Sydney Musician Destroys Rare Instrument to Learn Its Secrets

Tarik Hussein watched his father-in-law pull apart his favorite instrument, knowing it might never play again. But that heartbreaking moment sparked something beautiful: the only kanun-making workshop in Australia.

The kanun, a centuries-old Middle Eastern instrument with 78 strings, is virtually impossible to find Down Under. When Hussein started teaching the instrument in 2006, he could only find about 10 in the entire country.

The Sydney musician had discovered the piano's ancient predecessor at age 17, falling in love with its plucked sound as it rested across his lap. But importing kanuns from Türkiye proved disastrous, with rare instruments arriving damaged or quickly wearing out.

"They would have a lot of issues with the skin tearing and the bridge collapsing," Hussein explains. He needed a solution that didn't exist yet.

Enter his father-in-law, who had a home workshop and loved a good challenge. Together, they decided to reverse-engineer Hussein's most precious kanun to unlock its secrets.

"He pretty much pulled my favorite one completely apart," Hussein recalls. "It was actually very heartbreaking to see."

But the sacrifice paid off. The duo developed what Hussein calls an Australian version of the kanun, unique from its Turkish cousins. They spend one to two years on each instrument, crafting them purely for love, not profit.

Sunny's Take

The best part? Watching his students' faces light up when Hussein tells them they'll learn on an instrument built right here in Australia. That joy makes every painstaking hour worthwhile.

Hussein's story now features in "Moments in Waiting," a film series by western Sydney artist Khaled Sabsabi showcasing extraordinary Islamic objects found in Sydney's suburbs. The project launches at the Powerhouse Parramatta opening festival in November, celebrating how migration and cultural diversity shape modern Australian identity.

The series includes remarkable finds: an Ottoman Empire decree from war-torn Bosnia, a Sydney home that once served as a mosque, and a private collection of Koranic manuscripts rivaling any Australian museum. One collector, teacher Mohamad Ali, owns more than 100 calligraphic manuscripts dating back 1,200 years.

Hussein will perform on his handmade kanun with the Three Rivers Ensemble during the festival's 179 events spanning four weekends. From a rare instrument destroyed to preserve its legacy, music will fill the air once more.