The Omar Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble graced the UVM Lane Series with a stunning performance in the recital hall on Friday, January 30, 2009. The sold-out audience was astounded by the unique and vibrant sound of this five-man ensemble, which weaves traditional Turkish music with Middle Eastern rhythms and original compositions. Omar’s powerful vocals and wide range created an authentic Turkish feel along with his mastery of numerous instruments – the ney (bamboo flute), the zurna (double-reed oboe-like instrument), and the baglama (long-necked lute). Hasan Isakkut’s skillfull kanun playing seemed to float off the stage as it wooed the audience members and sent a soothing rhythmic wave across the recital hall. The intricate percussion pieces played by River Guerguerian and Murat Tekbilek left listeners in a dizzy as the beats quickened in pace to produce a dance-like genre during the song “Laz”, leaving many audience members feeling inclined to get on their feet and move. Chris Rosser, on the keyboards, played in wonderful harmony with Omar throughout the entire show, while Omar’s baglama playing tied the entire ensemble together. The ensemble’s fusion of traditional and modern forms results in a wide array of musical emotions, from uplifting dance music to slow and somber arrangements.

The evening was capped off with a beautiful reception of Turkish food and tea, catered by The Anatolian and Dobra Tea, where there was a meet and greet with the ensemble. Omar signed CDs for fans and posed for pictures while everyone enjoyed good food and good company. It seemed apparent, by the end, that the Omar Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble is comprised of a group of down to earth people with a fascinating take on an ancient musical tradition from across the world.

HEAD COLD TONIC - decongestant and anti-inflammatory
1/2 cup shredded ginger root
1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best, if not then Santa Cruz or another organic brand - it must be pure lemon juice - no additives!)
1/8 cup honey, preferably raw (optional)
pinch powdered cayenne pepper
3-4 cups boiling water

Steep covered in a non-reactive container. Drink when the tonic has cooled to a comfortable drinking temperature (approx. 1 hour). Be prepared: your body temperature will climb and your sinuses will discharge quickly! The ginger may be steeped twice. Add other ingredients fresh for a second batch.

***Variation for extra immune support: Cover the bottom of a medium saucepan with equal amounts each echinacea, astragulus and freshly grated ginger root. Fill saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Then simmer on low for 30-45 minutes. Strain and add lemon juice, honey (optional) and cayenne as above. Be sure to drink the entire pot!

DETOXIFYING & PURIFYING TONIC
Dried burdock root
Dried dandelion root
Dried licorice root
Shredded ginger root
1/8 cup honey, preferably raw (optional)
unsweetened hemp seed milk to taste (hemp seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids which have an anti-inflammatory effect)
water

Cover the bottom of a medium saucepan with equal amounts each burdock, dandelion, licorice and freshly grated ginger root. Fill saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Then simmer on low for 30-45 minutes. Strain and add honey and hempseed milk to taste (optional). Note: This tea should be drunk in moderation due to it's blood thinning effects. Do not use if you are taking blood thinning agents like Warfarin (also known under the brand names of Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan, and Waran).

Note: measurements for both tonics are approximate - I usually just throw in a little of this and a little of that. Most ingredients are available at your grocery store. I suggest Purple Shutter Herbs in Winooski for bulk herbs. Mountain Rose Herbs is a good internet source. As always, please be aware of any conflicts between prescription medications and herbs.

Enjoy!
Roxanne

Lane Series Director Jane Ambrose responded with:
• The Rose Ensemble!
• BIS recording of Bach: Christmas Oratorio with Suzuki conducting.
• Eva adds Il Giardino Armonico playing Christmas Concertos on Teldec.
and "Happy holidays from snowy Switzerland!"

Natalie Neuert, Lane Series Manager, is recommending:
• Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas (beautiful, folky, original).
• The Roches: We Three Kings (well-known and not so well-known carols and songs with the Roche sister's wonderful 3 part harmonies).
• Brian Setzer Orchestra: Dig that Crazy Christmas (that funky 50's Stray Cats sound - great for tree trimming).
• Klezmatics: Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Chanukah (fun).

She says, "I'm also thinking about buying this year: Bela Fleck & the Flecktones' Jingle all the Way, and the remastered version of Ella Fitzgerald's Ella Wishes you a Swinging Christmas which has gotten great reviews.
and yes, I admit it, nothing quite says the holidays like A Charlie Brown Christmas..."

Roxanne Vought (Lane Series Logistics and Special Events Coordinator) likes
• The Best of Nowell Sing We Clear, 1975-1986
You can read about them here. I grew up listening to their albums (on record!) and their joy and sorrow inspired many sing-a-longs as we prepared for the Solstice and the New Year. Many of the carols come from the Oxford book of Carols.

