The music of Tariqa and Meybahar transcends mere fusion of diverse styles; it serves as a conduit for intercultural dialogue. Their performances transform audiences from passive listeners into active participants, immersing them in the transcendent power of music that bridges cultural divides. Notably, both bands collaborate in joint performances, exemplifying unity through their shared musical journey.
Tariqa: A Fusion of Moroccan Gnawa and Hungarian Folk Traditions
Tariqa's music is an organic and unique fusion where Moroccan Gnawa and Hungarian folk music meet to reveal a new musical domain. Saïd Tichiti, a native of the Moroccan Sahara, brings the pulsating rhythms of Gnawa trance rituals, the mystical melodies of Arabic maqam, and the invigorating energy of chaabi. Péter Bede and Ferenc Kovács, masters of jazz and Hungarian folk music, contribute their rich styles to this musical alchemy. Ádám Mészáros and András Halmos, experienced musicians from various formations, add further colors to this musical kaleidoscope.
Tariqa's captivating concerts are ritualistic experiences where the audience becomes participants. In today's isolation, there is an increasing need for such transcendent communal experiences that can bring collective healing. No two concerts are alike; each performance is a new and unrepeatable journey. As William Burroughs described, Gnawa is "the world's oldest, 4000-year-old rock'n'roll," and this tradition comes to life in a new form through Tariqa's art.
Saïd Tichiti has been introducing Gnawa music to Hungarian audiences since 1998. Gnawa, in its native Morocco, is part of the culture of slaves and their descendants and is closely related to healing rituals. Gnawa is based on rhythm structures that are at once fixed but constantly changing. Though the basic patterns remain the same, varying accents consistently feed the constantly accelerating music with new pulsations.
Meybahar: A Meeting of Greek and Hungarian Musical Worlds
Meybahar was born at the meeting point of different cultures, Greek and Hungarian, from the moments when Marilia and Márton met each other and shared their music. The vibe of the santouri—the ravishing dulcimer of Greece—and the violin sounds perfectly matched together. Their music is a deep shot through the islands of the Aegean Sea, Asia Minor, and the Middle East, inspired by the ancient heritage of modal music and the music of our time.
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The band's music has evolved to focus on a singing repertoire, developed by a new formation featuring the voice of Afroditi Radis and percussion by Zoltán Bordás. They released a musical video clip and an online single called "Afousis" (Fonó-2023), a new arrangement of a Greek song from Kassos Island. In 2024, the band released their first full-length album, "Meybahar" (Fonó-2024), featuring traditional Greek folk music adaptations and mostly original compositions.
The band's unique sound has garnered international attention. Their debut album, "Abyss" (Fonó-2019), was listed among the best world music albums by the Balkan World Music Charts. The album presents a multicolored puzzle of melodies from different traditions, brought into a parallel music field through the band's sound.
Collaborative Performances: A Celebration of Cultural Unity
Both Tariqa and Meybahar have a history of collaborative performances that highlight their commitment to cultural unity through music. For instance, Meybahar has organized independent events at the Fonó Budai Zeneház, featuring world-class performers like Ross Daly, Haig Yazdjian, and Martha Mavroidi. They also performed at the House of Hungarian Music, collaborating with cimbalom artist Miklós Lukács and Greek lyra player Sokratis Sinopoulos.
Tariqa, led by Saïd Tichiti, has been a regular performer at world music festivals worldwide, collaborating with creative musicians from the jazz and folk scenes. Their concerts are described as ritualistic experiences where the audience becomes participants, emphasizing the transcendent communal experience that music can provide.
In conclusion, the music of Tariqa and Meybahar transcends mere fusion of diverse styles; it serves as a conduit for intercultural dialogue. Their performances transform audiences from passive listeners into active participants, immersing them in the transcendent power of music that bridges cultural divides. Notably, both bands collaborate in joint performances, exemplifying unity through their shared musical journey.
