Commissioned by NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman “The Rise Up: Stories of Strife, Struggle and Inspiration” is an extended composition that combines traditional Turkish instruments and voices with the jazz language in a cosmopolitan and an internalized fashion.
Music expression
Conducted by Ken Schaphorst
All movements and sections composed and arranged by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol (Mehteran publishing, ASCAP)
I have been saddened and personally affected by the recent political turmoil and malignant stereotyping of Muslims and minority communities in the US lately. As a result, I decided to construct this piece around three episodes from Middle Eastern history which chronicle dark and traumatic events followed by human inspiration and/or transcendental creation in order to demonstrate my belief and hope that we, humanity will rise up and above these difficult times too…
Each episode/movement is comprised of 3 pieces, as a result of which the entire composition is made up of 9 non-stop sections. The first narrative centers around the great 13th century Sufi poet Mevlana Celaleddin-i RUMI, composer of the most beautiful mystical poetry ever written after the murder of Shams (lit. “sun” in Arabic), his beloved teacher and friend. The second story comes from the traditions of the SEPHARDIM, Jews expelled from Spain but welcomed by the Ottomans, leading to a cultural flowering treasured to this day. The third narrative tells the story of Mimar SINAN, forcibly taken by the Ottomans as a young Orthodox Christian boy, who came to embrace his new Muslim identity and rose to great heights in mid-16th century as the master architect of some of the greatest mosques in the world.
Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol
All movements and sections composed and arranged by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol (Mehteran publishing, ASCAP)
I have been saddened and personally affected by the recent political turmoil and malignant stereotyping of Muslims and minority communities in the US lately. As a result, I decided to construct this piece around three episodes from Middle Eastern history which chronicle dark and traumatic events followed by human inspiration and/or transcendental creation in order to demonstrate my belief and hope that we, humanity will rise up and above these difficult times too…
Each episode/movement is comprised of 3 pieces, as a result of which the entire composition is made up of 9 non-stop sections. The first narrative centers around the great 13th century Sufi poet Mevlana Celaleddin-i RUMI, composer of the most beautiful mystical poetry ever written after the murder of Shams (lit. “sun” in Arabic), his beloved teacher and friend. The second story comes from the traditions of the SEPHARDIM, Jews expelled from Spain but welcomed by the Ottomans, leading to a cultural flowering treasured to this day. The third narrative tells the story of Mimar SINAN, forcibly taken by the Ottomans as a young Orthodox Christian boy, who came to embrace his new Muslim identity and rose to great heights in mid-16th century as the master architect of some of the greatest mosques in the world.
Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol
released August 21, 2020
Produced by Kabir Sehgal and Doug Davis
This album was recorded at New England Conservatory (Boston, MA) during September 2019 — additional recordings took place at Futura Productions (Roslindale, MA) during January 2020.
Initial sessions at New England Conservatory recorded by Aaron Saidizand, supervised by John Weston, and assisted by Travis Karpak. Additional sessions at Futura Productions recorded by John Weston.
Edited by John Weston
Mixed by John Weston and Oscar Autie
Mastered by Oscar Auite
Graphic art and design by Cem Eskinazi
Many thanks to Fatma Durmaz Yılbirlik, Kabir Sehgal, John Weston, Carole Friedman, Stef Kotsonis, and Serap Kantarcı Sanlıkol for their continued belief and support.
This album is supported by grants from the New England Conservatory, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, The American Turkish Society, and a 2020 Project Grant from New Music USA.
Produced by Kabir Sehgal and Doug Davis
This album was recorded at New England Conservatory (Boston, MA) during September 2019 — additional recordings took place at Futura Productions (Roslindale, MA) during January 2020.
Initial sessions at New England Conservatory recorded by Aaron Saidizand, supervised by John Weston, and assisted by Travis Karpak. Additional sessions at Futura Productions recorded by John Weston.
Edited by John Weston
Mixed by John Weston and Oscar Autie
Mastered by Oscar Auite
Graphic art and design by Cem Eskinazi
Many thanks to Fatma Durmaz Yılbirlik, Kabir Sehgal, John Weston, Carole Friedman, Stef Kotsonis, and Serap Kantarcı Sanlıkol for their continued belief and support.
This album is supported by grants from the New England Conservatory, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, The American Turkish Society, and a 2020 Project Grant from New Music USA.
