Instrument: Oud

Beethoven meets Ottoman composer Dede Efendi in a contemporary take on the Pastoral Symphony in Istanbul. 

In a highly virtuosic programme, Jospeh Tawadros challenged our expectations of the oud, through his own improvisatory compositions, as well as in a new commission from Jessica Wells.

The complexities of Istanbul's rich culture and history, explored in a heady mixture of music from Bach to Afganistan, played by the Melodies of Istanbul Orchestra, directed by Hakan Güngör. 

Jordi Savall and Dimitri Psonis display virtuosity and thoughtfulness in bringing us music from the glory days of the Ottoman Empire.

Sounds of Mali, Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Madagascar blended to perfection with Colombia to create a masterpiece. 

Jordi Savall directs a multi-lingual, multi-cultural voyage through Europe's war-torn past.

After a long career performing and recording most of the canon of western European early music, in recent years Jordi Savall has turned his attentions to the relationships of music in the Middle East, northern Africa, Spain and the Balkan countries.