Yurdal Tokcan playing the oud and Göksel Baktagir for the qanun are offering a total experience of Turkish classical music. In a fraternal musical dialogue and with gentle charm they convey the finesse and subtlety of music dating back to the late 10th century. The qanun, a plucked zither sometimes called an eastern harp, is a key instrument for this musical art form. And there could be no better partner than the oud, a plucked luth; together they bring brilliance to repertoire based mainly on the highly complex modal system known as the makam. Yurdal Tokcan and Göksel Baktagir have been performing together since 1990, and work on different projects. For this latest appearance at the Théâtre des Abbesses, the duo will take the audience on a wonderful journey through time, covering the pure repertoire of the classical tradition continuing through to the more modern sounds of their own compositions.

Jacqueline Magnier