Griot Ballaké Sissoko is descended from a family of kora masters – the 21-string lute-bridge-harp from the Mandinka culture. Sissoko was only 13 when he joined the Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali, the orchestra led by his father. He grew to become a much demanded musician either as soloist or when playing alongside artists such as Toumani Diabaté, Taj Mahal, Ludovico Einaudi and Vincent Ségal. His international reputation is down to the delicacy and complexity of his playing and his incredible talent for improvisation.
Musical prodigy Göksel Baktagir has become a much-acclaimed productive composer and has already some 400 works to his name. He has travelled the world as one of Turkey’s master qanun players, the instrument which in his playing he explores its possibilities and pushes back borders and which he has also introduced in genres such as jazz and new age. An evening in which two subtle musical worlds meet and enter into dialogue with one another.
Part of the Qanun Dialogues concertseries
قانون (Qanun) means "law" in Arabic. The instrument was given its name because it sets the pitch for the other instruments and singer in traditional ensembles. Although the qanun can be traced as far back as the 10th century and originates from the Middle-East, it is also played in the Maghreb, West Africa and Central Asia as well as in the southeast of Europe. Even today, the 78-string trapeze-shaped wooden instrument still plays a key role in Arab and Turkish classical music. This season Moussem and BOZAR proudly present leading qanun players in ensemble, in duo and in solo concerts.
Griot Ballaké Sissoko is descended from a family of kora masters – the 21-string lute-bridge-harp from the Mandinka culture. Sissoko was only 13 when he joined the Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali, the orchestra led by his father. He grew to become a much demanded musician either as soloist or when playing alongside artists such as Toumani Diabaté, Taj Mahal, Ludovico Einaudi and Vincent Ségal. His international reputation is down to the delicacy and complexity of his playing and his incredible talent for improvisation.
Musical prodigy Göksel Baktagir has become a much-acclaimed productive composer and has already some 400 works to his name. He has travelled the world as one of Turkey’s master qanun players, the instrument which in his playing he explores its possibilities and pushes back borders and which he has also introduced in genres such as jazz and new age. An evening in which two subtle musical worlds meet and enter into dialogue with one another.
Part of the Qanun Dialogues concertseries
قانون (Qanun) means "law" in Arabic. The instrument was given its name because it sets the pitch for the other instruments and singer in traditional ensembles. Although the qanun can be traced as far back as the 10th century and originates from the Middle-East, it is also played in the Maghreb, West Africa and Central Asia as well as in the southeast of Europe. Even today, the 78-string trapeze-shaped wooden instrument still plays a key role in Arab and Turkish classical music. This season Moussem and BOZAR proudly present leading qanun players in ensemble, in duo and in solo concerts.
