“Music for me is not something to show off. It’s my life. It’s the shortest path to God. Playing is prayer for me.”…. Sound of Istanbul Omar Faruk Tekbilek .
Who is Omer Faruk Tekbilek?
Turkish musician and composer Ömer Faruk (born 1951, Adana, Turkey), also known as Omar Faruk Tekbilek, is one of the foremost Middle Eastern musicians. He is best known for his performances with the ney (Turkish flute) in a Sufi style. He has developed a style that builds on traditional Sufi music, but includes inspiration from ambient electronic musicians, most notably Brian Keane. Together, Tekbilek and Keane have released six successful albums.
Tekbilek plays a wide range of wind, string, percussion and electronic instruments. He is a master of Middle Eastern percussion (Darbuka, Bandir, etc.), He also plays the piccolo-like kaval, and the double-reed zurna. Among stringed instruments, he plays the oud and the bağlama. He sings in many of his recorded works, as well.
Turkish flautist Tekbilek won the “Best Artist of the Turkish Music Award 2003” from the “Turkish Writers Association”. However, He plays not only Turkish, but also Arabic and Armenian music, in addition to his own original works.
Tekbilek said: “If I play an Arabic song, I use an Arabic style; if I play a Turkish song, I use a Turkish style.” (Faruk is half Egyptian himself, and feels a strong affinity for Arabic music).
He has played with the late jazz trumpeter Don Cherry, and has recorded with the Palestinian lute and violin virtuoso Simon Shaheen, with Australian percussionist and composer Michael Askill, with Armenian percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan,and with Armenian lute player Ara Dinkjian.
Tekbilek’s music is rooted in tradition, but has been influenced by contemporary sounds. He views his approach as “cosmic” and his commitment to music runs deep. The four corners of his creativity emanates mysticism, folklore, romance, and imagination. Like Omar Faruk himself, his music symbolizes diversity-in-unity.
Omar Faruk Tekbilek music list
1- Hasret
One of Omar Faruk Tekbilek’s most beautiful compositions, as performed on Dec 28, 2013 in Istanbul with the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by maestro Mr.Gurer Aykal, featuring Itamar Erez on guitar.
2- Crazy Heart
Turkish musician Ömer Faruk Tekbilek is peforming “Crazy Heart” song from “The Meeting of The Legends – Vol.1 FANTASY” album. This album also features famous Armenian-American oud player Ara Dinkjian, composer and kanun and violin player Hasan Işakkut, who has previously worked with Tekbilek on some of his most popular songs, percussionist River Guerguerian, pianist and acoustic guitar player Christopher Rosser and Tekbilek’s son, Murat, who plays the bendi.
3- “Dağlar ile taşlar ile”
“Dağlar ile taşlar ile” This Turkish old song is an example of classical music of the Ottoman Empire of Sufi dervishes. It was written by Turkish Sufi poet YUNUS EMRE (1240 – 1321). In it, Yunus makes a prayer to God through the intercession of sacred places and persons including several Prophets.
Lyrics in English:
With the rocks and mountains high,
Let me call, my Lord, on Thee.
At the dawn with birds that fly,
Let me call, my Lord, on Thee.
With ʿĪsā, raised on high,
With Mūsā on Sinai,
With the rod that he holds by,
Let me call, my Lord, on Thee.
With thankful praise addressed to God
With the Koran’s ‘Say: He is God’,
With bare feet, head uncovered,
Let me call, my Lord, on Thee.
With Ayyūb in suffering drear
With Ya‘qūb shedding many a tear
With Muhammad, loved so dear,
Let me call, my Lord, on Thee.
With this song, Yunus regales,
Singing with the nightingales,
With the Truth’s most loving slaves,
Let me call, my Lord, on Thee
4- Last Moment Of Love
5- I Love You
” I Love You ” a Sufi Turkish Music from Tekbilek’s album “One Truth” Year 1999
6- Moment Of Doubt
7- Magic Of The Evening
8- Long Wait
9- Kolaymi
10- Whirling Dervish
11- Why
