Ali Ekber Çiçek
Encyclopedia
Ali Ekber Çiçek was born in 1935 in Erzincan
, Turkey
. His father died in a disastrous earthquake, and his mother suffered financial problems that made it impossible for her to support his education. Nevertheless, he attended Alevi
gatherings called Cems, where he not only became familiar with playing baglama
but also with the philosophy of Alevis.
He moved to İstanbul
and there made acquaintance with popular folk music
ians. After completing mandatory military service, he was given the opportunity by Muzaffer Sarısözen to perform on state-operated TRT
radio broadcast services in Ankara
, where he remained until retirement.
TRT produced a documentary in 2003 about his life and his music. The documentary presents his work as part of the Anatolia
n folk tradition and was intended to broaden his influence.
He died in April 2006.
One of his most noted songs is Haydar Haydar
, which took him approximately seven years to master. It is said that Ali Ekber asked himself, with regard to this song, "What did I do!" The song is often considered the pinnacle of symphonic Turkish folk music.
"Haydar Haydar" is the only song that sounds like it is played by two baglama
s.
Erzincan
-Trivia:Erzincan has the largest man made of Portrait of Atatürk, located north of the city, 176m×43m. It covers 7,500 square meter. Turkish Army made it 1982, in 29 days by 3,000 soldier, 100 tons of black and white paint was used...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. His father died in a disastrous earthquake, and his mother suffered financial problems that made it impossible for her to support his education. Nevertheless, he attended Alevi
Alevi
The Alevi are a religious and cultural community, primarily in Turkey, constituting probably more than 15 million people....
gatherings called Cems, where he not only became familiar with playing baglama
Baglama
thumb|180px|Cura and bağlamaThe bağlama is a stringed musical instrument shared by various cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean, Near East, and Central Asia....
but also with the philosophy of Alevis.
He moved to İstanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and there made acquaintance with popular folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
ians. After completing mandatory military service, he was given the opportunity by Muzaffer Sarısözen to perform on state-operated TRT
Turkish Radio and Television Corporation
The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, also known as TRT , is the national public broadcaster of Turkey and was founded in 1964. Around 70% of TRT's funding comes from a tax levied on electricity bills and a sales tax on television and radio receivers...
radio broadcast services in Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
, where he remained until retirement.
TRT produced a documentary in 2003 about his life and his music. The documentary presents his work as part of the Anatolia
Anatolia
Anatolia is a geographic and historical term denoting the westernmost protrusion of Asia, comprising the majority of the Republic of Turkey...
n folk tradition and was intended to broaden his influence.
He died in April 2006.
One of his most noted songs is Haydar Haydar
Haydar Haydar
Haydar Haydar is a well known traditional Alevi song. It has been created by Ali Ekber Çiçek and recorded by many musicians like Orhan Hakalmaz, Emel Taşçıoğlu, Çetin Akdeniz, Kemal Alaçayır, Ersin Faikzade, Ali Yılmaz, Ali Haydar Timisi, Bağlama Üçlüsü , and Erdal Akkaya...
, which took him approximately seven years to master. It is said that Ali Ekber asked himself, with regard to this song, "What did I do!" The song is often considered the pinnacle of symphonic Turkish folk music.
"Haydar Haydar" is the only song that sounds like it is played by two baglama
Baglama
thumb|180px|Cura and bağlamaThe bağlama is a stringed musical instrument shared by various cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean, Near East, and Central Asia....
s.