TRADITIONAL SUFI MUSIC CONCERT

The Traditional Meshq Practice as a Pillar of Sufi Music Education In the classical Turkish music tradition, meshq refers to an oral and experiential mode of transmission that encompasses both teaching and learning. Through meshq, a student does not merely memorize a musical composition from their teacher; they absorb the master’s demeanor, aesthetic sensibility, and spiritual state. It is a method that fosters not only technical mastery but also ethical formation and inner refinement. The often-cited adage “There can be no meshq without love” encapsulates the spirit of this tradition: the aim is not only musical beauty but also divine pleasure and the heartfelt transmission of sacred meanings to listeners. Historically, meshq was practiced in a wide variety of spaces—from imperial palaces and aristocratic mansions to mosques and the tevhidhâne (chanting halls) of Sufi lodges. Each venue and spiritual lineage contributed its own distinctive tone and interpretation. Most notably, the so-called tekke tavrı (“tekke style”) developed within Sufi lodges, characterized by the integration of music and dhikr (remembrance of God). This form of practice could manifest either in ecstatic and fervent expressions or in silent, contemplative introspection. A French traveler visiting Istanbul in the 17th century recorded a striking observation: he saw a student in a mosque attempting to replicate a hymn (ilahi) as demonstrated by his teacher—without any reference to written notation. He remarked that the Turks privileged imitation of living performance over reading scores, emphasizing the embodied style of the master. Indeed, meshq is not merely the transmission of sound but the conveyance of an attitude, a tradition, and an ethical orientation from heart to heart. In this sense, meshq is directed not to the concert stage but to spiritual gatherings. Rather than a performance for spectators, it is an atmosphere of mahabbet (spiritual affection) and irfan (gnosis). Sustained through centuries of master-apprentice transmission, this tradition has become a vessel of cultural memory—engraved in the hearts of countless composers, zakirs, and dervishes. Today, the Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble carries this centuries-old tradition into the present. Operating under the auspices of the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Fine Arts, the ensemble preserves and revitalizes the meshq tradition through both domestic and international performances. Their mission is not limited to music: they present an ethical and spiritual heritage—an enduring civilization of sound and soul—to all of humanity.