Kudsi Erguner has devoted his life to promoting the rich heritage of Ottoman musical history on the international stage, a legacy also shaped by the contributions of Turkish, European, and Arab musicians. At the heart of his musical formation stands the ney, the reed flute elevated by the great mystical poet Mevlana (Jalal al-Din Rumi) to a spiritual symbol representing the inner voice of the soul.

That formation was nurtured within a family of musicians and through his ensemble’s concerts and recordings it has helped explore the richness of a musical culture that holds a universal heritage.

In describing the environment he grew up in, he also illustrates the main elements that compose the formal structure of the fasıl, the suite where vocal and instrumental pieces unfold in alternation. Central to the fasıl are the melodic progressions of the taksim, an improvised form used to explore the characteristics of the various modal scales, makamlar, that underpin the musical system of Ottoman artistic culture. 

About Kudsi Erguner

Kudsi Erguner came from a family of musicians. His father Ulvi and grandfather Suleyman Erguner are among the most famous ney players. Suleyman Erguner Dede was a pupil of Emin Dede (1883–1945), himself a pupil of Aziz Dede (1840–1905) and Hüseyin Fahreddin Dede (1854–1911). Kudsi Erguner thus had the opportunity to rub shoulders with the musical greats from the older generation and used his time with them to immerse himself in an authentic style reflecting centuries of musical tradition that he keeps alive today. Read more

Episode's musical sources list

Hicaz Taksim – on ney by Kudsi Erguner 

Segâh Taksim – on ney by Süleyman Erguner (grandfather of Kudsi Erguner)

Rûy-i Irâk Âyin – composed by Ahmed Avni Konuk

Uşşak Taksim – on ney by Ulvi Erguner (father of Kudsi Erguner)

Rast Kâr – composé par Abdülkadir Meragi interpreted by (ensemble Ulvi Erguner)

 Nevâ Kâr – composed by Buhurizade Mustafa Itrı, interpreted by (ensemble Kudsi Erguner) Arrangements by Kudsi Erguner

Ferahfezâ Taksim – au ney composed and interpreted by Kudsi Erguner 

Beyati Araban Peşrev – composed by Ulvi Erguner interpreted by Erguner brothers

Buselik Peşrev – composed by Dimitrie Cantemir (interpreted by ensemble Kudsi Erguner) Arrangements by Kudsi Erguner

Nishaburek Yürük Semai – Greek version by Yorgos Protopsaltis interpreted by (ensemble Kudsi Erguner) Arrangements by Kudsi Erguner 

Saba Şarkı – composed by Suphi Ziya Ozkan & interpreted by Nesrin Sipahi and (ensemble Kudsi Erguner)

Saba Nihavend Taksim – composed and interpreted by Kudsi Erguner au ney 

Hümayun Peşrev – composed byVeli Dede interpreted by (ensemble Kudsi Erguner)

Hicaz Şarkı – composed by Sadettin Kaynak & interpreted by Müzeyyen Senar & (ensemble Kudsi Erguner) Arrangements by Kudsi Erguner 

Şedaraban Saz Semaisi – composed by Tanburi Cemil Bey interpreted by ensemble Kudsi Erguner)

Suznak Saz Semaisi – composed by Tatyos Efendi (interpreted by ensemble Kudsi Erguner)

Disclaimer

Mediterranean Intangible Heritage Soundscape is a podcast by Paolo Scarnecchia, produced by UNIMED, Mediterranean Universities Union. Musical works included in the Podcast are used for purpose of illustration for teaching, and not for commercial purposes.

Please notice that opening and closing voice over is generated with AI tools.