Department of Music

Join internationally acclaimed music band TURKU: Nomads of the Silk Road for a unique sound mix of traditional music from Anatolia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans.

TURKU (www.turkumusic.com) is a world music ensemble based in the U.S. whose members are dedicated not only to performing high energy vintage village music of Middle Eastern and Eurasian cultures such as Turkey, Persia, Kurdistan, the Caucasus, and the Balkans, but also to researching and preserving those traditions.  The raw energy in their music comes from TURKU's saz, bass, and layered percussion.  Farzad Farhangi's soaring yet contemplative violin is the burning nuance swirling above that sea of churning rhythm.  Although they use only traditional instruments like oud, saz, and tar (Eurasian lutes) combined with doumbek, davul, and kasik (Eurasian and Middle Eastern percussion instruments), the performers' sound draws upon a driving beat and instrumental improvisation, not unlike modern jazz. 

Since 1998, TURKU has performed for audiences as large as 25,000 people and as far away as Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Its music has received international radio play, and its performances have been televised around the world.  The ensemble has released several recordings, including the highly acclaimed albums “Alley of Istanbul” and “Nomads of the Silk Road.”  TURKU is noted for its lively concert performances, having crowds on their feet dancing from the first drumbeats.  Its Charlottesville performance will feature all five band members:  Ted Monnich on saz, Farzad Farhangi on violin, Daveed Korup on hand drums, Carla Monnich on davul and zils, and Behyar Behipour on bass guitar.

BRIDGING WORLD REGIONS: THE TURKIC CONNECTION is a multi-layered academic project taking place at the University of Virginia during the Spring 2011 academic semester, a product of the collaborative effort of the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures and the Center for Russian and East European Studies with support from the Page-Barbour Fund.  It consists of symposia, lectures, and discussions on Turkey, the Turkic republics and Turkic-speaking populations around the world.  TURKU's performance coincides with a two-day symposium, "Histories and Identities," Feb. 25-26, featuring several distinguished visiting scholars.

For more information on Turkic Connection and a detailed schedule:
http://www.virginia.edu/mesa/Events/Special_Events/Turkic_Connection/index.html

To schedule interviews or other press enquiries, please contact Turkic Connection administrative assistant Sena Aydin at .