Sufi Music of Turkey [Import]

1. Tales from the Ney

2. Semai

3. Zikr

4. Prelude of Ceremony

5. Voyager

6. Balade

7. Aksak Semai

8. Wordless Prayer

Tracks:

Ferahfeza Peprev - Mevlana Kultur Ve Sanat Vakfy Sanatcylary
Az Hoosne Malihe Khud (Pakistan) - Sabri Brothers
Alam (Egypt) - Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tuni
Oalbi Yuhaddithuni (Egypt) - Sheikh Yasin Al-Tuhami
Saba Atu Rijal (Morocco) - Hassan Hakmoun
Tere Ishq Nachaaya (Pakistan) - Abida Parween
Shah Khoshini (Iran) - Ostad Elahi
Dembe (Senegal) - Boubacar Diagne
Al Asfur (Egypt) - Sheikh Ahmad Barrayn
Ghayri Ala S-Sulwan Qadir - Sama I Rast (Syria) - Hamza Shakkur
Rahway Wasdi Jhok Faridan Di (Pakistan) - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Customer Reviews:

Cross-Cultural Journey to the Heart of Sufism.......2006-09-29

In recent years, Sufism (the mystical practices of Islam) has become a popular subject in the West. No small part of this is due to the passionate and powerful singing of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the undisputed master of Pakistani Qawwali music. Naturally, he is included on this CD, but Sufism exerts a pull across the Muslim world, and this CD shows other forms of Sufi music as well. Hassan Hakmoun shows the African-tinged music of Morocco's Gnawa brotherhood, Orchestra al-Kindi (led by Hamza Shakkur) and Sheikh Yasin al-Tuhami demonstrate classical Arabic music traditions, Ostad Elahi performs the music of Iran's Kurdish dervishes, and Boubacar Diagne shows the ceremonial music of the Quadiriya brotherhood of West Africa. Fans of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are in for a treat, since there are also incredibly moving performances of Qawwali by the Sabri Brothers and Abdia Parween, as well as music from Turkey's Mevlana mystics (the famous 'whirling dervishes'). Drawing upon music from Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Senegal and Syria, this CD is an incredible journey across the Muslim world, showing many different forms of devotion to God through music. Anyone interested in the musical heart of the Islamic faith should check this CD out, as it's cheap, easy to find, and very enlightening.

Diverse Sufi Music from Around the Globe (3.5 of 5).......2004-03-19

This is the first ever Rough Guide to "-----" Music CD that disappointed me. Sadly, I feel lukewarm about half the tracks. I had high expectations and hoped for more zikr and qawwali styles. The words 'captivating' and 'trance-inducing' do not describe the music because nearly half the tracks sound so uninspired. Tracks # 4 and #5 start out slowly and leave me impatient. Perhaps in another culture and era, the music needed to evolve gradually into a fast rhythm and pace. It is likely this took several hours. The one main flaw with this CD is it covers too many different cultures and styles or maybe the problem is the sequence of music, i.e. the order in which they are played. Only 6 out of 11 tracks made a positive impression. Luckily, there are moments when the tiresome tracks redeem themselves with nice instrumentation. The arrival of the sweet sound of the ney or sensitive strumming of a lute is very welcome ...

The first track is the Turkish group, Mevlana Kultur Ve Sanat Vakfy Sanatcylary who use the lute and other string instruments to create a a wave-like undulating melody that feels natural ... like rocking gently on a ship at sea. They manage to weave ancient melodies with a modern expression and bring the message of the 13th C. Sufi philospher into modern times, telling us tolerance is sovereign (the liner notes tell us) and everything has a spirit therefore we should strive not to injure or harm anything. The music matches these words. The sound of the words sung is consistent with the melody and percussion by this group. The Sabri Brothers of East Punjab, India now a part of Pakistan, also produce a wonderful calm introduction that builds up to a very enjoyable intensity, chanting the sacred sound of "ah" ... occasionally there is a lead singer and at times a response is given by a chorus. The tabla creates an extremely infectious beat with natural progression of sound and authenticity. The two artists with the most impact on this CD, are Abida Parween, a female modified qawwali vocalist, who is dynamite and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who helped this genre travel around the world, he needs no introduction. In her rendition of "Tere Ishq Nachaaya", Ms Parween reaches a feverish pitch, with a very satisfying climb on a wonderful musical journey. I like the accordion accompaniment. There is no loss of authenticity with this instrument. While almost anything Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sings is enhanced and magnified into a great listening experience, there are far better songs than the one on this CD. Truly, this could have been had been a powerful and exciting production, unfortunately it disappoints. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

