In recent months the Hopkins Center has become a formidable showcase for non-Western art forms, much to the delight of its audiences.
Long before the stampede toward movie box offices began in this country, Dartmouth offered a full screening of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" while Chinese director Ang Lee was in residence last fall.
Perhaps the most fitting follow-up possible was last month's performance by acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma (who recorded the score for "Crouching Tiger") and his Silk Road Ensemble.
Today the Dartmouth community will have yet another chance to experience a uniquely ethnic form of expression when the Hopkins Center welcomes Turkish percussionist Burhan Ocal and his Istanbul Oriental Ensemble.
Ocal is widely considered to be the best darbuka (a vase shaped finger drum) player alive and has been referred to as a walking encyclopedia of Arabic instruments. After learning the art of percussion from his parents at a young age, Ocal quickly found ways to fuse Turkish rhythms with sounds that he heard from other parts of the world.
In 1977 Ocal took permanent residence in Switzerland where musicians in virtually every genre of music found his unique approach and dazzling technique appealing.
In the last few years Ocal has worked with classical guitarist Eliot Fisk, free jazz bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, the esoteric Kronos Quartet and a host of today's most adventurous jazz musicians.
With his Istanbul Oriental Ensemble, however, Ocal concentrates on preserving traditional Gypsy melodies and rhythms from the Ottoman Empire of the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Unlike some other ethnic ensembles, whose accuracy is best reflected by the fact that they sound completely dated, the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble injects their music with an energy and buoyancy that is markedly modern and invigorating.
At their best they blend soaring unison melodies with a driving percussive foundation that encompasses their audiences, captivating them with the hauntingly beautiful spirit of Turkish music. No matter which piece is being performed, though, the one element always present is Ocal's propulsive groove.
At 47 years of age, it is hard to believe that Burhan Ocal has been kept a secret from the United States for so long. He made his first major concert appearance in North America less than three years ago and is now embarking on his first American tour with the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble.
His concert here today is one of only three Northeastern appearances scheduled. It promises to be a vivid musical experience and at the very least a sneak preview of one of the world's budding stars.
"Gypsy Rum" and "Sultan's Secret Door" are previous recordings that have won the Ensemble German record critic's awards.
In addition to the darbouka drums, other instruments featured in the Ensemble will be the clarinet, the ud (lute), the keman (violin or fiddle) and the kunan (zither).
Burhan Ocal and the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble perform in Spaulding Auditorium at 8 p.m. tonight.
