Kiya Tabassian News
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2024-04-24
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2023-06-06 10:18:00
A Rumi with a view of Claude Vivier
Montreal-based Constantinople Ensemble is a group of musicians who chose the journey, not only geographical, but also historical, cultural, temporal, and inner, as their cornerstone, drawing inspiration from all sources and aiming for distant horizons. To the cynic this vision will sound trite. But unlike so many in the world of contemporary art music, the Constantinople Ensemble under their music director Kiya Tabassian put their music where their mouth is. Their recently-released album In the Footsteps of Rumi on the innovative Glossa label may be predictable in subject matter. But the core ensemble of setar (Persian lute), kanun (Turkish zither), percussion, and baroque violin and viola d'amore is far from predictable. For the exquisite Rumi settings in Persian and Arabic they are joined by Tunisian singer Ghalia Benali in an album that provides a refreshingly astute viewpoint on the over-exposed Rumi. Even further off the predictability scale is […]
2016-06-15 09:35:00
Jardins Migrateurs is a new CD from Montreal-based Ensemble Constantinople (Iranian setar and tombak, and viola da gamba) and Sengalese kora master Ablaye Cissoko - sample the album here. The title refers to the travelling gardens - jardins migrateurs - that invoked paradise in Persian culture. These travelling gardens found expression in the walled gardens of Moroccan riads and reached their apogee in Granada's Alhambra. Setar player Kiya Tabassian's note for the track Traversées (Crossings) contains a very important message: Drawn from the manuscript Luz, y Norte by travelling musician Ruiz de Ribayaz, together with a traditional piece, this work is dedicate to the thousands of migrants who left Africa for the New World during the colonial era. These ocean crossings gave birth to a new society. The destiny of mankind lies in its quest for the new.No review samples used in this post. Any copyrighted material is included as […]
2015-06-03 20:00:00
This Week in Montreal - June 1 to 7
Kiya Tabassian (Photo: Michel Pinault) This Week in Montreal - June 1 to 7 Constantinople – The Golden DoorFrom yesterday's Constantinople to the Istanbul of today, Kiya Tabassian and his musicians offer a musical portrait of this luminous city situated between East and West. The Golden Door's classical and popular music illustrates the cultural wealth and diversity that have made this city a crossroad of civilizations. Produced by Constantinople, in collaboration with Fondation Arte Musica. Salle Bourgie, June 4, 8 pm. www.bourgiehall.ca The Violons du Roy (Photo: Brigitte Thériault) Violons du Roy - Mozart in Paris The record by the Violons du Roy and the young harpist Valerie Milot has been critically acclaimed. Milot joins the orchestra again, under the direction of Mathieu Lussier, to interpret Boieldieu's charming concerto, an essential part of the harp repertoire. Also on the program: […]
2015-06-03 19:44:00
Cette semaine à Montréal du 1 au 7 juin
Valérie Milot (Photo: Frédérik Robitaille) Cette semaine à Montréal du 1 au 7 juin Constantinople - La porte d'orDe la Constantinople d’hier à l’Istanbul d’aujourd’hui, Kiya Tabassian et ses musiciens proposent un portrait musical de cette ville lumineuse sise entre l’Orient et l’Occident Les musiques savantes et populaires de la Porte d’or illustrent la richesse et la diversité culturelles qui ont fait de cette ville le carrefour des civilisations. Production de Constantinople, en collaboration avec la Fondation Arte Musica. Salle Bourgie, 4 juin, 20 h. www.sallebourgie.ca Violons du Roy - Mozart à ParisLe disque des Violons du Roy et de la jeune harpiste Valérie Milot a été acclamé par la critique.Milot retrouve l’orchestre, sous la direction de Mathieu Lussier, pour interpréter le charmant concerto de Boieldieu, un incontournable du répertoire pour harpe. […]