Sonia Seeman, director
Mana Pouresmaeil, teaching assistant
This concert will last about 90 minutes without intermission.
Please silence your electronic devices.
Photography, video, or recording of any part of this performance is prohibited
Program
Fasıl Suite of Instrumental and Vocal works in makam Nihavent
1. Oyun Havası – Dance piece; Haydar Tatlıyay, composer (1890–1963).
2. Saz Semai’sı –Instrumental work; improvisations on mendil havası (handkerchief dance) Mesut Cemil Tel composer (1903-1963).
3. Bir demet Yasemin (A Bouquet of Jasmine) light classical song by Zeki Müren (1931–1996); Evim Solmaz, voice.
4. Intizar (My faithful one) Nushabe Muradova, composer; Sudabe Shefa, lyrics as popularized by Elmira Rehimova. Shovqat Aliquileva, director; Tamila Nikazm, voice.
5. Be Isfahan Ro (Go to Isfahan) Ali Akbar Shahnazi, composer; Malek-ol-Shoara Bahar, lyrics; after version by Ostad Taj Isfahani. Ahmad, Ahmadian, voice.
6. Nihavent Longa –Dance piece; Kevser Hanım, composer (1887–1963).
Songs and Instrumental works for spring
7. Two carnival songs from Naxos, Greece: Toútes i Méres (These Days); Bálos Tsamboúna (Bagpipe Dance)
Based on performances by Domna Samiou, Stathis Koukoularis, and Nikos Oikonomidis; Dimitris Gkoulimaris, director; voice.
8. Garun Yekav (Spring is Coming) Armenak Markosyan, composer (1896-1978) Michael Kerbeykian-Mikulka, director, voice; duduk.
9. Şu Yüce Dağların Karı Eridi (The Snow of These High Mountains Has Melted)- Regional song from Tahtacı; based on version by Musa Eroğlu; Doruk Başoğlu, director; kaval; voice; Zeynep Odabaşı, voice.
10. Bereket – composed by Jasim Aziz.
11. Ala hesb wedad (As much as my heart likes) Baligh Hamdi, composer (1932–1993); Salah Abo Salem, lyrics; after version by Abdel Halim Hafiz; Arrangement and Solo voices: Haitham Gabr, Nader Yousef, and Abdullah Alqaroot.
12. One melody-Three songs
Shukno pater – Bengali song; Shaira Rahman, voice
Üsküdar’a gider iken (While going to Üsküdar); Turkish song; Ya banat Iskendariya (Oh girls of Alexandria) Egyptian song.
About the Program
Bereket Middle Eastern Ensemble is comprised of university students, faculty, staff and community members. “Bereket” is a word with cognates in Turkish, Arabic and Persian that translates as “abundance,” “fruitfulness,” and “divine gift.” Over half of our members are from the Middle East, and all are interested in learning about the culture, history, religions and languages from these areas. Our repertoire includes music from the Middle East, Armenia and North Africa. Each semester focuses on a particular era, area and/or topic. This ensemble is offered as a class that is open to the general public as well as to UT students, supported by the Butler School of Music and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Our Fall 2025 concert is an exploration of sung poetry throughout the region of the Middle East considered broadly. We thank the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and the Bulter School of Music for supporting our activities.
Musicians
Ahmad Ahmadian: tombak; voice
Amira Sefidi; def
Annika Mulkay: viola
Andres Rodriguez: bass
Ashley Clark: def; voice
Benjamin Rangell, violin
Daniel Naves: flute
Dimitris Gkoulimaris: lavta; oud; voice
Doruk Başoğlu: drums; kaval; voice
Domenica Aberto de la Fuente: cello; def; voice
Elif Yeğenoğlu: def; voice
Evrim Solmaz: def; voice
Florence Sung: def
Fernanda Loya: def
Fernanda Merlot: def; darbuka
Haitham Gabr: darbuka; def; voice
Hamidreza Fallahi: setar; voice
John Gough: cello
Juniper Katz-Warmflash: cümbüş
Kim Packard: def
Laura Camancho: bass
Mahmoud Ahmadian: kamancheh
Mana Pouresmaeil: def; tombak
Max Geller: tar
Michael Kerbeykian-Mikulka: duduk; oud; voice
Nader Yousef: oud; voice
Oscar Garcia: piano; viola
Philippe Danielides: bouzouki
Sewar al-Masalha: accordion; def
Shaira Rahman: voice, def
Shovqat Aliqulieva: kanun
Slaveya Winkova: def; voice
Sonia Tamar Seeman: kanun; G klarnet
Soroya Limare: def; voice
William Flores: darbuka; def; voice
Zeynep Odabaşı: def; voice
Event Details
Free admission