Sarband, an ensemble for authentic oriental music, was formed in 1986 by ethnomusicologist Vladimir Ivanoff, who also serves as its musical director.
Critical Reception
This album, "Dream of the Orient," received the prestigious Echo Award in 2003 for its unique concept.
Performer Biography
Concerto Köln, founded in 1985, initially focused on 18th and early 19th-century music, but its players were keen to extend their musical horizons.
Composition History
The project "Dream of the Orient" was jointly planned by Concerto Köln and Sarband in the late 1990s to document the variance between Western European ideas of 'Turkish' music and the reality on the Bosporus.
Historical Context
By the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire, centered at the Sublime Porte in Istanbul, had lost its threatening aspect to Western Europe but exerted considerable cultural fascination.
Composer's Artistic Vision
According to Vladimir Ivanoff, the ability to improvise is an important requirement for a correct understanding of oriental music.
Interpretation
The project involved European musicians from Concerto Köln playing alongside Turkish colleagues from Sarband, who had a different, more relaxed approach to tempo and brought a greater sense of calm.
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