INTRODUCTION
Since the declaration of "Tanzimat", which was an attempt made in 1839 to reform the political structure of the Ottoman Empire, Classic Turkish music has strived reaching its audience.
Complete inheritance of our musical culture to future generations can only be achieved by correct and quality musical works conducted in an effective manner, free from all kinds of monetary considerations.
Against all these unfavorable developments, there are still institutions and persons who fight to protect their own music by seeking every possible contribution, without any material or non-material considerations.
This album has been prepared with highly valued contributions of such a music lover who believes in this fact in a wholeheartedly manner.
Münip Utandi, possesses a valuable position in the hearts of those who admire Turkish Classical music. With his clean style, velvety voice and excellent interpretation like in his previous albums, is once again very pleased to present you the opportunity of listening a set of one of the most beautiful examples of our music.
I am pleased to make the contribution for the creation of this album and would like to extend my unlimited thanks to esteemed Mr. Turhan Yetkin for his personal contribution to our music.
Osman Nuri Özpekel
Istanbul, October, 2001
ABOUT OUR MUSIC
Turks, who have founded one of the oldest civilizations of the history have had activities in many branches of art. Poems, music and dancing that had more of a religious content during the era of Khuns and Gokturks lost this identify in time. As the society was directed towards more developed religions, its art characteristic started to become more dominant.
Turks have used Stringed musical instruments called "Pipa" and "Kopuz" and have always carried these musical instruments when they were traveling. The songs played and performed by those musicians that were called "Baksi-ozan" were called "Gök", "Ir" and "Dule". It is a well-known fact that the stringed musical instruments used in our contemporary days such as ud, lavta and tanbur originate from stringed musical instrument of kopuz and have been spread to the ancient Greek and the west from Central Asia.
The Turkish music has come from Central Asia to Anatolia in a systemized manner at the stalk of the stringed musical instrument of kopuz and has been transformed to the stringed musical instrument named "Baglama." Consequently, Turkish folk and Turkish classic music have originated from the same source, thus Turkish songs and the türkü are siblings that may not be separated from each other.
During the era of Gokturks and Uygurs, and also during the time of Seljuks and Ottomans, the military band brought our classical music to its peak points with the big support of the Turkish religious music "Tasavvuf."
One of the most important characteristics of the Turkish music is our "Aksak" rhythms that is used very commonly in military music. The "Aksak" rhythm has been used in every country where Turkish have entered in time.
The music that has been systemized in Central Asia by the Turks have been further developed without being influenced by external factors and has been accepted as a science. As of the 13th century, works have been created in scientific fields and in composing. Musical scientists such as Urmiye"li Safiyüddin, Abdülkadir Meragi and Sükrullah and composers such as Hafiz Post, Itri and Dede Efendi are among the most popular ones.
Since the language spoken by those composers was Arabic and Persian, which were the science languages of the era, many Western music Researchers have thought that Turkish music had been originated from Arabs or Persians. However, Turks have not incorporated anything from these nations to their music, on the contrary, Turks had great influence to Arabic and Persian music. It would also be correct to repeat the same thought for those who believe that the Turkish music has been taken from ancient Greek and Byzantine music since the incorrectness of these thesis have been proven by Hüseyin Sadettin Arel in His book "who does the Turkish Music belong to" with all scientific facts.
There are two kinds of music widely listened in the whole world. One of them is Turkish music, which is modal, and the other being tonal music, which has polyphony and is the music of western countries.
The Turkish Music has trained many masters and experts within the framework of its own system and has produced perfect melodies and scientific works. You will be listening the works of the master composers of the 20th century with the voice of Münip Utandý who is also among one of the most predominant performers of our era.
(Source : Ismail Hakki Özkan Türk Musikisi Nazariyati ve Usulleri Kudüm Velveleleri Ötüken Yayinlari)
WHO IS MUNIP UTANDI?
Münip Utandi was born in Antakya in 24 August 1952. He completed his primary, secondary and high school education in this city. During the years he was studying law in the Faculty of Law of Istanbul University, he was a member the Turkish Classical Music Chorus of Bogaziçi University directed by Ruhi Ayangil, to the Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty directed by Dr. Ali Riza Kural, to the Kadiköy Classical Music Association directed by Melahat Pars and thereafter to the University Chorus directed by Süheyla Altmisdört and Ender Ergün.
Being one of the first members of the Istanbul State Classical Turkish Music Chorus of the Ministry of Culture established in year 1976, he proceeded with his work with Nevzat Atlig who has supported him considerably. He took part in local and foreign concerts of the Chorus and he also performed in the TV and radio programs as a soloist.
Münip Utandi, who has given numerous solo concerts, also had many contributions to T.V. serials, theater plays and radio phonic plays with his voice. He took part as a soloist in many international music festivals, including "Bach Days" and "The Music of Common Sense."
With his rich and original voice, his unique style in the classical sense, Münip Utandi is known as one of the most predominant interpreters of Turkish Classical Music in the current era.
In addition to this album that you now old in your hand, three other albums of Münip Utandi with names "Aynali kavaktan Kalamis'a," "Münip Utandi" and "Bitmese Sevgi" have also been released before.
The performer who also works in the fields of styled painting and design has exhibited these works in his concert at the Beyazit University in 1994. Münip Utandi, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation of Mother's and Baby's Health organization also gives concerts for the benefit of this foundation from time to time.
Münip Utandi who is also a member of the Art Committee in Istanbul State Classical Turkish Music Chorus of the Ministry of Culture is married to performer Ceyda Utandi and has a daughter named Merve (born in 1980) who is proceeding with her education in the senior class of the Turkish Classical Music State Conservatory of the Istanbul Technical University.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.utandimuzik.com.trTrack List:
1. Kanun Taksimi
2. Omrumce o saf askini
3. Söyle neden ağladın
4. Hançer-i ebrusu
5. Bir esmer dilberin
6. O guzel basini
7. Meftunun oldum
8. Gecmesin gunumuz
9. Keman taksimi
10. Kýrdýn umidimi
11. Ayrýlýk umitlerin
12. Omrum seni sevmekle
13. Zamanla belki gecer
14. Yanýyor mu yesil koskun
15. Gel gitme kalmasin
16. Ud taksimi
17. Yaz gunleri en tatli
18. Aglamakla inlemekle
19. Yine bu yil ada sensiz
20. Koklasam saclarini
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