Edited BY G P Kennedy
Day 4 sees us travel west from Karachi, Pakistan to Istanbul, Turkey where we meet up with Gul. She is a former journalist and arts professional recently returned to her home city after a prolonged period living in England.
In two very different song choices Gul finds meaning in lockdown through prescient lyrics and lessons from history.
Concierto de Aranjuez – Joaquin Rodrigo
The concerto of last wish
It was 6th of May 1972, a political activist and student leader Deniz Gezmiş was executed along with his friends Hüseyin İnan and Yusuf Aslan. He was only 25 years old, he was our Che Guevara who has done nothing apart from shouting against the 1970’s military junta in Turkey.
Deniz Gezmiş
His last requests were drink a cup of tea and listen to Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo. The 48th anniversary has just passed, that was the reason I’ve been listening to different versions of Rodrigo’s.
In late 1938, Rodrido was working on his concerto while Spain was struggling from civil war. Rodrido and his wife Victoria spent their honeymoon in Aranjuez, Spain and actually that was a large inspiration for the work. On the other hand, many people believed that, the second piece of Concierto was inspired by the bombing of Guernica in 1937.
Some musicians say the dominant sound of the concierto is the drums and the drums refer to the nationalists, backed by General Franco. First, drums take over the guitar then a silence. Fascism won. Then a weak sound of a single guitar begins, then another... then another.
You almost hear the sound of resistance and suddenly a hope appears. I must mention that, Rodrigo and his wife Victoria stayed silent for many years about this inspiration.
If you ask people what makes the Concerto de Aranjuez so special, you’ll get many different answers. Whether it was inspired by a beautiful park in Aranjuez or grieving over an unborn child or the resistance of Guernica; it doesn’t matter. The music is extraordinary.
Damn the imperialism
In the night from 5 to 6 May, gallows were set up in the courtyard of Ankara prison. Families were not informed but lawyers were woken up in the middle of the night to be present at the executions. Of course there was no cup of tea or Rodrigo’s Concierto.
Instead, it was Deniz Gezmiş’s brave voice broke the silence in the dark night ‘long live a fully independent Turkey. Long live the great ideology of Marxism-Leninism. Damn the imperialism.’
These executions have become as a symbol that Turkish left would gather under. Since then Deniz became a popular name also his green jacket a symbol of rebellion. I wore one proudly when I was young, my young niece wears hers proudly these days. And, we carry on listening to Concierto de Arenjuez.
Last note; how coincidence that Rodrigo and his wife visited Ankara just a week before the executions. What would Rodrigo have done if he knew Deniz Gezmiş’ last wish?
Wild Wild Life – Talking Heads
These days I’ve been listening 80s a lot, something old and familiar for comfort, I think. Wild wild life by Talking Heads one of them, what a quality song it’s! Talking Heads always improves my mood and this song absolutely changes my mood for the better.
Things fall apart, it’s scientific
How amazing isn’t it? Great line. You could imagine Dr Fauci is talking to Trump during an updates of COVID-19. There is something so delightfully weird about this song that makes it so enjoyable.
Peace of mind?
It’s a piece of cake!
I listened to this on my cassette tape on my stereo. Good old days. If I could go back in time, the 80s are high on my list.
Sitting’ on a window sill, but he
Spends time behind closed doors
While we are learning to live behind close doors, this song just makes me happy. All time classic that will never get old. Best decade ever for music.
Last note: When I chose this Wild Wild Life, I wasn’t aware that the lyrics really make sense of this lockdown.
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