The Oud

Yorgo Bacanos

Yorgo Bacanos was born in Silivri near Istanbul in 1900. His father was of Greek gypsy descent, and was largely responsible for introducing the young Yorgo to music, presenting him with his first oud at the age of five. Yorgo soon left school to concentrate on music full-time, and he made is first public appearance in an Istanbul nightclub at the age of twelve. He soon went on to perform on Turkish Radio and performed with the best musicians of his era, inluding Munir Nurettin Selcuk, Sadi Isilay and Zeki Muren in Turkey, and Um Kulthoum and Munir Bashir in the Arab world. Yorgo Bacanos also gave concerts in many European countries, and became one of the finest and best-known oud players of his time (alongside Udi Hrant) before his death in 1977.

Udi Yorgo Bacanos 1900-1977
(Traditional Crossroads CD4287)

This CD includes a number of rare radio recordings of Yorgo Bacanos that have been digitally remastered. The music ranges from vocal selections to ensemble pieces and solo taksimler, and is accompanied by comprehensive liner notes by Harold Hagopian. The CD can be bought direct from Traditional Crossroads.

1. Huzzam Taksim 3:10
2. Rast Taksim 3:05
3. Hafiz Kemal & Sadettin 'Gulchen es Haar' 3:36
4. Kurdilihicazkar Pesrev (Tatyos Efendi) 6:42
5. Ussak Taksim 3:12
6. Acemkurdi Taksim 5:28
7. Muhayyer Keman Taksim (Nubar Tekyay) 2:00
8. Muhayyer Saz Semai (Tanburi Cemil Bey) 3:21
9. Huseyni Taksim 4:05
10. Rast Taksim 5:36
11. Huzzam Sarki (Safiye Ayla) 2:45
12. Huseyni Taksim 3:44
13. Segah Taksim 3:18
14. Nihavent Taksim 3:22
15. Kemence Taksim (Aleko Bacanos) 3:14
16. Hicazkar Taksim 3:37
17. Nikriz Saz Semai (Refik Fersan) 6:13
18. Nihavent Taksim 3:02

Yorgo Bacanos 1900-1977
(Kalan CD066)

Another excelent collection of archive recordings, which even includes a taksim by Bacanos on the piano! The CD can be bought direct from Kalan Music.

1. Selmek Taksim 4:21
2. Segah Taksim 3:17
3. Mahur Sarki ('Gulsen-i ezhar acti'): Basmaci Abdi Efendi 3:59
4. Mahur Taksim 3:23
5. Huzzam Gazel ('Gozu dunya mi gorur asik-i didar olanin'): Hafiz Kemal 3:34
6. Huseyni Taksim 3:18
7. Nihavend Taksim 2:54
8. Hicazkar Taksim (piyano ile) 3:01
9. Sedaraban Pesrev (iki hane) (Refik Fersan) 2:43
10. Hicaz Taksim 2:44
11. Mahur Taksim 1:13
12. Acemkurdi Taksim 5:39
13. Huseyni Taksim 3:52
14. Sultaniyegah Pesrev (iki hane) ve Sultaniyegah Saz Semaisi: Kanuni Haci Arif Bey 5:38
15. Suznak Oyun Havasi (bestecisi bilinmiyor) 6:04
16. Nikriz Sirto (Refik Fersan) 6:37
17. Hicazkar Taksim 3:13

TOP BACK HOME