Derviches Tourneurs de Turquie - La Cérémonie des Mevlevî (1991)

Here, the great Kudsi Erguner performs (in tandem with a number of other musicians) a sema ceremony in the Bayati mode. The compositions on this album were penned by Kochek Dervish Mustafa Dede, a Sufist from the 16th century. It stands as the oldest composition of Mevlevi Sufi music with a known composer. Not only that, but it's a relatively lively composition that's executed wonderfully on this album. The ney playing by Erguner is outstanding, as one would expect, and the vocals from the accompanying group work well within the framework set out by the ney and bendir. For someone looking to delve into the music of the dervishes, this album from a relatively small French label wouldn't be a bad place to start. There are countless other worthwhile albums available, but this one falls into the group of better ones. For a look into the breadth of Islamic music, of which this is only one part, one might wish to look into the Music of Islam series on Celestial Harmonies (which also includes an album from the Aissaoua sect of Sufism), but for sheer Mevlevi goodness, this album would be a good way to go.

Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide

1. NA'AT -I-MEVLÂNÂ (Praise to the Prophet)
TAKSÎM (Improvisation on the ney)
2. PESREV (Instrumental prelude)
BIRINCI SELÂM (First salutation)
3. IKINCI SELÂM (Second salutation)
4. UÇUNCI SELÂM (Third salutation)
DORDUNCU SELÂM (Fourth salutation)
TAKSÎM (Improvisation on the kemanche)
5. NIYÂZ AYINI (Ceremony of the vow)
TAKSÎM (Improvisation on the ney)

6. RECITING THE KORAN

 Derviches Tourneurs de Turquie - La Cérémonie des Mevlevî (1991)

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