How Turkey's Classical And Folk Music Continues To Survive

Popular music genres dominate the market in Turkey, but there is also a considerable audience for traditional genres among the Turkish population. Thanks to the efforts and outputs of contemporary musicians, the country’s folk and classical music has continued to thrive into the 21st century.

Turkish Classical Music

Along with Western classical music and Indian music, Turkish classical music is one of the oldest traditional genres still in existence, with its roots dating back to the 9th century. In the Ottoman court, it was cultivated as chamber music among the urban elite. The word ‘Turkish’ was given to the genre after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. However, musicians from Greek, Armenian, Persian, Arab and Jewish ethnic groups were also part of the Ottoman Empire, and contributed to this music significantly.
The traditional instruments include oud (plucked short-necked unfretted lute), tanbur (the long-necked tanbur lute), ney (long-necked end-blown flute), kanun (plucked zither), tef (frame drum), the darbuka (a goblet-shaped drum) and kemençe (bowed fiddle). Tonal systems called makams were used, which have stringent rules and dictate melodic development. The art of taksim (musical improvisation) is also essential. During the modern period after the foundation of the Republic, this traditional music went through some changes and was influenced by Western genres. It started to be called Turkish Art Music, which is the common name today. Religion, war and love are the main themes in the songs. The language is formal and contains lots of Persian and Arabic words.
One of the most important musicians of the contemporary period in Turkish Art Music is Münir Nurettin Selçuk, who established himself as the most popular singer in Turkish music. Other important musicians include Selahattin Pınar, Zeki Müren, Müzeyyen Senar, Safiye Ayla, Zekai Tunca and Bülent Ersoy. Pop singers such as Tarkan, Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener also play their part in interpreting Turkish Classical Music songs. People also enjoy this genre within the meyhane; a modern tavern culture where an ensemble performs classical music live and interacts with the crowd. Recently, teenagers and young adults have been following this meyhane trend, whereas the elderly continue to listen to this music mainly at home, in front of their TV. TRT 4, a national channel, broadcasts recordings of old and recent concerts and performances. Turkish Classical Music is also taught in conservatories as well as in social clubs.

Turkish Folk Music

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.