Between Melody and Verse: The Memoirs of Cinuçen Tanrıkorur.eng

Between Instrument and Word: The Memoirs of Cinuçen Tanrıkorur

Süleyman Erguner, the late master ney player, composer of the famous song Erenler, and section manager at the Cibali Tobacco Factory where Adalet Hanım worked, used to organize musical gatherings on the stage of the factory cafeteria after lunch, performing with amateur musicians employed at the factory and providing enjoyable entertainment for music enthusiasts.

One day during lunch, Adalet Hanım said, “Sir, I have an eight-year-old son with a beautiful voice. Would you listen to him if I brought him one day?” Out of courtesy, Süleyman Bey could hardly refuse.

The boy came. After the lesson, Süleyman Bey, in a tone that clearly revealed his reluctance, said, “Well then, let’s hear what you know.” To his surprise, the child began singing Sultan Selim III’s Sûzidilârâ Yürüksemaî, starting with the words “Âb-ü-tâb ile bu şeb hâneme cânan geliyor”, while also keeping the rhythmic cycle correctly.

Tears filled Süleyman Bey’s eyes. First he embraced and kissed the boy, then said in his deep, resonant voice: “The composition returns to its opening phrase. Sing it once more from ‘Halvet-i ülfete bir şem‘-i şebistan geliyor’.”

When the child sang, “Aaah, halvetii üül-fete biiir…” and completed the piece, Süleyman Bey turned to Adalet Hanım and said with great insistence: “My dear Adalet Hanım, this child will become a musician. Do not stand in his way!”

Series: Turkish Literature

Dimensions: 16.5 x 23.5 cm

Page Count: 362

ISBN: 978-975-995-514-4

First Published: April 2003

4th Edition: March 2019

Compiled by: İsmail Kara