Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1910

Death

:

1987

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Ekrem Zeki Ün was a Turkish composer and pianist who was born on January 6, 1910, in Istanbul, Turkey. He was the son of a prominent family, and his father was a well-known physician. From a young age, Ün showed a great interest in music, and he began taking piano lessons at the age of six. Ün's musical talent was quickly recognized, and he was sent to study at the Istanbul Conservatory at the age of ten. There, he studied piano with Mithat Fenmen and composition with Cemal Reşit Rey. Ün was a gifted student, and he quickly excelled in both piano and composition. In 1928, Ün traveled to Paris to continue his musical studies. He studied piano with Isidor Philipp and composition with Nadia Boulanger. While in Paris, Ün was exposed to the works of many great composers, including Debussy, Ravel, and Stravinsky. These experiences had a profound impact on his musical style and influenced his later compositions. After returning to Turkey in 1931, Ün began his career as a composer and pianist. He quickly gained a reputation as one of Turkey's most talented musicians, and his compositions were well-received by audiences and critics alike. Ün's music was characterized by its use of Turkish folk melodies and rhythms, combined with Western classical music techniques. One of Ün's most famous works is his Piano Concerto No. 1, which he composed in 1936. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the piano, and it features many of Ün's signature musical elements, including Turkish folk melodies and rhythms. The concerto was premiered by the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra, with Ün himself as the soloist. Ün's other notable works include his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1943. The symphony is a grand and sweeping work that showcases Ün's mastery of orchestration and his ability to blend Turkish and Western musical elements. The symphony was premiered by the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and was well-received by audiences and critics. In addition to his work as a composer, Ün was also a respected pianist. He gave many concerts throughout Turkey and Europe, and he was known for his virtuosic performances of both classical and Turkish music. Ün's performances were characterized by his technical skill and his ability to convey the emotional depth of the music he played. Ün continued to compose and perform throughout his life, and he remained an important figure in Turkish music until his death in 1987. His legacy as a composer and pianist continues to be celebrated in Turkey and around the world, and his music remains an important part of the Turkish classical music tradition.

More....