Musicologist says ‘there is no place for
Monday, February 15, 2010

VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Leo Sarkisian, the first ethnomusicologist in the United States and legendary music specialist for the Voice of America, makes a call for peace, saying ‘There is no place for hate’Life goes on for the average person regardless of how the political debates and relations proceed between Turkey and Armenia.

Turkish and Armenian people who abstain from politics and look to the future without denying their past often like listening to same kinds of music and eating the same kinds of food. Despite all the past experiences, often identities become meaningless. In the remotest part of the world, a Turk, a Greek and an Armenian could become best friends and even share feelings of nostalgia and homesickness.

One of these people is 88-year-old Leo Sarkisian, whose roots go back to Anatolia. Leo Sarkisian bears the name of America’s first ethnomusicologist thanks to his work on ethnic music. He spent 45 years at the Voice of America, the official radio station of the United States, and a music library was founded in his name. He is also an admirer of Turkish Classical Music. Sarkisian is well-known for his research on Ottoman music as well. In the past, he has shared his research with the Center for Advanced Research in Music, or MIAM, at Istanbul Technical University.

‘Political debates get you nowhere’

“I strongly believe, and my close Turkish friends know that, there is no place for hate," Sarkisian said. He follows the Turkish press and developments about Turkey from day to day despite his old age, but he thinks political debates gets people nowhere.

He has traveled around the world for his music research, but he had his most interesting experience in Afghanistan. Turkish diplomats in Afghanistan brought together Sarkisian and Turks serving as peace forces in the country. He sang Anatolian folk songs with the soldiers all together without arguing about “you and I” matters. "History cannot be wiped out, but changes will take place. My travels to so many countries around the world, meeting so many different people of different religions, beliefs and cultures have also changed me and given me a new perspective in the direction of our lives," he said.

BOX

Leo Sarkisian was offered the job of music director at a company called Tempo, which was linked to Hollywood, when he was just 32 years old in 1953. He immediately accepted the offer and started working. He then received an education as a sound recording engineer and was sent to the Middle East and Caucasus for 3.5 years for music research. Thanks to his research, he assumed the title of the United States’ first ethnomusicologist. When he returned to America, he started to prepare programs for Voice of America, where he worked for 45 years. A music library was founded in his name.