This is what journalists write about our concert performances:
Dream of the Orient:
"It was a light-hearted and cozy evening … in fact, something like a fusion of both musical cultures really happened …
There was even dancing: two dervishes were rotating in supreme elegance …
A light-hearted evening, making many happy. Successful." Stefan M. Dettlinger, Mannheimer Morgen, 22.07.2010
In the Empire of the Golden Apple: Adventures of a Turkish Traveller in 17th century Vienna
"… one of the most interesting programs at the "styriarte" festival: humorous, entertaining, with exciting content."
M. Gasser, Kronenzeitung, 18.07.2010
The Perfect Light: Christian-Muslim ritual music in honour of the birth of Jesus and Mohammed:
„ If the Stadtkirche was sold out for the opening show,
the concert of Ensemble Sarband brought it to the limits of its capacity. More was impossible. …
This kind of music has not been heard here before. The show was already intriguing
because of the authenticity of performers and performance. …
Two brilliant soloists stood in the centre:
The Swede Miriam Andersén, an almost mythical appearance, tall, slender with white-blonde long hair and
a crystal clear soprano voice with dark timbre …
Congenially at her side the Turk Mustafa Dogan Dikmen,
whose vigorous voice filled the nave effortlessly with a variety of peculiarly Oriental guttural sounds.
Warm and haunting sounded the Quran suras about Mary and the birth of Jesus. ...
At the end, the audience remained in almost reverent awe, which then erupted into persistent applause for the musicians.”
Hans-Dieter Speck, Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (Germany), 20.06.2010
Mevlud & Miraj: Mohammad's Birth & Dream Voyage to Heaven:
„Ensemble Sarband prove that 15th-century Sufi music can be exciting and relevant to Western listeners.
Every performance of Sarband is an experience …
Before Jordi Savall became famous with it, Ivanoff was already committed to the vision
that the separation between Orient and Occident did not make sense in Early Music …
Two singers had the leading role: brilliant Mustafa Dogan Dikmen and astonishing Bekir Büyükbas …
What makes Sarband so unique is Ivanoff’s persistent effort to make Oriental music accessible to Western listeners.
The musical chemistry was visible on stage.
That the members of Sarband grunted their approval to particularly beautiful phrases of the singer was the best proof of this.” Stefan Grondelaers, De Standaard (Belgium), 25.05.2010
Sacred Bridges:
„Hearing their expressive voices that sound like far-away places, Orient and adventure, makes you want to cheer inwardly. This was a very strong performance.“ Christopher Dömges, suite101.de, 13.05.2010
„Astonishing how well the different elements fitted each other. In many instances the passage from one religion to another wasn’t perceptible at all.” Andreas Schröter, Ruhrnachrichten (Germany), 12.05.2010
Cultures of Tolerance:
„Sarband unfurl a panorama from Al-Andalus via Algeria to the Ottoman Empire.
A significant part of the cheers was directed at the vocal soloists. Exciting acoustic images are conjured,
in which the origins of European tradition appear. The audience returned home, dazzlingly enriched with sensations, experiences and information. It is very beneficial if Europe is not the centre of the musical world for once.”
Monika Lanzendörfer, Schwetzinger Zeitung (Germany), 03.05.2010
Sacred Bridges:
„With only three instrumentalists and one singer, Vladimir Ivanoff creates a whole universe of sound
in his encounter with the RIAS chamber choir.“ Martin Wilkening, Berliner Zeitung (Germany), 26.04.2010
Hortus conclusus / The Enclosed Gardens of Paradise:
Mystical Songs from Medieval Europe and the Ottoman Empire
„On the eroticism of faith. Vladimir Ivanoff and his Ensemble Sarband enchanted with treasures
of the medieval Orient and Occident at the Graz Easter festival.
Vladimir Ivanoff is a sophisticated cartographer of the exceptional. Delightful array of voices …
The projected texts, displayed onto images of Gregorian notation, miniatures from the Bible or Oriental carpets,
were work of art in their own right. In a nutshell: seamless enjoyment.”
Michael Tschida, Kleine Zeitung (Austria), 31.01.2010
Happy Birthday Jesus & Mohammed!
Building bridges is easier said than done - on the concert stage it worked out perfectly!
A perfectly performed choreography, a stringently woven golden thread: recitations and music telling the births
of Jesus and Mohammed are interwoven without gaps into a diversified and entertaining program.“
Marion Aigl, Wiener Zeitung, 23.12.2009
Sacred Bridges:
"Sarband's music speaks for itself - their message of intercultural understanding does not need any explanations."