exploring the varieties of Sufi music.......2003-01-29

There are many different styles in this compilation, making it an educational, and interesting CD, if not entirely satisfying .
Track # 1 is a lovely, slow instrumental piece by a 19th century Turkish composer. It has a tranquil feel to it, and since I seem to have an affinity for Turkish music, this is one of my choice selections.
Tracks 2, 6, and 11 are from Pakistan, and though music from this area tends to be a little frantic for my taste, these are excellent examples, with the fabulous Sabri Brothers, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who is perhaps the most world renown musician on this CD.

Tracks 3, 4 and 9 hail from Egypt, and # 9 is recited and sung by Sheikh Ahmed Barrayn, who is described as having a "broken and husky voice", and it carries a power that makes this one of the better pieces for me.
Track # 5 from Morocco, is far and away my favorite piece on this disc, with a dazzling nay (a type of flute) solo that contrasts with the vocal. It is melodic and wonderful.

Tracks:

Dastgah of Homayoun\Hassan Kassayi
Meditation\Sheikh Hamza Shakkur & Ensemble Al-Kindi
Dastgah of Shour\Khatereh Parvaneh
Devonah Shaw\Davlatmand\
He Has Not Come\Munadjat Yultchieva
Sheikh Ahmad-E-Jam\Mohammad Rahim Khushnawaz
Fangara Fangarie\Maalem Si Mohamed Chaouqi
Ashik Muslum Sumbul\Durnalar Sema'i\
Kafi of Shah Abdul Latif/Rag Lorrao\\Sohrab Fakir
Haqq Ali Ali\Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Tracks:

Tekbir; Taleal Bedru Aleyna\Ercan Irmak
La Illah Illah Allah\The Women's Ensemble of Ferghana
Tala A Al-Badru Alaina\Fawzy Hafez
Saru Khani\Ostad Elahi
Dhamal Qalandar Shahbaz\\Husna Naz
Shakawtu (A Capella)\Musa Dieng Kala
Qasidat\Kani Karaca\
Zikr Hymn\Ahl-E Haqq Dervishes
Zikr Song\Qaderi Women From Kurdistan
Qalandari Tune (Khorasani)\Yar Mohammad
Kali Kamaliya Wale\The Sabri Brothers

Amazon.com

While the Sufi musical tradition of Pakistan is well documented in the popular press because of the work of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and his predecessors, the Sabri Brothers (both represented with excellent tracks in this collection), the wealth of great art from this religious culture is often left unheard. This two-CD set rectifies the problem with style and beauty. Not only Pakistan, but Egypt, Senegal, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and many other countries in Asia and the Middle East have rich traditions of devotional music from loosely defined Sufi roots, from the simplest solo singer to lush orchestras of percussion, harmoniums, and massed voices. Each of the 21 tracks on Sufi Soul is worth your attention: the incredible passion of a women's choir from Uzbekistan; the sparse, gentle flute solo of ney master Hassan Kassayi; a rare tanbur (lute) and vocal track by Ostad Elahi; a Balachi song for sorud (fiddle). There are standout tracks that need to be mentioned. The frame drum and qanun (zither) come together in Ensemble Al-Kindi for a dramatic, almost avant-garde feeling. An amazing Persian singer, Khatereh Parvaneh, presents the poetry of Rumi in a piece in dastgah shour; she performs with minimum ornamentation to maximum effect, accompanied only by a hammered zither. Senegalese artist Musa Dieng Kala offers one of the most stirring vocal pieces on the set, an a cappella masterwork. As with most of the Network sets, this is a gorgeous package, with great photos and excellent liner notes on the history and the music, in English, French, and German. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Music to reflect by.......2000-06-15

This CD set is one of my two favorites; the other is the Desert Songs compilation by this same label. This very well recorded selection, brings you into the location and mindset of the various Musicians. The really nice presentation, with extensive liner notes, pictures and the sheer wealth and variety of sufi/mystic music from around the world, make this double CD set a thoughtful present for friends interested in esoteric music or Middle Eastern music. It is music to relax and meditate by, music to do your work and dream with. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful!
The best ney recording!

