Composer,
pianist (B. 1906, Istanbul – D. 1973, Ankara). After graduating from
Erkin
received his first musical education from his mother at a young age. At the age
of seven he started piano lessons with Adinolfi. He held his first concert,
which consisted of his own compositions in 1946. After returning from his
education abroad he made arrangements of polyphonic folk songs and used traditional
sonata forms of the West in piano, chamber and orchestra music. In essential
dressings of these forms outside of their main architecture the influence of
“late romanticism and impressionism” streams gained depth. The artist who
closely knew all details of homophonic Turkish music processed this source in
his works. Besides, it is observed that he applied the methods of Turkish folk
music in slow parts of the same works, and processes of rhythm belonging to
Black Sea region in parts with a rapid tempo, especially which carried
characteristics of scherzo. Erkin
reflected in music the abstract understanding with limited attempts and did not
use non-tonal technique in his method of composing. Nevertheless, he followed
new streams with tolerance and supported his students inclining to them.
He joined the composition competition organized by Cumhuriyet Halk Party
in 1943 with his Köçekçe and Piyano
Konçertosu (Piano Concerto). His Piyano
Konçertosu was deemed worthy of an award. This work was vocalized by the
Presidential Symphony Orchestra with his wife Ferhunde Erkin as soloist. In
1943 it was again vocalized in
SOME OF HIS WORKS:
İki Dans (1930), Beş Damla (1931), Bülbül ve Ayın On Dördü (1932), Bayram
(1934), Yaylılar Dörtlüsü (1935-36), İki Sesli Halk Şarkıları (1936), Yedi Halk Türküsü (1939), Karagöz (1940), Sanat (1946).