A Mediterranean Concert Brings Cultures Together
The renowned viol player Jordi Savall led the Hespèrion XXI ensemble in a special concert that celebrated the Mare Nostrum. Musicians from Türkiye, Syria and Spain came together, each bringing the sound of their homeland to the stage. The group featured the singer and lutenist known as “Blood of Bouhassoun,” accompanied by Moslem Rahal on the ney, Hakan Güngor on the oud, Yurdal Tokcan on percussion, and David Mayoral on additional drums. Savall himself shone on the rebec and the vihuela, showing how old strings can still speak to modern ears.
Highlights of the Performance
The program opened with the lively Cypriot tune “Koniali,” a song and dance that blends Greek and Turkish flavors. Later, the ensemble played a rhythmic Arabic piece that got everyone tapping their feet. The concert closed with the beloved refrain “Al maya, al maya,” leaving the audience humming as they left. In between, a delicate Sephardic melody called “The rose blooms” floated through the air, followed by “Ya Mariam el bekr,” a heartfelt hymn to the Virgin Mary cherished in Syria and Lebanon.
Music as a Bridge of Emotions
Ancient music has a unique way of touching feelings that cross borders. Throughout the night, the melodies wove together Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions, reminding listeners that the Mediterranean has long been a sea of shared stories. The interplay of instruments created a conversation where sorrow, joy, hope and reverence could be heard in every phrase, proving that sound can be a universal language.
A Feast for the Senses
After the music, guests moved to the Pati Nord of the Fundació Miró, where a Catalan‑inspired Mediterranean dinner awaited. The table offered simple yet tasty dishes: bread topped with ripe tomato, citrus‑marinated olives, fresh anchovies from La Escala, cod baked with tomato, and mini meat cannelloni from Perol. Each bite complemented the evening’s theme, showing how food, like music, can bring people together.
Notable Guests and Celebrations
The event attracted a lively crowd. Javier Moll and his wife Arantza Sarasola, along with their children Aitor and Ainhoa, joined the celebration as leaders of Prensa Ibérica. Notable attendees included journalist and historian Anne Applebaum, speaker Marc Palahí, Laia Corbella (new president of the Mobile World Capital Foundation), financier Carles Tusquets, Josep Lluis Sanfeliu of Barcelona Global, Angels Chacon of Llorente and Cuenca, Joseph Santacreu from the Chamber of Commerce, and Sara Puig, president of the Miró Foundation and Barcelonian of the Year 2025. Martí Savalls toasted the success of the first Mediterranean Forum held in Barcelona, noting how Miró’s plastic art, the traditional sounds of Mare Nostrum, and the evening’s gastronomy created a truly magical night.
Conclusion
The concert by Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI proved that when musicians from different cultures share a stage, the result is more than just pleasant sound—it becomes a living dialogue. By pairing ancient melodies with a Mediterranean feast and gathering thinkers, artists, and community leaders, the event highlighted how collaboration can turn the sea that separates us into a bridge that unites us.
Source
Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es