Sufi Music of Turkey
Kudsi & Suleyman Erguner
Manufacturer: Times Square Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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3
Arabo-Andalusian Sufi Songs
Mystical Garden
Crescent Moon
Journeys of a Dervish

ASIN: B00004W5MA
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

Tales From The Ney
Semai
Zikr
Prelude Of Ceremony
Voyager
Balade
Aksak Semai
Wordless Prayer

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful!.......2005-11-29

A beautiful and masterful album played by two leading ney masters. This album entres you into a pure world of contemplation and sufism with the humane sound of the ney, and with some of the most beautiful classical compositions for this instrument. Recommended for those who want to feel the magic and beautifulness of Middle Eastern sufi music!

The best ney recording!.......2001-01-19

I don't know if this is the best, but this is a recording that just takes the top of my head off. The beautiful breathy tones of the ney seem to swirl around and around. There are pieces that are slow and almost seem to make time stop. The duets are subtle -the two neys seemlessly blending and complementing each other.I also enjoy the hypnotic and propulsive selections with the frame drum accompaniment. If you like quiet meditative music with great heart give this a listen.

Music of Islam, Vol. 9: Mawlawiyah Music of the Whirling Dervishes

Average customer rating:

Remembering Rumi
Beautiful, calming, and almost hypnotic music

Music of Islam, Vol. 9: Mawlawiyah Music of the Whirling Dervishes
Galata Mevlevi & Sema Ensemble
Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Music of Islam, Vol. 10: Qur'an Recitation
3
The Music of Islam, Volume 14: Mystic Music Through the Ages
Music of Islam, Vol. 4: The Arabian Peninsula
Sufi Chants From Cairo

ASIN: B0000007Z4
Release Date: 1997-12-02

Tracks:

Na'T-i Sherif - Hasan Semerkantli
Nay Improvisation - Mahmut Bilki
Prelude - Music Of Islam
Sazidilara Ayin - Music Of Islam
Kamanche Improvisation - Sedat Altinoz
Wherever You Turn You See God's Presence - Music Of Islam
Suite In Segah Part 1, Peshrev/Part 2, Sol Cennetin Irmaklari.../Part 3, Ey Allahim Beni Senden... - Music Of Islam
Bowed Tanbour Improvistion - A. Nuri Benli
Suite In Rast Part 1, Ka' Benin Yollari/Part 2, Ey Asik-I Dildade - Hasan Semerkantli

Album Description

Ten years in the making, The Music of Islam series recorded in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran and Qatar represents the most comprehensive sound documentation available to Westerners today, of a world religion dating back to 1/622. Although governed by strict rules for fourteen centuries, contact with other cultures has radically affected Islamic music throughout history. As the world enters the XV/21st century the timing of this collection serves an even larger purpose, documenting the traditions that have survived and will continue to survive for centuries to come. Today, one fifth of the world's population, one billion people, are Muslims, occupying a large territory stretching from the Atlantic shore of north and west Africa, through west, central, and south Asia to island southeast Asia, and attracting an increasing following in India, western Europe, north America, east Asia, and southern Africa. This is a global presence which cannot be ignored.

Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, has long had a tradition of art music, and one of the most celebrated mystical traditions in the world, that of the Mevlevi dervishes, evolved in Turkey. Mevlevi or Mawlawiyah music, developed in the VII/13th century and nurtured by several centuries of sultans, poets, and musicians, remains arguably the greatest Turkish contribution to the music of Islam. Although this music is the focus of this volume its influence is also strongly felt in volume 14.

Tracks 1-6 in this volume represent a complete sema ritual, and other rituals of mystic Mevlevi music are included as well. As a branch of Sufism, the Mevlevis practice the ritual called zikr (Arabic dhikr) - an ecstatic ceremony of invocation and remembrance of God through, among other things, the repeated chanting of his many names. The zikr is practiced by Sufis throughout the Islamic world, and it has been noted that even the Turkish sema is a specific subdivision of this genre of ritual. The Mevlevis also present their mystical music in what might be viewed as a kind of concert suite (tracks 7 and 9). Track 8 is a prelude of sorts that introduces the mode used in the final suite. Each suite is united by a different mode. In every case, the music draws its inspiration from the text, and its structure from a sophisticated set of modes, rhythms, and traditional forms.

