Program 755: Soldier Poets of WWI; Village Turkey

Poems written in the trenches of the First World War can bring us a uniquely personal view of the horrors it unleashed. On the next Travel with Rick Steves, author Michael Korda introduces us to the soldier poets from "the war to end all wars."

And a Turkish guide takes listener calls, with advice for finding a friendly welcome in the rural villages of Turkey, where the main attraction just might be you!

• Michael Korda, author of "Muse of Fire: World War I as Seen Through the Lives of the Soldier Poets" (Liveright)
• Lale Sürmen Aran, tour guide/operator from Istanbul

• Michael Korda is editor-in-chief emeritus at Simon & Schuster and has written 20 books to date. His latest title is "Muse of Fire: World War I as Seen Through the Lives of the Soldier Poets."
• The Imperial War Museums in London come highly recommended by both Rick and Michael.
• Rick spoke with Mark D. Van Ells, author of "America and WWI: A Traveler's Guide," about First World War sites to visit on Travel with Rick Steves program #423a in November 2018.
• Lale Sürmen Aran operates SRM Travel, which specializes in tours of Turkey and the Middle East region.
• Lale and her husband Tankut are co-authors of the Rick Steves Istanbul guidebook. They also operate a boutique hotel in Mustafapasa called Cappadocia Estates.
• Pointers for playing "tavla," the variety of backgammon played in Turkey.

• Caller reports he enjoyed visiting Istanbul and is considering travel to eastern Turkey to explore family heritage. "I am Armenian, and my grandparents lived in Istanbul, Ankara, and villages in eastern Turkey. I would like to travel to the eastern part of Turkey and visit some of the villages my father's family was from. Is there any issue about my background?" (Mike in Ann Arbor, Michigan)
• "I'd like info on a one-day cooking class in a Turkish village." (e-mail from Gloria in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania)
• Asks for advice on whether it's wise to travel as a single woman alone in the small villages east of Ankara. "I have read some advice that western Turkey is preferable in terms of safety. Also, I read some cautions on a government site and wonder about traveling in Turkey with the war in Syria and tensions in the Middle East." (Sally in Lavelle, Pennsylvania)

• Turk Sanat Muziki, "Ud Taksimi," Nevzat Atlig: Klasik Türk Müziği / EMI-Kent
• London Symphony Orchestra, John Barbirollo, cond, "Tintagel (Arnold Bax)," British Composers Guide to Britain, disc 2 (collection) / EMI
• Hillmar Orn Hilmarsson, Stefan Orn Arnarson, Szymon Kuran, "Arns Moriendi," Invocation (collection) / Real World-Caroline
• The Cleveland Symphonic Winds, Frederick Fennell, cond., "The brisk young sailor (Percy Grainger)," Music, The Sea & Manet (collection) / Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Enrico Caruso, "Over There," The Great War: 50 Original Historic Recordings From the First World War Years 1914–1918 (collection) / TPX
• * Travnicek Quartet, "String Quartet in F major, No. 35, II: assez vif (Ravel)," Impressionist Masterminds (collection) / X5 Music Group
• SON_SAS_0024_00901_Turkish_Gathering_A_APM
• Orchestre de l'Opera National de Lyon, Kent Nagano, cond., "Le Tombeau de Couperin: Prelude (Ravel)," Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, etc. / Erato
• Natalie Clein, "Threnos (John Tavener)," Essential Tavener / Decca
• SON_SCD_0374_02401_Between_Two_Wars_APM
• Orchestre Capitole de Toulouse, "5 Grimaces: Modéré (Satie, arr. Milhaud)," Satie: Orchestral Works / EMI Classics
• James DeMars, "An American Requiem, part 4: Memorial Prayer (James DeMars)," An American Requiem for Soloists, Chorus, and Orchestra / Arts Renaissance Foundation
• Christopher Parkening, guitar, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, "'Arioso,' from Cantata 156 (J. S. Bach)," The Great Recordings, disc 2 / EMI
• Metropolitan Military Band, "United Forces March," The Great War: 50 Original Historic Recordings From the First World War Years 1914–1918 (collection) / TPX
• The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, "Medley: It's a Long Way to Tipperary; et al," Classic Bagpipe Melodies, vol. 2 (collection) / Rapier Music
• Turk Muzigi Saz Eserleri, "Mahur Saz Semai," Darus-Sifa: The Ottoman Music / Kalan Muzik (Turkey)
• * John Williams, "Pavane for Guitar and String Orchestra (Gabriel Fauré, arranged by J. Williams)," Creating the Perfect Atmosphere (collection) / Sony Classical
• Kenan Dogulu, "Bir Yanek Ver," Pop Turkish (collection) / Atoll Music (France)
• Vadik Genctur, "Oud Solo," Echoes of Anatolia (collection) / Music of the Earth (field recording by Keiji Azami)
• Misirli Ibraham Efendi, "Acemasiran Saz Semai," Darus-Sifa: The Ottoman Music / Kalan (Turkey)
• Arto Tuncboyaciyan, "Singing to the Mountains," Every Day is a New Life / Living Music
• Hasan Cihat Orter, "Flirting Shadows," Re-Formation / Sony Music (Turkey)
• Orient Expressions, "Ehmedo," Divan / DoubleMoon (Turkey)
• BM_BMLP_0073_00501_Highlands_And_Islands_APM
• SON_SCD_0035_01301_Now_Is_The_Month_Of_Maying_APM
• KPM_KPMLP_1151_00201_The_Gay_Highlanders_APM

* Indicates filler music used during internal breaks on the broadcast

• In the open to segment A, Rick calls this a "Memorial Day" edition of Travel with Rick Steves. (It is not mentioned, but this year is the 110th anniversary of the start of the First World War in June 1914.)
• Rick refers several times to "Muse of Fire" as Michael Korda's "latest book."
• Lale tells caller Mike that the border between Turkey and Armenia remains closed at 48:08.
• At 55:00, Lale reassures caller Sally that problems in neighboring Syria should have no impact on travels in Turkey.

Pgm #755 Haiku awards

Walking Ben Nevis
An eternal 'thin place,' near
To God, in Scots' Land

— Carla Wright, Georgetown, Kentucky

Cross Fell, Pennine Way
Needs a day of fine weather
We didn't get it.

When drinking tea
Milk always goes in last of all
As the Queen Mum did
— Ian Park, Burley-in-Wharfedale, England

No Rosetta Stone
for a Glaswegian voice
just peel the pub egg.
— Daniel Roberts, Lambertville, New Jersey