The Nefes of the Bektâshî Sufi Brotherhood in Istanbul and the Balkans

This album explores peripheries, spirituality and history. Arising from the seventh Bîrûn workshop in Ottoman music organised by neyzen (a master of the ney - reed flute) Kudsi Erguner, it explores the musical heritage of Bektashi Sufis from the peripheries of the Ottoman Empire. The tracks fall into three categories: ilahi, the standard ‘hymn’ form of Ottoman Sufi music; nefes, the sung form specific to the Bektashi; and taksim, instrumental improvised interludes exploring a maqam (mode). Although the ney is more traditionally used by Mevlevis than Bektashis (the melody commonly carried by saz in Bektashi music), it is here included, as most pieces are adapted from transcriptions made by Mevlevi dervish and neyzen, Rauf Yektâ Bey.

Erguner's arrangements introduce the variety of the Bektashi canon, in which pieces would traditionally last longer to meditate upon the text. He achieves this by abridging poetry, combining pieces with a capella passages, and reducing improvisation. The music's ornamentation is sparser than other Ottoman music, foregrounding the stately, reflective melodies. Anyone purchasing this collection should buy the physical copy or download sleeve notes, as the historical information, introductions to each piece and poetry translations introduce information with which to appreciate the music's beauty.