Grachtenfestival X Amarte: HarmonEast Ensemble

This year, Amarte collaborates once again with the Grachtenfestival to provide a platform for young musicians to showcase their talent. With the Grachtenfestival X Amarte: Roots outside of Europe open call, we aim to present a wide range of musical styles from around the world. HarmonEast Ensemble is one of the selected musical acts.

In the program Echoes of the Court, the HarmonEast Ensemble blends the refined sounds of Ottoman court music with the elegance of European Baroque. With a unique lineup of ney, piano, cello, viola, and percussion, the ensemble explores how music has moved between cultures over the centuries.

Works by Henry Purcell, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Dede Efendi, Callisto Guatelli, and Şerif Muhittin Targan reveal the surprising connections between European and Ottoman court cultures. The warm, meditative sound of the ney and the expressive possibilities of the piano create a remarkable combination.

• Julia Tavit (piano)
• Sukru Kirtis (ney – Turkish reed flute)
• Wilker Paredes (viola)
• Beste Yildiz (cello)
• Veysel Dzhesur (percussion)