"This piece was inspired by a story my father told me about when he was a student in Istanbul. One night as my father was walking through the grounds of the mosque, from out of the darkness he heard the delicate strains of a musician, the reverberations of their instrument bouncing off the pillars of the courtyard, a sound echoing and decaying like watercolour paints. For my father, it was one of the most profound experiences of his life, a purity of sound so beautiful, it brought him to tears. "Author Dr. Defne Çizakça gave me her oud when she moved back to Türkiye, and it had been languishing in a corner of my music room for a little too long. After hearing the field recording from Ayasofya, I set myself to the task of channeling the reverie of the nighttime musician my father had told me about and the oud seemed the perfect instrument to use for this track. A homage to the overlaying of place and memory, and the peacefulness and awe which the Ayasofya bestows upon us." Oud, violin and composition by Ceylan Hay. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Robyn Dawson in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hagia Sophia reimagined by Bell Lungs. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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