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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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World Routes

Music: World

Programme exploring music from around the world

Programme exploring music from around the world, featuring interviews with performers, live concerts, monthly CD reviews and special location reports

World Routes: World Routes in Istanbul

World Routes: World Routes in Istanbul: Episode 1: Selim Sesler, troubadour songs and an Alevi ceremony

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Selim Sesler, troubadour songs and an Alevi ceremony

Episode 1

Episode 1: Selim Sesler, troubadour songs and an Alevi ceremony

World Routes in Istanbul

BBC Radio 3 - World Routes, World Routes in Istanbul, Selim Sesler, troubadour songs and an Alevi ceremony

Moshe Morad visits Istanbul and presents music from gypsy clarinettist Selim Sesler.

Moshe Morad visits Istanbul in search of traditional music. With a live session from gypsy clarinettist Selim Sesler, troubador songs and a recording of and Alevi ceremony.

Istanbul is a European Capital of Culture for 2010 and in the first of two programmes Moshe Morad goes in search of traditional music in this melting-pot of peoples and cultures. Including a live session at Badehane's bar with gypsy clarinettist Selim Sesler, troubadour songs recorded in one of the city's oldest hamams, and a rare recording of an Alevi ceremony. A minority branch of Shia Islam, the Alevis controversially believe in equality between men and women, and meet once a week for music and mass-wailing. 
Istanbul is a rich and diverse meeting point for musicians in Turkey, and it's a city where you can find every type of Turkish traditional music represented. It's also a cross-roads between Europe and Asia, East and West.  Moshe Morad explores this rich mix and records sessions with many of Turkey's top musicians – including one of the best clarinettists in the world (Selim Sesler), and Saz player Cengiz Ozkan. The music and the city are brought to life in a number of atmospheric settings such as the 15th Century bath-house Cemberlitas, an Alebi ceremony and the tiny bar called Badehane - in a quiet street away from the hustle and bustle of Taksim, it's where Selim Sesler has played every Wednesday night for nearly a decade. Moshe learns about some of Turkey's best-loved traditional instruments such as the kamanche and the saz, hears the stories behind the music, and finds out from the people who live there what Istanbul means to them. Is this vibrant city an island in Turkey, is it in Europe or Asia, and is it secular or religious?

Presented by Moshe Morad
Produced by James Parkin

Tel. 020 7765 4661 
Fax. 020 7765 5052 
e-mail world.routes@bbc.co.uk

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Moshe Morad goes in search of traditional music in Istanbul

Moshe Morad goes in search of traditional music in Istanbul. This city, which is a melting-pot of many peoples and cultures, is a European Capital of Culture in 2010

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Episode 1: Selim Sesler, troubadour songs and an Alevi ceremony

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