Frank Heindl, DAZ, 11.11.2009
"Like a beautiful dream. After this musical voyage through three cultures, the end of the concert was like waking up
from a beautiful dream." Stephanie Knauer, Augsburger Allgemeine, 04.11.2009, 27.10.2009
Sefarad:
"The audience was enchanted by the music … - especially the interpretation by Sarband is worth hearing."
Brigitte Heeke, Westfälische Nachrichten, 04.11.2009, 27.10.2009
Vox Feminae / Origine:
"… voices that transport us to other worlds …" Martin Caroso, ABC, 27.10.2009
A Great Love: Shéhérazade in Paris:
„… an entoxicating evening … " Stimme.de, Monika Köhler, 24.10.2009
The Arabian Passion according to J. S. Bach:
„Bach’s Passions, arab music, jazz elements and images of suffering in the Middle East are joined
to a monumental work of art… All of a sudden, the listener is taken from his passive role and transported
into the tale of the suffering of Jesus Christ and of many people in the Middle East.
After intense waves of enthusiasm, not only the audience,
but also the artists leave the Stadtkirche in a state of deep emotion.“ Der Neue Tag (Germany), 31.08.2009
„ … this change happens astonishingly fast. How naturally this connection between the
two supposedly alien cultures suceeds … Bach rose from his pew and seated himself on a prayer rug.
Nevertheless the sense of the prayers remained the same … The result is simply fascinating.
A sounding plea for tolerance and peace.“ Elisabeth Schwind, Südkurier (Germany), 10.07.2008
„ … a sublime act of balance between Ethno, sound adventure and art music … powerfully absorbing and suggestive scenes … emotional climaxes that make the listener hold his breath.“
Jürgen Scharf, Oberbadisches Volksblatt (Germany), 10.07.2009
„Bach belongs to the whole world.“ Kölner Stadtanzeiger, 07.04.2009
Llibre Vermell de Montserrat:
„ … Ensemble Sarband performed on a high musical level. The Osnabrück Youth Choir was equally at ease
with every musical style. The audience in the sold-out church demanded two encores.“
Monika Everlin, Haller Tagblatt (Germany), 23.06.2009
Miraj: Muhammad's Dream Voyage
"Intimate sounds full of concentrated energy: Once again, Ensemble Sarband's contribution was
an indispensable enrichment … Sounds spreading and fanning out in highly developed monophony
deeply moved the audience." Herbert Schranz, Kleine Zeitung, 10.04.2009
"Of first-rate musical quality, this evening emphasized at once the airiness of vision and the grave importance
of "dreams"." Christoph Hartner, Kronenzeitung, 10.04.2009
"It is impossible to imagine the Easter concert series in Graz without Ensemble Sarband …
Turkish classical music and spiritual songs from the Middle East were recited brilliantly and in an authentic way."
Wolfgang Stern, drehpunktkultur, 09.04.2009
A Great Love: Shéhérazade in Paris:
"Closeness and distance were the two poles of this enchanting evening …
With her colourfully shaded soprano, Dilek Geçer lent great intesity to Callisto Guatelli Pasha’s song settings.
In the second half, the audience was simply enthralled by this erotically charged singing.
Celalettin Biçer on ney and kanun, Ahmed Kadri Rizeli (kemençe) and Ugur Isik (violoncello)
created magical moments in their joint improvisations." fg, Main Post, 30.12.2008
The Arabian Passion according to J.S. Bach:
"The programme was permeated by a huge sensitivity for sound and a genuine understanding of musical expressions
of different continents and cultures. The arias „Es ist vollbracht“ and „Erbarme dich“ as well as familiar
chorales were further highlights in this out-of-the-ordinary evening, followed in breathless silence
and acknowledged with appreciating applause by the audience."
