Brenna MacCrimmon & Selim Sesler - Karşılama

This album is the result of many years of musical wondering which began in my hometown of Toronto, Canada nearly 15 years ago. I began listening to music from all over the world but I was particularly drawn to the music of Turkey and the Balkans. I sought out folklore groups in Toronto and began to learn and play Macedonian and Turkish folk songs. Eventually my curiosity brought me to Turkey. Here I have found so much music in so many styles, it sometimes seems difficult to know where to begin. I think there is enough to keep anyone busy for 7 lifetimes. With a background in Balkan and Turkish music it was only natural Rumeli and Thracian folk songs appealed to me and with the help of many knowledgeable people I began to learn the repertoire. Not just the popular Rumeli songs that everyone knows , but many other beautiful little melodies that have lain forgotten like an embroidered shawl in a trunk in the attic. Years later take out the handiwork and we see how beautiful the colours are, how fine the detail and workmanship is.
In much the same way, I’ve found inspiration in old 78 and 45 rpm recordings as well as more usual sources such as cassettes and notation.
I didn’t come to Turkey to make an album, it just sort of happened. I’ve had the good fortune to study and play with a number of fine Turkish musicians during my time here and all of them have taught me something, all of them have left an impression on me. Within the Rumeli region alone, there are so many styles, so many forms of instrumentation – we could easily make many more albums, but for this effort I worked with a wonderful group of Thracian musicians, led by clarinetist Selim Sesler. What the baglama is to Central Anatolia, so the clarinet is to the Balkans - it is hard to imagine a wedding or celebration without a clarinet at some point – and Selim is truly a master musician.
Like all the musicians on this album, Selim’s family originally came from Selanik and settled in and around Turkish Thrace. Their family histories are similar to those of many people of Rumeli heritage whom I met. These families experienced much hardship over the decades, facing wars and forced immigration, but they are also a generous and joyous people and these feelings are found in their music.
In choosing the songs and music for this album I tried to select repertoire, Turkish or otherwise, that suited the wonderful sound of this Thracian ensemble. We have tried to capture some of the many moods of this music, from sorrow to celebration. Please enjoy it with us.

- Brenna MacCrimmon