Meterhaneaua – principala modalitate de manifestare a puterii politice prin muzică
THE MEHTERHÂNE – THE MAIN METHOD OF MANIFESTING POLITICAL POWER THROUGH MUSIC

Summary/Abstract: Mehter music or “Mehterhâne” represents the military music used in the Ottoman Empire both in times of war and in times of peace. It had as main purpose the accompaniment of the Ottoman armies in war. During the battle, the roles of this band were those of inducing the soldiers a winning spirit, of motivating and lifting the spirits of the people, of keeping the cadence of the attacks, of setting the sound signals of the various military manoeuvres, as well as that of celebrating the victories. In times of peace, the mehter music was part of religious celebrations and private events. It could be listened to by a great number of people, starting with the sultan and ending with the common people, due to the fact that the great dimensions of the orchestra and the powerful sounds did not allow it to manifest itself in small, restricted spaces. Thus, it became accessible to everyone. Another characteristic of the mehter music is in close connection with the political power, which it symbolises and represents in various circumstances.

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