EIF Review: Derya Türkan & Friends

Presented as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Edinburgh International Festival and the Aga Khan Music Programme, Derya Türkan & Friends offered a transcendent evening at The Hub. Performing together in this specific configuration for the very first time, the ensemble demonstrated an astounding level of intuitive connection. The programme revived 17th-century musical manuscripts from Ottoman Constantinople, transcribed by two historical figures: Polish convert Ali Ufkî and Moldavian prince Dimitrie Cantemir. So writes Alena Shmakova for theQR.co.uk…

Led by Derya Türkan on the kemençe (a traditional three-stringed bow fiddle), the ensemble breathed contemporary vitality into these centuries-old works. Türkan was joined by master instrumentalists Yurdal Tokcan on the resonant oud (lute), Feras Charestan on the shimmering qanun (zither), and Basel Rajoub, whose expressive soprano saxophone and percussion (derbouka and daf) added a rich cross-cultural dimension. From the opening notes, The Hub’s Main Hall seemed to dissolve, transporting the audience straight into an imperial Ottoman salon.

The performance was a fluid blend of reflective melodies and playful, dance-like rhythms. Vocalist Dilek Türkan was a standout highlight: powerful yet immensely tender, her soaring, silky timbre brought a lyrical clarity that held the room spellbound. Sitting in what felt like a private drawing room with master artists at the peak of their craft was a rare privilege.

Reviving Ottoman Manuscripts: Intuitive Alchemy at The Hub

Although programme notes warned of improvisation, without prior knowledge of the compositions, it was difficult to tell where written score ended and spontaneous creation began. Yet the visual alchemy on stage occasionally gave it away. The most memorable moment for me was when the musicians looked up from their notation to lock eyes—first with intense focus, then breaking into smiles of warm approval as a variation was led by Feras Charestan. At times, Dilek held back her vocals to yield gracefully to Rajoub’s saxophone solos. Watching these subtle transitions unfold made their spontaneous interplay feel miraculously harmonious—all the more remarkable for a group debuting together.

“The performance was a fluid blend of reflective melodies and playful, dance-like rhythms. Vocalist Dilek Türkan was a standout highlight: powerful yet immensely tender, her soaring, silky timbre brought a lyrical clarity that held the room spellbound.“

Beyond the musical brilliance on stage, the overall experience suffered from a lack of audience framing. The ensemble played non-stop without announcing any pieces, and no physical programme notes were provided. Asking venue staff, I was told concerts at The Hub rarely publish printed programmes. Checking my phone during the performance yielded nothing either; the digital programme appeared online only after the concert ended.

For a premium festival ticket, particularly for a performance sung in Turkish and captured for broadcast, the absence of song titles, stage introductions, or lyric translations created a barrier to full engagement. Knowing a song’s title or thematic story would have grounded the experience, helping these stand-out melodies take root.

Ultimately, Derya Türkan & Friends delivered an exquisite evening of music. With just a bit more context and accessible translated text provided during the performance, these breathtaking pieces could have stayed with us much longer, resonating well after leaving the hall. For those who missed this remarkable evening, or wish to revisit it, keep an eye on Mezzo TV and Sky Arts listings for the upcoming broadcast.