Mystical Garden

Amazon.com
Working with longtime producer-multi-instrumentalist Brine Keane, Omar Faruk Tekbilek creates evocative soundscapes of Middle Eastern origin, both original compositions and arrangements of traditional material. Ney, kavala, zurna, baglama, oud, bendir and cumbus are set in a discreet wash of synthesizer drones and percussion parts performed by five members of his ensemble. The tone is light but spiritual, retaining an affinity to his heritage--but with a nod to contemporary New Age sensibilities, especially in the simple arrangements and occasional use of ambient nature sound effects. However, the strength of musicianship and commitment to tradition assures that Mystical Garden stays firmly rooted in the pastures of Allah and not in the organic flower borders of background music. Tekbilek makes original and uplifting music that consistently rewards the listener. --Derek Rath

Tracks:

Other Side Of The River
Magic Of The Evening
Laz
Shashkin
Hasret
Egyptian Dance
Three Last Words
Mystical Garden
Hu Allah

Amazon.com

Working with longtime producer-multi-instrumentalist Brine Keane, Omar Faruk Tekbilek creates evocative soundscapes of Middle Eastern origin, both original compositions and arrangements of traditional material. Ney, kavala, zurna, baglama, oud, bendir and cumbus are set in a discreet wash of synthesizer drones and percussion parts performed by five members of his ensemble. The tone is light but spiritual, retaining an affinity to his heritage--but with a nod to contemporary New Age sensibilities, especially in the simple arrangements and occasional use of ambient nature sound effects. However, the strength of musicianship and commitment to tradition assures that Mystical Garden stays firmly rooted in the pastures of Allah and not in the organic flower borders of background music. Tekbilek makes original and uplifting music that consistently rewards the listener. --Derek Rath

Album Description

Omar Faruk Tekbilek continues to delight Western listeners with a vast array of Middle Eastern musical traditions. As the follow up to his debut solo recording Whirling, Mystical Garden combines Faruk's musical mastery, composition and mystical influences creating a soulful and emotional musical journey. Mystical Garden (and the self-titled track) is a variation on a theme. It is the reflection of Faruk's inspiration by "the unity of the Mystical life. The garden is an island surrounded by the ocean of sincerity. Everyone with their sincere hearts chanting God's name in their language. In essence, we are the flowers owned by the one and only Gardener." Mystical Garden places more emphasis on Faruk's writing, featuring five original tracks. And there is a greater emphasis on the stellar musicianship of the players. Egyptian Dance demonstrates traditional Egyptian motives, with variations on the rhythm and the scales. Hu Allah continues to tell Faruk's story in the garden, with his soulful voice over a bed of chanting, nature sounds, and orchestration, along with oud, ney, and bendir. As the last track, this piece leaves the listener in a peaceful trance. To compare Faruk to Western musicians, it would be as if one musician was a master of the drums, percussion, guitar, flute, recorder, oboe, and more. Add to this Faruk's mystical influences, and the listener is in for an extraordinary experience.

Customer Reviews:

lovely, danceable, and kind of New Age?.......2006-05-16

I really enjoy Omar Tekbilek's various musical endeavors, and this one is no exception. For dancing, it's set up a little differently, as in mostly very slow, dreamlike pieces which would be good for slow floor work. The three faster pieces seem sort of out of place on this particular album, but can be used for dance, although the 'Laz' (a 7/8 rhythm) is very tricky to dance to, the other two being easier; a malfuf and a saiidi rhythm. Very usable, but for two very different moods.

Beautiful Eastern collection. A must for lovers of Turkish music.......2006-01-17

I had doubts before buying it. Thought it was not what I was looking for and hoped that it doesn't come out to be boring. Some intrumental turkish songs, eventhough beutiful, do really bore you after a while. But this is really cool! I liked 2nd track and #10 and others too. I am now a fan of Omar Tekbilek:)

music that transports.......2003-04-09

mystical garden transports me to another place, another time, rekindles my imagination, and makes me want to and dance ...

music that transports.......2003-04-09

mystical garden transports me to another place, another time, rekindles my imagination, and makes me want to and dance ...

superb.......1999-07-02

must hav

Average customer rating:

Music to get you through a bad moment or two

Love

Manufacturer: Explore the Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000006DJ2
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

Fanfare For The Common Man
The Planets, Suite For Orchestra, Op. 32 Mars, Bringer Of War
Fantasie In G Minor, BWV 542
The Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of Trevi At Mid-Day
Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Symphony No. 10 In E Minor, BWV 565: Allegro
String Quartet In F Major, Op. 96: Finale
Apres une lecture du Dante
Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 In A Major
Te Duem: Tibi omnes Angeli
Estancia: Danza final
Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 43: Finale
Symphony No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 78: Maestoso
Carmina Burana: Ave formosissima, O fortuna

Amazon.com

Like Allegro's "Power" album, this is apparently intended as a vehicle to sell other discs, on the Nimbus, Vanguard Classics, Carlton Classics, Dorian Recordings, and Collins Classics labels. Sure wish we could find out who the performers are, but they are not listed anywhere. All we see are teeny reductions of the album covers from which these cuts are recycled. We get Vaughan Williams's "Lark Ascending," of course, and the Adagietto from Mahler's Fifth Symphony, of course. The high point of the album is the Larghetto from Mozart's Clarinet Quintet in A Minor, featuring the legendary Karl Leister of the Berlin Philharmonic. This we know not because we can find any credits, but because Leister's distinctive sound is unmistakable. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

Music to get you through a bad moment or two.......2001-02-07

I first heard the Finzi cut (Eclogue) from this CD while suffering through a miserable plane flight. I clamped on the headphones and listened to the Finzi time and again and was able to drift off into a semi-state of relaxation to make the time sandwiched in that sardine can pass more or less bearably.

Finzi, a 20th Century British composer who is sadly neglected in the US, wrote this Eclogue for a never-to-be-finished piano concerto. He realized it stood well on its own and it was published as a complete composition. One only regrets that Finzi did not write the entire concerto as this fragment is incredibly beautiful. Close your eyes and you will see rolling, green pastures, bubbling streams, birds floating on warm breezes, fleecy clouds. Anyway, that's what I see whenever I play it. It's heavenly.

All the music on this CD (which is poorly titled and has boring cheap graphics on the cover) are masterpieces. And the selections are appropriate for one another. But get it for the Finzi and you won't be disappointed. All in all, the whole cd is lovely music and nicely selected.

Fog on the Windshield
Average customer rating:
Fog on the Windshield

Manufacturer: Mystic Fog Garden
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA76J6
Release Date: 2005-01-18

Magic Garden
Average customer rating:
Magic Garden

Manufacturer: Ocean Door
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAASHS
Release Date: 2003-06-03