Music of Turkey Language Turkish with Arabic and
Music of Turkey
• Language: Turkish, with Arabic and Kurdish minorities • Ottoman dynasty: one of most powerful states in world from 15 th-16 th centuries. • Turkish Republic establ. 1923 (first president Ataturk, secular state, adopted Latin alphabet): period of Westernization, elevation of folk music
Turkish Music • Classical music: arose with and associated with Ottoman elite • Fasil: a suite of pieces in concert of classical music, all in one makam, beginning with improvised taksim
Musical Terms • Makam: system of pitches similar to Dastgah (inlcuding quarter tones) • Usul: system of rhythmic cycles (40 -50); each has name indicated on music score (ex. Semai = ¾). Examples: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/4, 28/4, 32/4, 120/4 • Taksim: instrumental improvisation, similar to Persian avaz
Turkish Instruments Oud Zurna Saz Kanun Darbukka
Sufi (Mevlevi) Music Rumi 1207 -1273 • Sufism: religious mystic tradition within Islam. • Turkish Sufi sect of Mevlevi brotherhood: “whirling dervishes. ” • Follow tradition of 13 th cent. Persian mystic theologian Rumi • Sema ritual: music and dance 1503 manuscript
Sema Ritual • Instruments: ney flute, kanun, kamanche, cymbals, oud, bowed lute • Use spinning dance as form of meditation and symbolic transformation. • Seven parts, each with symbolic significance (spinning dance begins in 5 th part) • Involves verses from the Koran, praise poetry, ghazal, chanting, solo instrumental sections (improvised and composed). Tempi begin slow, increase during ceremony.
- Slides: 9