Welcome on MansurBildik.com
Born in 1949 in Tunceli/Dersim province of eastern Turkey,
Mansur Bildik received his first saz lessons as a child from his father,
a regionally well-respected musician. Due to his family’s difficult
financial situation, he wasn’t able to finish middle school; however, he
never strayed from his beloved musical education, which he pursued with
discipline from childhood onwards.
In 1965 he began formal education in saz and folk music at the
Adana People’s House (Halk Evi). Upon his teacher
Ahmet Aydın’s recommendation he moved to Istanbul,
taking his place alongside other professional musicians – an important
step in his career. During the early 1970s, he developed his repertoire
of Turkish folk songs under master musicians at Turkish Radio Television
(TRT) Izmir, including Mustafa Hoşsu, Talip Özkan, Yılmaz İpek, Durmuş
Yazıcıoğlu, Hamit Çine and Ahmet Günday.
My Biography
About the Book
Saz/Bağlama is the
main instrument of Anatolian music and generally can be found from the
Middle East up to the Balkans. This book is intended to help introduce
all interested persons – whatever their background – to this stringed
instrument in the easiest and quickest way possible. Since there is more
to playing saz/bağlama than just faithfully executing the music as
written, the book includes comprehensive background information in three
languages (German/Turkish/English), providing an introduction to the
history and culture of the instrument and its specific
characteristics. The musical part begins with the
simplest exercises and moves on to more advanced pieces, gradually
revealing the asymmetrical rhythms characteristic for oriental music, as
well as the microtonal pitches unfamiliar to the western ear.
The
book cannot and should not replace personal instruction, but can remove
barriers, provide important information and serve as teaching material.
About the Author
Mansur Bildik is a
saz/bağlama artist, composer und author from Anatolia. As a musician, he
had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest artists from all
over Turkey at Turkish Radio Television TRT as well as on European
stages during many concert tours abroad. Since 1980
Mansur Bildik lives in Vienna, dedicating his life as musician und music
teacher to promoting the instrument saz/bağlama (and its rich culture)
in the middle of Europe. From 1984 he taught at the Franz Schubert
Conservatory, adult education centers und cultural centers; in 1990 he
was granted Austrian citizenship. Among other things, in 1992 he played
at the International Chamber Music Festival in Vienna, and in 2003 with
his ensemble at the Wiener Konzerthaus. Furthermore, within the
framework of the International Mozart Year 2006 he took part in the
event “Mozart alla Turca” with a concert and two workshops. As
a foundation for his activities, together with Turkish and Austrian
artists, academics and music lovers in 1993 he founded the Vienna
Saz/Bağlama Association. 2008 he was awarded the Gold Medal for
Exemplary Service by the Vienna provincial government for his successful
work and contribution in the fields of music, cultural exchange and
international understanding.