Hans Rühl, Rheinische Post, 23.12.08
Cultures of Tolerance :
„On instruments hardly known in the West, witnesses of a 800-year-old and incredibly rich musical tradition
are performed with astonishing depth, nuance and meditative calm …
Lebanese mezzo-soprano Fadia el-Hage’s wonderfully warm voice sings splendidly ornmented improvisations …
her colleague Dogan Dikmen praises Allah; and Miriam Andersen’s clear soprano tells about the fates of crusaders.“
Frank Heindl, Augsburger Allgemeine (Germany), 14.11.2008
Sindbad the Sailor:
"… a chinese-iraqi-japanese meeting on three levels … a fascinating "jam session",
based on instrumental perfection… cheerful interaction …
A lot of humour also in the choreography of the Japanese dancer Kazutomi Kozuki. "
M. Wagner, Kronenzeitung, 23.07.08
Fountain of Youth:
"Refreshing »Fountain of Youth« at the Styriarte. …
medieval fantasies of love and violence: overwhelming the Ensemble Sarband around mastermind Vladimir Ivanoff."
Reihold Reiterer, Kleine Zeitung, Graz, 13.07.2008
Water Roses:
"It was a performance heightened into Magic … an authentic drama of cultic intensity."
Matthias Wagner, Kronenzeitung, Graz, 12.07.2008
"Sublime music in a highly focussed performance by Vladimir Ivanoff and his ensemble Sarband."
Walter Titz, Kleine Zeitung, Graz, 12.07.2008
Dream of the Orient:
„Concerto Köln and Sarband fascinated with Turkish treasures, and the dance of the Dervishes completed an evening
that came up to expectations. An inspiring night of fusion …
The performance profited mostly from the five members of Sarband.
Masters on their percussion and string instruments, … they played the key role in the realization
of the Dream of the Orient in Vladimir Ivanoff’s programme concept and arrangements.”
César López Rosell, El Periódico (Spain), 12.03.2008
Vox Feminae / Origine:
"Harmonic fusion as Utopia – it can be found in music … this results in a tapestry of sound,
in whose texture the oriental and occidental strands have become hardly discernible
– a wonderfully melancholic ideal. …" Nicole Strecker, Ballettanz, 4-08
"Sensational live music: Fadia el-Hage’s voice emerging from the innermost,
and the crystal clear voice of Swedish singer Miriam Andersén …"
Silvia Nagl, OÖNachrichten, 10.03.2008
"Ensemble Sarband plays and sings the stars out of the sky."
Danielle de Regt, De Standaard (Belgium), 11.02.2008
Happy Birthday Dionysos, Jesus, Mohammed:
„ Fadia el-Hage conveyed oriental gentleness, crowned by a refined mezzosoprano and energetic,
intimate and tender vocal art.
With genuine enthusiasm, the audience thanked for an unforgettable concert that brought different cultures
much closer together than political hate campaigns could ever set them apart.“
Franz Szabo, Kritisches Journal der Alten Musik, 22.03.2008
„When Fadia el-Hage raised her voice, it was like Easter and Christmas at once.“
C. Hartner, Kronenzeitung (Austria), 22.03.2008
Sacred Bridges:
"As a gentle memento against collective madness, intercultural ensemble Sarband try to build „Sacred Bridges“
together with the six King’s Singers … a sounding jacobs ladder woven from christian, jewish
and muslim psalm settings … How enchantingly oriental this may sound! one marvellingly became aware
and widely opened one’s classically limited hearing." Lutz Lesle, Die Welt (Germany), 28.01.2008
„Apart from its equally exciting and symbolically strong concept, the performance was also musically convincing …
A concert a long way from any crossover randomness.“ Stä, Hamburger Abendblatt (Germany), 28.01.2008
The Arabian Passion according to J.S. Bach:
"… a touching concert experience … musical communication across cultural boundaries … excellent soloists … Bach's music excitingly re-discovered … enthusiastic applause."
Martina Binning, Osnabrücker Zeitung, 30.08.2007
We are God's Light, God's Mirror :
"A kiss of tolerance" Ralf Döring, Osnabrücker Zeitung (Germany), 21.08.2007"
Sacred Bridges:
„The music dances in the ears! … The connecting semantics of the world language music could not be pictured
more beautifully … it sounded as if heaven and earth touched, … an island of bliss, where cultures walked hand in hand.“ Wolfgang Nussbaumer, Gmünder Tagespost (Germany), 20.07.2007
A Great Love: Sheherazade in Paris:
"Enchantingly sweet bridgings … Dilek Geçer’s many shaded, lyrically sweet soprano
was the connecting element … indeed amazing as a stylistic balancing act …
Director Vladimir Ivanoff preserved this evening's narcotic sweetness."