Customer Reviews:

Remembering Rumi.......2007-01-13

When you hear the Mawlawiyah Music, your memory will go to the Rumi's Wedding with God. It is very exciting music.

Beautiful, calming, and almost hypnotic music.......2001-12-05

I am uninitiated in the music of Islam, and decided today to purchase two albums. After sampling a few tracks from this particular album, I bought it. The other was "Lalezar - Music of the Sultans, Sufis & Seraglio" also found here at Amazon.

Now that I heard more of it on my home stereo system, I am intrigued and amazed by the beautiful music on this particular CD.

This is volume 9 of the 17 volumes comprising the set. I've been fortunate enough to have seen a live performance of Mawlawiyah music and the Whirling Dervishes, and from that experience I naturally gravitated to this CD in particular.

The Mawlawiyah music are composed and performed for the purpose of bringing all participants, including the listeners, closer to God. The music serves as a vehicle to a spiritual world.

I understood nary a word uttered on this CD, but it didn't matter. I found it strangely relaxing, and I was left longing for more.

Tracks:

Ussak Taksim
Gamzedeyim Deva Bulmam
Bu Aksam Gun Batarken
Guldun Eglendin
Goz Suzup Yan Bakisinla Yine Adatma Beni
Tanbur Taksim
Gonul Dustu Yine Gulzar-I Zevke
Cektim Elimi
Rast Ney Taksim
Cesm-i Fettanin
Mey-i Laline Dil Mestane Olsun
Bir Gonlume bir Hal-i Perisanima Baktim
Bilmem Ki Nedendir, Bana Sen Hor Bakiyorsun?
Keman Taksim
Cana Firkatinle
Klarnet Taksim
Mani Oluyor
Ehl-i Askin Nesvergahi Kusei Mey Hanedir
Ud Taksim
Atfetme Sakin Hancer-i Mujganini Nagah
Gel Ela Gozlum Efendim Yanima
Kanun Taksim
Gozum Hasretle Giryandir

Customer Reviews:

original...exceptional.........2000-07-23

Melihat Gulses brings a new sound and unique interpretation ..Those who has even slightest interest in Turkish Classical Music ought to have a copy of this CD..I want to see more of her recordings available at Amazon.com...

an exellent cd.......2000-07-07

I heard samples, Singer's voice is exellent.

Average customer rating:

Peshrev & Semai of Tanburi Djemil Bey
Kudsi Erguner
Manufacturer: Creative Music Prod.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000008NN3
Release Date: 1994-08-16

Average customer rating:

Stunning
It is hard to find a words for this MASTERPIECE.
Another masterpiece

Works of Kemani Tatyos Efendi
Kudsi Erguner
Manufacturer: Trad. Crossroads
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Vocal Masterpieces of Kemani Tatyos Efendi
Ahenk, Turkish Classical Music

ASIN: B0000031GA
Release Date: 1996-02-20

Tracks:

Suzinak Pesrev
Suzinak Saz Semai
Kurdili Hicazkar Pesrev
Kurdili Hicazkar Saz Semai
Rast Keman Taksim
Rast Pesrev
Rast Saz Semai
Ussak Ney Taksim
Ussak Pesrev
Huseyni Ud Taksim
Huseyni Saz Semai
Karcigar Pesrev
Karcigar Keman Taksim
Karcigar Saz Semai
Bestenigar Kanun Taksim
Bestenigar Pesrev

Customer Reviews:

Stunning.......2006-04-02

I bought this disc mainly out of curiosity: I wanted to hear what Turkish classical music sounded like. What I received was a jewel of a recording: over 70 minutes of music from the one of the late Ottoman Empire's most distinguished composers, music that was alternately emotionally-wrenching, mystical or jubilant. Every composition on this disc is a minor masterpiece and every performance is masterfully executed. The music is 'exotic' and pleasing to Western ears on a superficial level, but close and repeated listening will yield much deeper delights. I am looking forward to soon purchasing the second volume of this series, consisting of Efendi's vocal compositions.

