The Newberry Consort presents a program of varied musical traditions from the realm of Osman Ghazi, or Osman I, founder of the vast territory that would eventually be known as the Ottoman Empire.

Curated by Chicago-based Middle Eastern music expert and ud virtuoso Ronnie Malley, this program was inspired by the Tarih-i Yeni Dünya, or “A History of the New World,” an Ottoman manuscript dated around 1600. The Tarih is written from an Ottoman perspective: in addition to relating stories about the Iberian conquests of the Americas, it includes commentary, geographical observations, and philosophical polemics about the world at large, revealing a vast global cultural exchange that included art, poetry, and music.

This program presents a tiny sliver of a rich and varied musical tapestry from within and beyond Ottoman Empire boundaries: a haunting Byzantine traditional song, classical Turkish art music (and a Venetian piece it influenced), Armenian music, music written for whirling dervishes, and melodies influenced by Sephardic, Arabic, Balkan, and Rumeli cultures. Starting with a meditative call to prayer, the energy builds throughout the program, and you’ll be singing (and dancing!) by the end!

The musicians play period instruments from the Ottoman Empire and places it influenced. Ronnie Malley plays the ud, with Firas Zreik on kanun, Naeif Rafeh on ney, Eve Monzingo on sandouri, Liza Malamut on sackbut, Sam Hysom on violin and viola, and George Lawler and Oya Dubey on traditional percussion instruments.

The Newberry Consort is proud to present this concert in streaming format for your at-home viewing pleasure. The video was filmed, recorded, and produced by Grayson Media, Inc. at a live concert in Evanston on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Grayson Media’s groundbreaking artistry captures the energy of the crowd and the beauty of the music, bringing it right into your home for a viewing experience you won’t want to miss!