Projects
As a kanun player who loves to challenge my instrument’s boundaries, I have participated in various chamber and symphonic music projects over the years…
Awards & Recognition
Levantine Rhapsody
Levantine Rhapsody
Levantine Rhapsody
il ponte di leonardo - constantinople ensemble
Continuum
As a musician who loves to challenge the boundaries of my instrument…
Booking
Contact Didem Başar directly
info@didembasar.com
or
Frédéric Leotard
Centre des Musiciens du Monde
f.leotar@centredesmusiciens.com
The Kanun is known for it’s ability to provide countless opportunities for a rich variety of melodic interpretations. In addition to its classical role in the Middle Eastern music tradition, the Kanun’s melodic resourcefulness also allows its use in Western classical music.
As a kanun player who loves to challenge my instrument’s boundaries, I have participated in various chamber and symphonic music projects over the years. My latest creative endeavour Kanun & String Orchestra, is the products of a 30 year long musical journey and the synthesis of both, my Turkish music background and my conservatory education in Western classical music.
Discover my new album, released in 2024.
Didem Başar: Kanun & composition
Chef d’orchestre / Conductor: Jean-Francois Rivest
Premiers violons / First violins: Julie Triquet, Madeleine Messier, Denis Béliveau, Dominic Guilbault
Seconds violons / Seconds violons: Christian Prévost, Amélie Benoît-Bastien, Marie-Claire Cousineau
Altos / Violas: Thierry Lavoie-Ladouceur, Suzanne Careau
Violoncelles / Cellos: Tim Halliday, Alain Aubut
Contrebasse / Double bass: Yannick Chênevert
Percussions: Patrick Graham
Levantine Rhapsody
I wanted to create my own project, which would intertwine two musical influences…
Booking
Frédéric Leotard
Centre des Musiciens du Monde
f.leotar@centredesmusiciens.com
After composing and playing with different artists and ensembles in Canada for the past 14 years, I wanted to create my own project, which would intertwine two musical influences: Turkish and Western classical music.
The dialogue I created between the kanun and Western classical instruments like the flute, violin, cello and percussion, is enriched by Turkish makams (modes), as well as traditional rhythmic cycles and improvisation, to create a distinct impressionist atmosphere.
Levantive Rhapsody has received an Opus Award for album of the year and was nominated twice at l’ADISQ and Félix Awards.
Guy Pelletier: Flutes
Brigitte Dajczer: Viola
Noémy Braun: Cello
Patrick Graham: Percussion
Didem Başar: Kanun