Ottoman music as a source of inspiration for today’s composers

Name: Vasileios Filippou Main Subject: Composition Title of Research: Ottoman music as a source of inspiration for today’s composers Subtitle: Applying aspects of Ottoman Classical music within current compositional practice Research Question: How can I, as a composer, understand the rich tradition of Ottoman Classical music and as a result, inform my compositional work? Summary of Results: By outlining and critically evaluating my compositional process, this research paper aims to suggest methods of composing that are influenced by, and arise from a deep understanding of Ottoman Classical music. The purpose of this research is to show ways in which Ottoman Classical music can provide compositional tools for today’s composers (especially those with a European Classical background). The paper and the composition examples will illustrate possible ways in which Ottoman Classical music can be used. The important results of this research are presented in the form of compositions, accompanied by their analyses, where the ways I approached the research question are demonstrated. A diagram has been devised, which can be used as a method of drawing inspiration from various musical elements whilst reflecting on them. The points discussed on the use of Ottoman Classical music in today’s practice and the two opposing views on this matter are key to these results as they have informed the study. This is a practice as research approach where composition, which is my artistic practice, becomes both my subject and my tool of research. It is an area not extensively studied in the past and it is free of pre-defined methods and open to new interpretations. This paper can be an introduction to composers who have not yet studied or practiced this kind of music. Biography: Vasileios Filippou (b. Cyprus, 1991) is currently a master student at Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag studying composition with Yannis Kyriakides and Calliope Tsoupaki. He holds a master degree with a scholarship fromTrinity Laban conservatoire and a bachelor degree from Royal Holloway, London. His music has been performed in The United Kingdom, Netherlands, Greece, Spain and Cyprus, broadcasted from BBC Radio 3 (UK) and RIK Radio (CY) and also presented in Aldeburgh and Cheltenham music festivals. Latest major performances include a piece for Orkest de Ereprijs in Appeldoorn and a piece for Ives ensemble and Slagwerk Den Haag in Amsterdam.

Author: Vasileios Filippou