What are ICTMD TALKS? ICTMD Talks are a series of courses on six different musical traditions and the culture from which they emerge. Each of the six sessions will be dedicated to a different musical style, repertoire and related area, presented by specialists from the world of music, academia or enthusiasts of the musical style in question. We will present a diversity of perspectives to discuss these musical traditions, highlighting the context of performance, the conditions of the musical tradition’s existence and the events that have marked its history. In a friendly atmosphere, seated in the foyer of the Espace Buen Vivir, participants will be able to exchange ideas after the specialist’s presentation. Exploration of Ottoman Classical Music with Tristan Driessens Tristan Driessens will talk to us about this oriental music whose system is based on two main pillars: musical modes (makam) and symmetrical and asymmetrical rhythmic cycles (usul). We will become familiar with musical instruments, their aesthetic characteristics (microtonality, heterophony, modal improvisation, etc.) and the historical and spiritual contexts in which Ottoman music developed. Ottoman classical music flourished in the great cultural centres of the East during the five centuries of the Ottoman Empire. With the city of Istanbul as its main landmark, this music was nourished by a formidable amalgam of influences reflecting Mediterranean, Byzantine, Indo-Persian and Eastern European cultures.Tristan Driessens is a lutenist (oud) and musicologist. Passionate about Ottoman music, he specialised in Istanbul under the tutelage of Necati Çelik. He experienced the privilege of working side by side with the greatest masters of Ottoman music, namely Sadreddin Özçimi, Kudsi Erguner, Derya Türkan, Murat Aydemir, Bora Uymaz and many others. This session will be given in Dutch, English and French. More info: www.tristandriessens.com Organisation: Muziekpublique & ICTDM Belgium