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Traditional mehter band performances have started again at Türkiye's national palaces, bringing Ottoman military music back to some of Istanbul's most visited historic sites until Sept. 30.
Organized by the Directorate of National Palaces, the performances will be held weekly at the Dolmabahce Palace, the Topkapi Palace and the Yildiz Palace. The program is expected to draw strong interest as the summer season brings more visitors to the palaces.
The concerts will take place every Tuesday in front of the Treasury Gate at the Dolmabahce Palace, every Wednesday at the Babussaade entrance of the Topkapi Palace and every Thursday in the first courtyard of the Yildiz Palace.
Each performance will begin at 11 a.m. and last around 30 minutes. Visitors will be able to watch the concerts in the historic setting of the palace grounds.
Mehter refers to the Ottoman military band tradition that served for centuries as a source of morale and motivation for the Turkish army. With a history tracing back to the 11th century, the tradition became part of the musical memory of Ottoman victories, campaigns and military processions.
The performances bring together powerful rhythms from instruments such as the kos, drum, zurna and nakkare, creating the ceremonial sound long associated with marches, conquest and struggle.
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The program includes some of the best-known works in the mehter repertoire. "Ceddin Deden" is regarded as one of the symbols of Ottoman military music, while "Hucum Marsi" reflects the rhythm and atmosphere of battle.
"Genc Osman Marsi" carries the memory of the Baghdad Campaign, and "Fetih Marsi" brings forward the spirit of conquest and historic military movement. "Plevne Marsi" also stands out with its powerful account of Gazi Osman Pasha's resistance.
Other classic works in the performances include "Segah Pesrevi," "Sehzade Suleyman Marsi," "Tarihi Cevir," "Mehterhane-i Hakani Marsi" and "Ordu Marsi."
The Ministry of National Defense Mehteran Unit presents the concerts with traditional instruments, disciplined stage order and costumes reflecting the musical culture of the period.
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