When Omar Faruk Tekbilek gave up studying to become a Sufi priest, he dedicated his life to the philosophy and beliefs embodied in Sufism, the metaphysical aspect of Islam that focuses on knowledge of oneself and unity with all of creation. Renowned as a Turkish maestro, Mr Tekbilek intertwines the Sufi spiritual philosophies with his music. In a world so often divided by religious differences, particularly those between fundamentalist Islam and Christianity, Mr Tekbilek lives by the mantra ‘Humanity can be understood better through music.’ And for him that understanding of humanity comes from his Sufi beliefs.
‘Sufi looks at everything, at the nature of God and what was created because of the Creator. They don’t see any difference, just oneness of God in every living creature. It’s beautiful. I feel that and through my music I have found a way to express it,’ he says.
As an internationally-sought and revered master of a wide-range of classical Turkish instruments, Mr Tekbilek heads something of a United Nations ensemble that includes a Greek keyboarder, Israeli-born guitarist, and an Armenian-Egyptian multi-percussionist. The composition of the ensemble reinforces the message of their compositions.
‘When we listen to music our hearts receive and enjoy it. Our nationality disappears, and we feel like we are human beings and we can feel each other heart to heart. It doesn’t matter if we are Greek, Armenian, Turkish. In my music, I reflect that.’
When selecting musicians for collaboration Mr Tekbilek seeks individuals that both understand the musical philosophy behind classical Turkish composition, which has different rhythms and scales to Western music, and that believe in the unity of Mediterranean culture, which Mr Tekbilek says, ‘was one culture’ in earlier times and traded ‘their language, marriage, music, goods, everything.’
A master of such classical Turkish instruments as the ney (an end-blown flute) and zurna (a double reed, oboe-like instrument), Mr Tekbilek believes the oneness of Mediterranean culture ‘is very apparent in the music because we connect it all, we are the centre, bringing all this culture into our music and expressing it. I’m looking to amplify this connection in my music through the selection of songs, and I expect musicians to reflect this vibration.’
The message Mr Tekbilek’s music carries has been spread across the globe on countless international tours that have included performances for such influential people as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Turkish President.
‘I played for the Turkish President in Ramadan. The President was watching and listening because a couple of songs he knows. One of them, ‘I Love You’, they used in his wedding ceremony. So, when I was on stage, he was looking very eagerly. I played that song and he clapped and bowed.’
Though Mr Tekbilek has been a guest soloist on Australian tours before, he comes to Australia in March on his first ever tour with his own ensemble. They will play only one show in Perth on Monday, March 17 at the Perth Concert Hall. Tickets are available for $65 through BOCS Ticketing – 9484 1133 or www.bocsticketing.com.au.
