Turkish Music

Turkish Music, originating in Central Asia, developed further with the settlement of the Turks in Anatolia. During the First Classical Period (1450-1720) many works based on the modal system of ‘makams’ (which are formed by progressions made up of unequal tonal intervals) were produced. The Last Classical Period, ending around 1880, saw the song format with lyric elements added to the large and slow format works.

Turkish Music was initially performed in palaces and mansions of the wealthy, but after going through the Neo-Classical and Romantic Periods, it reached the homes of the general public. Turkish Music is now in its Reform Period, and as the most systematic form of the modal music, has found a place in the music world.

After 1920, musicologist Rauf Yekta Bey adapted the Western type music score to Turkish Music which, since the 1940s, has been the most widespread music score system used in Turkey. During the last Century, volume of works involving synthesis with tonal music were performed without changing the essence (that is, the modal system) of Turkish Music and examples of these works were generally well received in Turkey as well as the music world at large..

For more information please follow Web links to Turkish Music

http://www.turkishmusic.org/ includes Turkish Music voice libraries

http://www.turkmusikisi.com/ commercial site in Turkish