular from the 14th century to the present day.
Tahir Palalı plays a variety of stringed instruments, including bağlama and the three-stringed instrument tembur, also known as a dede sazı or kopuz. As a child, Tahir spent his early childhood in Nurhak and Elbistan (Turkiye), where he was musically influenced by the local Alevi minstrels (aşık) and elders (dedes), which helped him to develop a unique yet authentic musical style.
Çiğdem Aslan is an Istanbul-born artist who sings in multiple languages and regional styles. Coming from a Kurdish Alevi background, where music plays a central role, Çiğdem grew up with the rich sounds of her culture alongside the wonderfully diverse soundscapes of Istanbul and her adopted home of London.
The duo have collaborated many times over the years, captivating audiences as they perform the music of their ancestors. They will be joined by two special guest artists for their Green Note concert:
Gülseven Medar, a versatile vocal artist hailing from Turkiye who stands as a beacon of Anatolian and Mesopotamian musical traditions. Graduating from Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music State Conservatory with distinction, Gülseven has honed her craft under the tutelage of renowned mentors.
Her repertoire spans Kurdish, Turkish, Zazaki, Armenian, Arabic, and Hebrew folk songs, and she has captivated audiences worldwide.
Ali Tekbaş was born in Iraq in 1981, before migrating to Turkiye with his family, where he immersed himself in the rich musical heritage of his roots, both as a performer and as an academic. He is celebrated for his expertise in various forms of Hakkari music and his collaborations with esteemed artists.
From his early involvement in ethnographic fieldwork and as a performer, Ali has been instrumental in ensuring the continued vitality of Kurdish musical traditions.
Concert Details
Title: Anatolian Echoes
Date: Sunday 28 April 2024
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Green Note, 106 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN
Admission: £15 + £1.50 booking fee.
The venue comprises of both seated and standing space, with a limited number of seats. These are allocated on a first come first served basis, so if you’d like a seat, please ensure you arrive early.
Tickets are non-refundable, EXCEPT in the case of a show being cancelled. In certain circumstances, credit notes will be issued. Please see www.greennote.co.uk for full refund policy and other venue and event details.
Tickets: buy online from Ticketweb – click here