• The Hilliard Ensemble's recording of Bach/Webern: Ricercar on ECM
Here is a link to Christoph von Dohnányi conducting the The Arnold and Ruth Black Pick-Up Philharmonia as part of the 2007 BBC Proms:
http://www.google.com/cse?cx=013269018370076798483:gg7jrrhpsy4&cof=FORID:1&q=Bach-Webern:+Ricercar&sa=Search
And of course, Bing Crosby's White Christmas.

Here are some of the choices from Lane Series Board members:

From Lisa Hughes, board president:
I love Met Stars at Christmas and the big band version (maybe Glenn Miller Orchestra?) of the Nutcracker!

Jean Pilcher's absolute favorite is EMI's "Christmas Carols from King's College" featuring The Choir from King's College, Cambridge conducted by Sir David Willcocks and Philip Ledger with organists Ian Hare, Francis Grier and John Wells, and the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. Produced in 1985.

Frederick Noonan likes December by George Winston, piano on the Windham Hill label. "Easy listening and even includes brief snatches of Christmas carols without being too earnestly Christian about it."

Renee Reiner confesses, "It's sappy, I know, but Peter, Paul & Mary's Holiday Celebration comes to mind. This from the Jewish member of the group!
Best wishes for good health and abundance this holiday season."

Robbie Stanley is listening to:
• Christmastide by Jessye Norman
• Kiri Te Kanawa, Ave Maria Both of these artists bring the best in seasonal vocal music.
• A Windham Hill Christmas and the Winter's Solace CDs by Windham Hill artists - Instrumentals, peaceful, serene.
• The Chieftains, The Bells of Dublin - A rolicky mix of seasonal favorites. The Chieftains are joined by an odd assortment of vocalists - everyone from Jackson Browne to Burgess Meredith - but it works.

Lane Series favorite vocal group The Rose Ensemble wowed a sold-out audience December 6 with a program of Mexican Baroque and Early American vocal music. It felt like greeting old friends who had arrived for the holidays - old friends who then, like last year, went on to give us an evening of pure enchantment.

Here's what Artistic Director Jordan Sramek had to say about their visit:
There are certain times for The Rose Ensemble when we're on the road and things simply go well. One can imagine, traveling with 15 musicians, a zillion instruments and three minivans can add some 'dys' to an otherwise functional family. But thankfully, even considering most of us got to bed around 2:30am on Friday, we knew things in Burlington were going to go well. (I should mention here that the accommodations at the Green Mountain Suites were exceptional.)
We were taken by pleasant surprise when we arrived at VPR in the morning. Our understanding was that we were going to do a short radio spot with a small live studio audience: a little something to promote the concert we would give later in the evening at UVM. Well, it ended up being a live concert in front of almost 200 people! And what a wonderful event it was. Such a warm reception we were given by the folks at VPR and the very friendly audience...
Our evening concert was one of those that will remain in The Rose Ensemble's collective memory for a long time. There was an undeniable connection with the audience - one of those performances that makes you smile when you recall it. Jane Ambrose has already asked us to return in 2010 and we can't wait.
Dinner after the concert was enjoyed by several of us at a great place called American Flatbread. We had gone there last year, and while it is so loud that you have to shout to be heard, the fantastic food, service and brew list is worth it. Beth, one of the servers, actually recognized us from last year (is that a good or bad thing?) and we enjoyed running into some concert-goers with whom we chatted for quite some time.
On the way out of town (heading for the Berkshires) we stopped by what we now refer to as "food paradise" (known to denizens of Burlington as Healthy Living Natural Foods Market). Two words: bulk kombucha.
Some of the members of our merry band have decided that we're all moving to Vermont. Personally speaking, it was when the gal at the checkout referred to herself as a "Vermonster" that I decided I was moving to Burlington. I just have to figure out how long the broccoli-growing season is…

Jordan Sramek, The Rose Ensemble

Mark Dietrich (bass) and Lane Series Director Jane Ambrose catch up before Friday evening's performance:

Until their next appearance, visit their website to get one of their CDs or to see lots more information and photos: roseensemble.org.

He made three converts sitting next to me, and I suspect they weren’t the only ones in the nearly-sold-out audience. After expressing mutual dislike for harpsichord music, they reluctantly agreed to keep an open mind. By intermission they were completely won over. Esfahani was right – it is emotional and dynamic music, beautifully executed on a very special instrument.
This concert was the harpsichord’s public debut. It is a double manual German style after M. Mietke (1702 – 1704), made by Bruce Kennedy and generously provided by owner Philip Ambrose.

Click here for some in-depth program notes written by Esfahani and provided for the concert.

After a Bach Toccata, the second half was devoted to the UVM Recital Hall organ and included works by Henry Purcell, John Blow and Charles Racquet.

What did you think of the concert?
What's your opinion of the harpsichord?