Matthias Wagner, Kronenzeitung, Graz (Austria), 15.07.2007
Jerusalem Delivered:
"An enchanting dialogue … Surreal melancholy, tender and captivating." MW, Kronenzeitung (Austria), 07.07.2007
The Arabian Passion according to J.S. Bach:
"Bach would have turned in his grave. Then he'd have stepped out, dusted himself and paid attention …
The songs were most haunting when vocalist Fadia el-Hage reverted to Arabic.
At those times, perhaps, Bach also wept." The Business Times (Singapore), 14.06.2007
Sacred Bridges:
"But yes! The solution of the Near East conflict lies in the hands of music. Tell it to the politicians!
The proof was given yesterday evening at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia."
Mya Tannenbaum, Corriere della Sera, Rome (Italy), 03.04.2007
Sefarad:
„… This symbiosis made an exceptional master concert a successfully integrated work of art
with a highly instructive background.“ B. Hoeltzenbein, Neue Westfälische (Germany), 03.11.2006
Sacred Bridges:
„ … Ivanoff effortlessly connected on the concert stage what is utopian on the global stage:
that nothing stands between Christians and Jews and Muslims. Except for „and“.“
Michael Tschida, Kronen Zeitung Graz (Austria), 04.06.2006
The Waltz:
„Concerto Köln and Sarband built a bridge on the stage of the Festspielhaus in Bregenz, a strong bridge
between Orient & Occident" Vorarlberg Online (Austria), 18.05.2006
The Arabian Passion according to J.S. Bach:
„It is Vladimir Ivanoff's strong point, to join cultures and to build musical bridges between orient and occident.
With the «Arabian Passion» … he succeeded in a brilliant way. Heart, mind, gesture and communication
with the other artists were merged into an intensive whole. …
I could not have imagined more beautiful music for Good Friday.“
Franz Szabo, Salzburger Nachrichten (Austria), 4/2006
Passions:
„ …dreamlike tranquillity of the late medieval songs … great musical achievement“
Kronen Zeitung, Graz (Austria), 12.4.2006
Son of the Sheik:
„ … right under Valentino's bedroom glance they not only illustrated the silent movie,
but also presented a real masterwork of music …“ Uwe Mitsching, Bayerische Staatszeitung (Germany), 3.2.2006
Sacred Bridges:
„A treat for the soul and the intellect … To write about the performance cannot do justice to the spell it cast.
Sacred Bridges aptly fulfilled the vision of a spiritual world without borders.“
Elizabeth & Joe Kahn, Classical Voice of North Carolina (USA), 25.10.2005
"The force with which their vocalist, Mustafa Dogan Dikmen, presented Ufki's settings
was nothing short of astounding." Tweedy Flanagan, Happenings in the Humanities (USA), Fall/Winter 2005-06
Llibre Vermell de Montserrat:
„ … the great moment for the expressively deep voice of Fadia el-Hage … impressive forcefulness
of the Passion chant … trance-like impact and deep meditation. Mystical and full of genuine feeling …“
Kurt Witterstätter, Die Rheinpfalz (Germany), 4.10.2005
„Singer Fadia el-Hage made an impressive feature of the Arab influences with her voluminous contralto voice
of almost male timbre, full of charisma and passion … it was a journey through time, on which the audience
let themselves be taken along for a bit, gladly an with a personal benefit.“ rup, Speyerer Morgenpost (Germany), 04.10.2005
Vox Feminae:
„This is what I call mysticism.” Svenska Dagbladet (Sweden), 28.07.2005
„The audience was enthusiastic about the trio’s vocal music, meant to illustrate female paths towards God.“
Peter Fromann, Pfälzischer Merkur (Germany), 26.06.2005
Sacred Bridges:
„ … this was more than an ordinary concert, this was a ritual celebration of bridge-building
that joined people and religions … fascinating unity of voices, instruments and physical expression …
completely rounded, amazing and full of hope how people can come together, independent of their origin, religious tradition
or even detachment from religion … The Psalms of David are a quite stable roof for understanding.“
Reinhold Lindner, Freie Presse (Germany), 19.07.2005
„Exciting bridge-building with musical depth … perfectly natural merging of two sound worlds …“
Susanne Dietz, Maintal Tagesanzeiger (Germany), 18.07.2005
„Especially Mustafa Dogan Dikmen with his warm, powerful and intense voice caused frissons of pleasure.“
Susanne Dietz, Maintal Tagesanzeiger, 18.07.2005
"Vladimir Ivanoff's finely structured frame drum playing gives the whole it's perfection."