It is hard to find a words for this MASTERPIECE........2000-05-18

Kemani means person who plays violin and Efendi means gentleman in turkish. Only the masters excelled in a field would get a name like Kemani Tatyos Efendi, son of an Armenian merchant. He belongs to a period of radical political and cultural changes in Ottoman History (late 1800s early 1900s). One of the best things about this CD is that it comes with an explanatoy booklet. There is also info on modes of turkish music (called makams). Kudsi Erguner, a master of Ney (a long wind instrument) , and his ensemble perform in a magical, mystical and melodical style that reflects the era of the empire that is about to come to an end. You can really "feel" emotions of this classical period from the music. Sometimes you hear a silent cry of sorrow, and somewhere else a hopeful flowering of joy. This CD and the Vocal Master pieces of Kemani Tatyos Efendi are an essential part of a music library. Thanks to Tatyos Efendi, you will always be remembered. And thanks to Kudsi Erguner and his Ensemble, and Traditional Crossroads, this is a masterpiece.

Another masterpiece.......1999-12-24

So peaceful, so relaxing, so emotional and so sophisticated that you yourself become the music as each note just surrounds you and elevates you to a higher existence. You feel how talented and commited Kudsi Erguner and his friends are as you let yourself go with the melodies of another super gifted personality of music-Tatyos Efendi. Listen to it and be one with this magnificante music.

Gazel: Classical Sufi Music of the Ottoman Empire

Average customer rating:

Haunting and beautiful

Gazel: Classical Sufi Music of the Ottoman Empire
Kudsi Erguner
Manufacturer: Times Square Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FHYYP0
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Tracks:

Esin Var Asiyanin Var
Efendimsin
Halk Icin Muteber
Ey Gonul Yari Iste
Ey Bulbul-i Seyda
Ruzi Seb
Ol Lezzeti Vehhale
Sabreyle Gonul
Zahmi Sinemden

Customer Reviews:

Haunting and beautiful.......2006-12-23

Kudsi Erguner is a major proponent of classical sufi music. This collection on Times Square captures beautifully recorded performances of haunting songs. I enjoy programming it on my weekly radio program, Caravan, on WSUM in Madison, Wis., along with its companion CD, Sharki: Love Songs from Istanbul, featuring Nesrin Sipahi.

L' Orient de l'Occident: Flamenco & Ottoman Sufi Music

Average customer rating:

Great album, big mistake...
World Beat
red herring
Excellent instrumental talent marred by cacaphonous vocals

L' Orient de l'Occident: Flamenco & Ottoman Sufi Music
Kudsi Erguner
Manufacturer: Al Sur
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001UCS
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

El Sol Del Amor
La Noche De La Contemplacion
El Alba De La Union
Solea
Malaguena
En Los Jardines De Granada
Sama
Union De Las Almas

Customer Reviews:

Great album, big mistake..........2003-07-10

The mistake is this record has nothing to do with Cheikh Raymond.
The artists, ALLA (one of the best Oud player) and Youval MICENMACHER (great and sensitive percussionist), deliver a very sharp and efficient example of a rare north african type of music. It can be listen as a "relaxing" music - try it with a good cognac around midnight - or as a sincere "étude" of one of the origin of arabo-andalous music.

World Beat.......2003-01-04

I bought this in Seattle, while attending the Cycle two of Wag-
ner's Ring........and it is a very nice addition to one's "car-
tunes" collection. I like playing it on my computer while doing
research, and it is nicely relaxing. A good intro to Algerian
music. Helps ease the stress of commuter driving.

So if you need a relaxing set of good world-beat tunes, of an
Algerian bent, this is very nice.

red herring.......2001-03-25

This is a colloboration between turkish and flamenco artists and has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO with andaluse music or Chiekh Raymond. The artists involved are fine performers, and overall the album is an unusually successful fusion. It is disturbing that the liner notes seem to indicate that the Erguners, who are great masters of turkish music, are utterly ignorant of the fact that there is a living Andaluse-music tradition throughout North-Africa...I repeat, although this is a sometimes-charming fusion, it is not in any way Andaluse Music.

Excellent instrumental talent marred by cacaphonous vocals.......1999-01-05

This should be a brilliant album and has moments of sheer inspiration. However, even for the most ardent fan of Andalusian music, the vocals are trying. The effect is like spray paint on the Alhambra.

Average customer rating:

Sufi Music From Turkey
Emad Sayyah
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00007KIB8
Release Date: 2003-01-07

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