During the early years of the Turkish Republic, five prominent composers emerged, merging Western musical traditions with Turkish melodies to create a new musical identity. Known as the "Turkish Five," these composers studied abroad with the encouragement of Atatürk and returned to Turkey to lay the foundations of modern Turkish music.

Saadettin Kaynak, a genius of Turkish classical music, is a composer celebrated for his profound contributions. Kaynak’s works, known for their rich use of rhythm, tempo, and maqam transitions, include over a thousand compositions. His compositions spanned various forms, including operettas, revues, hymns, and film music.

Cemal Reşit Rey's remarkable journey began with the composition of his first waltz at just 8 years old. This early achievement marked the start of a career that would bridge Turkish and Western musical traditions, leaving an indelible mark on the music world.

We are thrilled to kick off our new interview series, “Burning Questions with TAO”, featuring Grammy-nominated Turkish-American composer and multi-instrumentalist, Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol. A visionary musician who effortlessly bridges Eastern and Western musical traditions, Sanlıkol has just released a new single, and we’re excited to learn more about his creative process, inspirations, and unique musical journey. goes here

Two giants of music history, Saadettin Kaynak, the master of Turkish music, and Igor Stravinsky, the revolutionary of 20th-century classical music, lived and created their works during the same period. Though they grew up in different regions of the world, each made significant contributions to their respective musical traditions, deeply influencing the music of their time and beyond.