Partita, Op. 31, 1954

A. Adnan Saygun
Turkey

Instrumentation:
cello

Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s Partita Op.31 is a beautifully simple, artful integration of musical elements from his homeland and from the western classical tradition. The study and collection of folk music played a pivotal role in the Turkish composer's career. His studies in Western composition at the Paris Conservatory deepened his interest in learning more about the music of his homeland. His sister performed the oud [ood], the short-necked fretless lute of Middle-Eastern art music. At local nightclubs or gazinos, Saygun was exposed early on to a mélange of Turkish art song, folk song, dance and gypsy music—often performed by musicians who had been removed from the Ottoman court during the declining years of the Empire.