With its widely unprecedented repertoire, The Book of Lovers, which was recorded in Istanbul, evokes the cultural crossroads that has made Ottoman music into a rich array of Eastern and Western influences. The first disc puts the emphasis on classical singing as early as in the heyday of the Ottoman Empire. From founding father Abdülkadir Meraghi (†1435) to Dimitrie Cantemir (1673-1723) and Ali Ufki (1610-1675), the music of that era conveys Persian resonances and reflects an apparent bridge towards the European Renaissance.

The second disc reveals Istanbul’s historical places where the great tradition of Turkish makam flourished in the 19th century. From the palace of Sultan Selim III to the taverns or meyhane, the masterpieces of brilliant composers such as Numan Ağa (1750-1834), Hacı Arif Bey (1831-1885) and Tanburî Cemil Bey (1871-1916) unfold the multiple faces of an urban music at its climax.

“Lâmekân Ensemble offers us not only the possibility of admiring a splendid interpretation of Ottoman music, it also provides proof of the universality of all classical musical expressions.” - Kudsi Erguner