“Who was Ahmet Adnan Saygun?” I often hear visitors ask as they approach this monument. Right here we stand before the Ahmet Adnan Saygun Heykeli in Istanbul. It commemorates a pivotal figure in Turkish classical music.
Ahmet Adnan Saygun was not just a composer. He was also a music educator and ethnomusicologist. Born in İzmir in 1907 he became one of the “Turkish Five”. These were pioneers of classical music in Turkey. Saygun composed Turkey’s first opera. He was also the first artist to be named a “State Artist”.
Saygun’s early life in İzmir shaped his musical path. He studied at the Hadikai Sübyan Mektebi. Later he went to İttihat ve Terakki Numune Sultanisi. This school emphasized arts education. At 13 he began music studies. His teachers included İsmail Zühtü, Rosati and Tevfik Bey.
To make ends meet Saygun worked various jobs. He even tried selling sheet music. Eventually he found his calling as a music teacher. In 1925 Saygun wanted to study music in Europe. His mother’s sudden death prevented this. He taught music at İzmir Erkek Lisesi instead.
In 1928 Saygun seized another chance. He won a government scholarship. This allowed him to study in Paris. There he worked with Vincent d’Indy and others. In 1931 his orchestral work Divertissement won an award in Paris. It was performed across Europe.
Returning to Turkey in 1931 Saygun taught at Musiki Muallim Mektebi in Ankara. In 1934 he composed Özsoy Opera in just one month. This was commissioned by Atatürk for the visit of Iranian Shah Reza Pahlavi. The opera symbolized Turkish rebirth and Turkish-Iranian brotherhood.
After Özsoy Atatürk invited Saygun to his Yalova residence. Saygun presented a report on Turkish music. This report was later published as “Turkish Music in Pentatonism”.
In late 1934 Atatürk commissioned another opera from Saygun. Taş Bebek premiered that December. It depicted the birth of the new Turkish Republic citizen. Shortly after Saygun underwent ear surgery. He was then dismissed from his positions in Ankara.
In 1936 Saygun returned to teaching. He worked at the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory. During this period Saygun began a period of relative obscurity.
In 1936 Hungarian composer Béla Bartók visited Turkey. Saygun accompanied him on a research trip. Together they notated Turkish folk songs. Their work was published in 1976.
In 1939 Saygun became a music inspector. He traveled across Turkey. In 1940 he married Irén Szalai a Hungarian musician.
Saygun founded the “Turkish Music Association” in 1940. He composed significant works during this time. This included the Yunus Emre Oratorio.
Completed in 1942 the Yunus Emre Oratorio premiered in Ankara in 1946. It gained international acclaim. Leopold Stokowski conducted it in New York in 1958. With this piece Saygun carried melodies he had heard as a child in İzmir to Europe and America.
After the success of Yunus Emre Saygun taught composition at Ankara State Conservatory. He traveled to London and Paris. He researched folk music and gave lectures.
Saygun’s later works included operas symphonies concertos and choral pieces. His music was performed by renowned orchestras. In 1971 he became the first State Artist of Turkey. Ahmet Adnan Saygun died in 1991. His legacy lives on through his compositions and writings. He left behind works on ethnomusicology and music education.
This Ahmet Adnan Saygun Heykeli stands as a tribute. It honors his contributions to Turkish music and culture. Take a moment to reflect on Saygun’s journey. His journey took him from İzmir to the world stage. It highlights his enduring impact on Turkish art.