Turkish music

Interview with the Kurdish Singer Aynur Dogan

Resisting the Wind

Aynur Dogan sings in Turkish and Kurdish, the political tone of her songs is deliberately provocative. Her last album "Rewend" focuses on itinerancy and connection to the homeland. Marian Brehmer spoke to her
The Piano Man of Taksim Square

Playing for Peace

Davide Martello was on a world tour with his custom-built electric piano when he made a spontaneous decision to play Istanbul's Taksim Square. His music became the soundtrack of the Turkish protests. He has since continued his tour with a new message: peace
Islam in European Classical Music

As-salam alaykum Resounding from the Minaret

We cannot say precisely when the musical penetration of East and West began, but one thing is certain: composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and others could not resist the fascination of the Orient. Thus elements of Turkish music, Persian poetry and Arabic storytelling found their way straight to the heart of European culture. By Nadja Kayali
Turkish Pianist Fazil Say Sentenced for Insulting Islam

Playing the Wrong Tune

World-renowned concert pianist Fazil Say was given a suspended jail sentence in Turkey for insulting religious values on Twitter, a case which has become a cause celebre for Turks alarmed about creeping Islamic conservatism. By Tim Neshitov
The Trio Olivinn

Schubert's 'Trout' à la Turka

The trio Olivinn blends Turkish folk songs with German art songs and jazz elements, creating a universal music language in which listeners from different backgrounds discover elements that are familiar to them. Ceyda Nurtsch met the group and set out on a musical journey through different cultures and history
Turkish Pianist and Composer Fazil Say

Up in Court for Insulting Islam

Last week, the court case against the celebrated Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say began in Istanbul. Say faces charges of spreading anti-Islamic comments via Twitter. Supporters and critics alike say that the case highlights Turkey's shortcomings in terms of freedom of expression. Thomas Seibert has the details
The Turkish Oriental Dub Band "Baba Zula"

Music from the Fringes with a Rebellious Soul

The Turkish band Baba Zula ushered in a new style in Turkish music: oriental dub. The band with its rebellious spirit goes way back in the contemporary Turkish music scene. Grit Friedrich reports
Charges against Turkish Star Pianist Fazil Say

Facing Trial for Joking on Twitter

Pianist Fazil Say is an internationally acclaimed Turkish artist. He could face a sentence of 18 months in prison on charges of insulting Muslim religious values on Twitter. Critics call him a "traitor to the nation". Arne Lichtenberg reports
The Multinational Project ''Music for the One God''

Harmonious Triad of Religions

Under the direction of the Turkish composter and oud player Mehmet Yeşilçay, the multinational project "Music for the One God" unites the sounds of Islamic, Sephardic-Jewiosh and Christian music. Stefan Franzen reports