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Islamic Center event to feature work of poet Rumi

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Staff Writer 3:00 PM Friday, June 12, 2009

MIAMISBURG — A free program devoted to the poet Rumi will be held Sunday afternoon, June 14, at the Dayton Mercy Society Islamic Center in Miamisburg.

Rumi, who lived from 1207-73 and wrote in Persian Farsi, is a cherished poet in the history of Sufism, the mystical form of Islam.

The program will include a talk and recitation by Dr. Mohammed Motekallem, and a preview of Jeff Olmsted’s “Songs of Rumi” which will have its world premiere with the Dayton Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and Chorus in October.

Olmsted, a church musician and teacher, says he discovered the poems of Rumi more than 20 years ago and has been adapting them for musical compositions ever since.

The poet’s appeal, he says, is his universal spiritual energy.

“I was brought up and remain a Christian, but I have a real interfaith perspective,” says Olmsted, who founded and directed the Interfaith Fellowship Choir in New York City in 1992.

Rumi, he says, has now been translated into English and become one of the most read poets in America today.

“That’s quite remarkable given that he was born 802 years ago,” says Olmsted.

“He was born in what is today Afghanistan, lived most of his life in what is today Turkey, and his language is the language that is spoken today in Iran. That makes him politically as well as spiritually significant.”

Olmsted, 55, has performed his Rumi compositions as a solo artist, for guitar and voice. One of his pieces was performed by the Kettering Children’s Choir last year.

When he moved to Dayton in 2005 with his wife, the Rev. Julie Olmsted, he re-connected with an old college classmate — Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra music director Neal  Gittleman.

Over coffee and conversation, the two came up with the idea of adapting some of Olmsted’s songs for the DPO’s chamber orchestra and chorus. The results will be previewed at Sunday’s event.

Members of the Persian Music Ensemble of Cincinnati will perform. Playing the ney, a Persian reed flute, will be Dr. Mehdi Behdad, on drums will be Dr. Ali Elmi and Dr. Siavosh Mustajabi. Dr. Freidoon Ghazi will play the violin. Gittleman will also participate.

“I would say that Rumi is beyond Islam, even though that is the tradition he came out of and lived in,” Olmsted says.

“He represents the possibility of a cultural bridge between the civilizations.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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