NEFES ENSEMBLE

NEFES ENSEMBLE perform the music of the Ottoman Court and the music of the Sufis.The ensemble comprises members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne musicians of diverse ethnic and cultural heritage.Nefes’ inimitable sound is a synthesis of Turkish instruments such as the ney (a reed flute), kudum (drums) and kanun (plucked zither) and modern orchestral instruments. The ensemble strives to recreate the Ottoman sound and simultaneously creates a musical experience that is unique to Melbourne.Their diverse repertoire spans 500 years of Ottoman history. This includes the music of the Whirling Dervish ceremony from the 13th century as well as the court music of Suleyman the Magnificent in Topkapi Palace. This was an age when Istanbul and the Muslim world was the major centre for science, architecture, arts, and religious freedom. It also includes works from the Tulip Age in the early 18th century, when the Ottoman Empire was at the start of its decline yet at its cultural zenith. Nefes also performs works composed by the Sultans themselves such as the noted neyzen, Sultan Selim III.Much of the Empire’s history shows a time of religious tolerance and multiculturalism. Nefes’ repertoire reflects this with its works by women, Greek, Jewish, as well as Muslim composers. ============================================================ =========================== Last year Nefes appeared with internationally acclaimed Neyzen Kudsi Erguner and his ensemble at the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL. This year the ensemble toured Victoria for Regional Arts Victoria arts2go program, exposing the beauty and diversity of Ottoman and Sufi music to a wider Australian audience. They also take part in exciting collaborative projects with the Melbourne Symphony as part of their Outreach program. ============================================================ ============================ In May 2009, they performed a recital for ABC Classic FM entitled 'From the Garden of Esctasy' at the Iwaki Auditorium as part of their Sunday Live series. ============================================================ ============================ Next Year Nefes will make their debut at THE ADELAIDE FESTIVAL with ILLUMINATIONS of the HEART 3-5 March 2010 Nefes Ensemble together with Baroque Violinist Lucinda Moon, will create three performances that explore the emotions of Joy, Sorrow and Glory through music from the Ottoman Court and the 17th century music of Franz Ignaz Heinrich Biber. Three linked performances will unfold as meditations on Joy, Sorrow and Glory, each concert ending with a collaboration between these great classical traditions on the theme of transcendence.============================================== ========================================== Musician and Artist PETER DAVERINGTON enjoys an international reputation as a performer of the Ney.He specialises in Ottoman Art Music, Turkish Sufi Music (the music of the Whirling Dervishes) and the Classical Arab repertoire.He spent 2 years in Cairo mastering the ney with Ali Abu el Fadl. This was followed by studies in Konya with Suleyman Yardim and then under the master neyzen Omer Erdogudular in Istanbul.He then furthered his studies at the University of Washington with the renowned Ud player, Munir Nurettin Beken.Peter has appeared in recital and on radio throughout Turkey and the US on many occasions to great critical acclaim. He has toured the West Coast of the US as Principal Ney with the Whirling Dervishes in 1998 and 2001. He has also appeared in concert on Turkish National Television, TRT on numerous occasions. Since returning to Melbourne he has established the Nefes Ensemble – a unique collaboration of musicians from the Melbourne Symphony and musicians of the Turkish community in Melbourne. >>>>Read about other members of Nefes Ensemble on our blog >>>>>>