An annotated survey of selected works for violin and piano by Turkish composers in the twentieth century

Abstract

The impetus for this treatise began as an investigation into the repertoire of works for violin and piano by Turkish composers throughout the 20th century. The establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923 proved to be very pivotal for the development and exposure of Western classical music within Turkey, allowing for the first time newer generations of composers to define their Turkish identity within the context of larger westernized traditions. Very little information has been written regarding the theoretical analysis or historical background for most Turkish works for violin and piano; this survey will serve to further appreciation and understanding of several of the most significant compositions of this neglected body of repertoire.

This annotated survey consists of twenty selected works for violin and piano, and will summarize the stylistic traits and technical features present in a diverse body of compositions written by several generations of Turkish composers in the 20th century. The works in this survey have been categorized into five chapters, which correspond to large-scale generational shifts of compositional style, ranging from the nationalism and modality of the "Turkish Five", to the avant-garde, and a later more modernistic, eclectic compositional approach.

The establishment of a pedagogical ranking system of technical and interpretive difficulties at the onset of this treatise will help facilitate advanced through professional violinists in choosing individual works of a suitable level of difficulty. Relevant information relating to composition dates, premiere locations, discography, and score accessibility information will be included in this survey to encourage musicians to seek out these works for further study and performance.