Constantinople (ensemble) explained

Constantinople
Origin:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genre:World music
Years Active:2001-present
Label:ATMA Classique, Analekta
Website:https://constantinople.ca/en
Module:JUNO Awards - Winner of the Best Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble)

Constantinople is a Montreal-based early music and middle eastern music ensemble. The group was formed in 1988 by brothers Kiya Tabassian (setar) and Ziya Tabassian (tombak). The sétar and tombak are complemented by viola da gamba, renaissance cornett, and daf.[1] [2] [3]

In its creations, Constantinople collaborates with prominent figures in the music industry such as Kayhan Kalhor, Ablaye Cissoko, Ghalia Benali, Françoise Atlan, Hana Blažíková, Shashank Subramanyam, and Marco Beasley.

Constantinople produces three or four new works each year and travels to collaborate with top musicians based on project requirements. These creations form the regular season presented in Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, and Toronto. Subsequently, the works are featured in performance tours across Canada and internationally. Some of these creations are also recorded. Over the years, Constantinople has developed nearly 60 creations, with 21 being recorded, and has toured in more than 290 cities across 57 countries.

Two of its most recent creations include "Traversées," featuring Ablaye Cissoko, and "Chants d'Espoir" with Kayhan Kalhor.[4]

In 2024, the Constantinople ensemble won the 2024 JUNO Awards for the Best Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) with Il Ponte di Leonardo.

Historic

The musical ensemble was created in 2001 by the Iranian-Canadian brothers, Kiya and Ziya Tabassian, who arrived in Quebec as teenagers.[5]

Kiya Tabassian is the artistic director of the ensemble. Having arrived in Montreal in 1990 at the age of 14, he grew up in Iran. At the age of 12, Kiya Tabassian discovered and immediately became passionate about the setâr. The desire to create and compose music emerged through his practice of the instrument; even at a young age, he reinterpreted pieces from the traditional repertoire of Persian music.

The musical project of Constantinople revolves around a perpetual blending of cultures and encounters between musicians from around the world. Rather than simply recomposing ancient and traditional music, the ensemble focuses on creating entirely new works inspired by various places and periods.[6]

Constantinople's first album was released in 2001 under the ATMA Classique label. Its discography counts 21 albums in 2023.[7]

Constantinople stands as one of the most active Montreal-based ensembles on the international stage, having performed in renowned venues and festivals worldwide:

Europe

America

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Members

Kiya Tabassian, born in Tehran in 1976, serves as the artistic director of the ensemble.[8] He is frequently joined by certain musicians in many projects, including Didem Başar (kanun), Patrick Graham (percussions), Tanya LaPerrière (viola d'amore), and Hamin Honari (percussions).

Pieces and Instruments

The Constantinople ensemble aims to interpret a diverse repertoire spanning medieval, baroque, and contemporary aesthetics, from the Mediterranean Europe to the East. With over 50 creations to its credit, the ensemble has performed concerts in more than 55 countries. In "Passages," the ensemble showcases the Iranian setâr, Turkish kamancheh, Lebanese oud, Persian tombak, and kanun.[9]

Discography

Notes and References

  1. Goldberg: Early Music Magazine - Issues 38-39 -2006 - Page 83 "This anthology provides an excellent introduction to Alma's Constantinople collection, which, with the release of "Carrefour de la Mediterranee" featuring the Greek ensemble En Chordais as well as Kiya Tabassian's Ensemble ...
  2. Linda Ainouche - 2011 Le tour d'Asie à Montréal 2896653945 - Page 18 Ensemble Constantinople www.myspace.com/constantinopleensemble En 1998, les frères Ziya et Kiya Tabassian ont lancé un groupe qui explore un large répertoire. La musique savante de la Perse, celle du Moyen Âge et de la Renaissance en Europe, ainsi que des œuvres contemporaines, sont métissées pour donner un son si particulier, plein de couleurs, de tendresse et de punch! L'Ensemble Constantinople joue des instruments typiquement iraniens : le sétar, le tombak, la viole de gambe, le cornet à bouquins, le daf. Leurs représentations laissent libre cours à l'improvisation et à la création. Extraordinaire
  3. Early Music America: The Magazine of Historical Performance 2002 Azema is known also for her work with Constantinople, another very active Montreal ensemble. Formed by the brothers Kiya Tabassian (setar) and Ziya Tabassian (tombak) of Iranian origin, the ensemble takes a very personal approach to the "
  4. Web site: Traversées . 2024-01-04 . Constantinople . en-CA.
  5. News: Rodgers . Caroline . 2014-10-29 . Constantinople: métissages baroques . 2024-01-04 . La Presse . fr-CA.
  6. Beaucage . Réjean . March 2015 . Kiya Tabassian, musicien sans frontières . La Scena Musicale . 20 . 5 . 8-11.
  7. Web site: Toute la discographie de Constantinople . 2024-01-04 . Constantinople . fr-CA.
  8. Web site: Kiya Tabassian, artistic director . 2024-01-04 . Constantinople . en-CA.
  9. Web site: ICI.Radio-Canada.ca . Zone Aucun thème sélectionné- . 2010-02-24 . Musique persane et flamenco . 2024-01-04 . Radio-Canada . fr-ca.

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