Frido Hütter, Kleine Zeitung, Graz, 18.07.2005
„ … touching the bounds of ecstasy … The merging of the two sound spheres resulted in a caleidoscope,
of whose components you would want to miss none.“
Elisabeth Risch, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany), 18.07.2005
Dream of the Orient:
„When Sufi Dervishes whirl under the cross in the cupola of St. Irene in Istanbul,
accompanied by a
Cologne classical orchestra,
Sarband have again succeeded in building cultural bridges between cultures …“
Susanne Güsten, Qantara.de (Germany), 23.06.2005
Ecco la primavera:
„Singer and harp player Miriam Andersén’s splendidly flowing voice was enchanting as ever.“
Sabine Fauland, Kronen Zeitung Graz (Austria), 24.03.2005
Mevlud (Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed):
"Dogan Dikmen: a sage in every respect." Clemens Anton Klug, Kleine Zeitung, 21. 03. 2005
Dream of the Orient:
„ ... a magic evening - extraordinarily fascinating works, full of colours and warmth …„
Renato della Torre, Messagero Veneto (Italy), 17.07.2004
Satie en Orient / Danse Gothique:
„Miriam Andersén - also on harp - almost supernaturally dominated the performance with her mystically dark yet radiant voice that pervaded the hall like ocean surf, exultant but tearing everything with it … A delicious and, above all, relaxing evening!“ Sabine Fauland, Kronen Zeitung (Austria), 22.06.2004
We are God's Light, God's Mirror (Cantico):
„Received divine energy … Doubtlessly, more than a dance was performed here - a ritual, a prayer took place
… insights into Sufi mysticism … the energy of tranquillity“ MWo, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (Germany), 27.12.2003
Dream of the Orient:
„An immense ode to peace“ Alain Maestracci, Nice Matin (France), 10.08.2003
„… a remarkable co-operation.“ Michael Tegethoff, WZ (Germany), 10.06.2003
Satie en Orient / Danse Gothique:
"… Miriam Andersén's crystal clear soprano perfected the gothic atmosphere."
Klaus Winterberg, Leverkusener Anzeiger, 20.02.2003
Dream of the Orient:
„A Rainbow of timbres and traditions“ New York Times (USA), 21.08.2002
Sefarad:
„Fadia el-Hage, the excellent singer capable of expressing an entire cosmos of emotions and stories
made the stylistic peculiarities shine with focused internalisation and expression.“
Gerhard Böhm, Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten (Germany), 02.07.2002
Son of the Sheik:
„Only the musicians of Sarband managed to inspire this period picture with the true orient.“
Susanne Leuteritz, Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany), 07.06.2002
Dream of the Orient:
„ ... gratifyingly productive two-way relationship between the groups"
Shirley Apthorp, Andante.com (USA), 07.05.2002
Vox Feminae:
„The vocal performance … was perfect … The meeting of the Swedish and Lebanese singers even enhanced
the beauty of the vocal colours. This admirable concert is achieved by merely three artists.“
Guillaume Orly, L'Alsace Le Pays (France), 23.09.2001
Son of the Sheik:
"There, at the borders of Europe, where our eurocentric sciences and arts stop,
Vladimir Ivanoff just takes off … " Thomas Muttray-Kraus, Oberbayerisches Volksblatt, 03.02.2001
„ … a deep musical experience.“ Carl Graf, Musica Sacra (Germany), 01-02/2001
Satie en Orient / Danse Gothique:
"Nothing compares to Ivanoff's art of playing the frame drum …
" … Ivanoff crosses borders and thus finds a new music which transfers our dreams about the Orient into a soundscape."
Franzpeter Messmer, Fono Forum 11/2000
Dream of the Orient:
„Many fascinating aspects, but most of all the immensely sensitive team-work of the two ensembles.“
Roland Spiegel, Abendzeitung (Germany), 27.10.2000
Sefarad:
„Music that explores emotion" Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star (Canada), 02.03.2000
„ ... a particularly delicious program, as much for the refinement and accomplishment of the ensemble's players
as for the experience of hearing music that is unquestionably «other», yet somehow familiar.
There's much to take away from such a concert ... Their performances were uniformly engaging,
striking these unaccustomed ears as being of the most exquisite, subtle inclination.
Fadia el-Hage had not only a beautiful and expressive voice,
but was masterful in both the variety and articulation of the many ornaments
that decorate the songs." Michael Mann, Montréal (Canada), 22.02.2000