Turkish crescent | Unknown maker | 1994
Turkish crescent | Unknown maker | 1994
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This is the mighty Turkish Crescent, a symbol of power in the Ottoman military. The instrument is played by shaking it up and down or twisting it back and forth and the sound is said to lift the spirits of soldiers as they march into battle.
Made in Istanbul on a commission from the Museum of the Janissary Band in Istanbul. The Turkish crescent, or Çevgen, has been a feature of the `Janissary' band, the band of the Sultan's guard in Istanbul from the 15th century to the 19th century. The tradition of janissary music has recently been revived, and the traditional instruments are now made again: this is a modern reproduction made for performance purposes, copied from originals in the Museum of the Janissary Band in Istanbul. The 18th century Janissary bands started a fashion for `Turkish Music' in Europe, and many composers such as Mozart and Beethoven introduced `Turkish' elements into their music, especially operas, at appropriate places. These elements of Turkish flavour were usually confined to bass drum and cymbals. However, some composers such as Berlioz wrote parts specifically for the Turkish Crescent, and numerous military bands of the early 19th century added them ad lib to their instrumentation, when they were colloquially known as `jingling johnnies'.
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