Adnan Saygun, 1960s. Bilkent University, Ahmed Adnan Saygun Center for Music Research and Education.
National Modernism for a Polyphonic Republic
Ahmet Adnan Saygun (1907 – 1991)
The squeal of an oxcart, the hymn of Yunus Emre kneading the dough of existence, the smell of earth on life after rain… Collectively, they express the spirit of Anatolia in the music of Adnan Saygun. The composer, who once said, “Reflecting on Anatolia lies at the heart of my music,” constructed modality within modernism as the sound universe of the Republic.
Adnan Saygun with Azerbaijani conductor Niyazi Takizade during a series of concerts-ceremonies in honour of his 70th birthday, İstanbul, 1977.
Adnan Saygun´s notebook. Bilkent University, Ahmed Adnan Saygun Center for Music Research and Education.
´Kerem´ opera composed by Adnan Saygun, 1953 poster. Bilkent University, Ahmed Adnan Saygun Center for Music Research and Education.
The exhibition Republic: New Individual New Life can be seen free of admissions until 17th May.