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INDEX OF MUSICIANS

Learn about the MUSICIANS Cited in Idil Biret’s memoir, Life and Music

d'Albert, Eugène (1864 – 1932)

Scottish born famous pianist and composer, who emigrated to Germany, his father’s country, and studied with Franz Liszt.

French pianist. Became known after a recital given in Paris in 1920. Joined the educational cadre of the Paris Conservatory after 1958, and later gave Master classes in the USA.

French composer and music critic. Began his musical education in 1873 at the Paris Conservatory, and became known as a very good pianist and specialist in harmony theory. Was particularly interested in Far Eastern, and especially Javan, music. Initiator of impressionism in the musical arts. Became famous for his compositions of piano, orchestra, and his opera Pélleas and Mélisande.

Professor of medicine, founder of academic institutions. Oldest child of a Turkmen family from Northern Iraq. Finished the Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1938, and became a specialist in children's diseases. Was rector of Ankara University in 1963, and became rector of the newly founded Hacettepe University in 1967. Founded Bilkent University in 1986, and later established the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra as part of the university's Musical and Performing Arts Faculty. Received an honor award from the Sevda-Cenap And Musical Foundation in 2005. 201

Hungarian composer, pianist and conductor. Began his musical education in 1894 at the Budapest Conservatory, and worked at that time with d'Albert. Became internationally famous as a concert pianist between the years 1897-1908. Taught at the Berlin Hochschule, and became the director of the Budapest State Conservatory in 1919. Settled in the USA in 1949. Known for his two symphonies, his concertos for piano and violin, and his Variations on a Child's Song for piano and orchestra.

Italian opera composer. Was an influential member of the belcanto movement along with Bellini. He suffered from mental illness during the final years of his life due to syphilis. He wrote seventy five operas, including Lucia di Lammermoor, Don Pasquale, and Elixir of Love.

Older brother of Gaetano Donizetti. An Ottoman marching band conductor of Italian origin, composer and educator. Founder of the Ottoman Muzika-i Humayun, and general musical director for the Ottoman Palace. Received the honors of “İftihar” from the Sultan Mahmud II, and of “Mecidî” from the Sultan Abdülmecit.

French composer. Was a student of César Franck. Known for the pieces composed for the poems of French poets, particularly Baudelaire. He destroyed most of his work without the opportunity to have them performed due to a nervous breakdown.

English composer. Considered the first and most important English composer after the 17th century, when Henry Purcell was active. Famous for his Enigma Variations, Cockaigne Ouverture, violin and cello concertos, The Dream of Gerontius Cantato, and symphonies.

Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, and conductor. After completing his education in Paris, he acquired international fame. He was a chamber music partner with the pianist Alfred Cortot, and was the teacher of Yehudi Menuhin. The village where he was born today bears his name.

Composer, pianist, conductor and educator, who was a member of the society known as the “Turkish Five”. He began his education under the Italian pianist Adolfi, and completed it at the Paris Conservatory, where he was sent in 1925 by the Ministry of Education. After returning to Turkey in 1930, he became a piano and harmony teacher at the Musiki Muallim Mektebi. After the foundation of the Ankara State Conservatory in 1936, he came to the directorship of this institution's piano department. Erkin, who was inspired in many of his pieces by Anatolian music, composed two symphonies, the Köçekçe Dans Süiti for orchestra, concertos for piano and violin, and works for piano and chamber music.

French violinist. Won first place in the 1955 M. Long -J. Thibaud Competition. Performed largely French music during his concert tours, which earned him international fame.

Pianist, educator, composer and music author. Son of Mithat Paşa's grandson, Refik Bey. Began his musical education in 1929 at the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory, and was a student of Cemal Reşit Rey. Went to Paris in 1935, studying piano with Robert Casadesus and Alfred Cortot at the École Normale de Musique, piano and composition with Nadia Boulanger. He later studied in Germany at the Munich State Music School. At the start of the Second World War, he returned to Turkey and took a position at the Ankara State Conservatory. The concerts he gave as a concert pianist left a great impact. He was director of the Ankara State Conservatory between 1951-1954 and 1970-1973. He played an important role in raising the new generation of pianists and was Idil Biret's first teacher.

French pianist. Was a childhood friend of Francis Poulenc. He performed Poulenc's concerto for two pianos in 1922, and Maurice Ravel's concerto for left hand in 1933.

Composer, music educator. Besides his main profession as a lawyer and judge, he worked on music, poetry and the visual arts. He took harmony classes in 1943 from Karl Berger. Worked on contemporary musical styles with his friend Ilhan Usmanbaş. Wrote many compositions in various styles. Taught history of music for a while at the Ankara State Conservatory.

Swiss pianist. He settled in Germany, then returned to Switzerland at the start of World Ward Two. Fischer was one of the foremost performers of the standard Bach to Brahms repertoire, and brought into the 20th century the custom from Mozart's era of conducting an orchestra in front of a piano. Gave chamber music concerts with masters such as Kulenkampff and Schneiderhan, and made many recordings.

English ballerina. Studied at Saddler's Wells School of Ballet in London, received a position in the Royal Ballet, and soon became a soloist. In 1956, she was honored with the title “Dame” for her great contributions to the art of ballet in England.

French composer and pianist. Student of Nadia Boulanger and Isidor Philipp. Known for the scores he wrote for Sacha Guitry's films. Composed music for ballet, symphonies, concertos, and oratorios. His Piano Sonata is dedicated to Idil Biret.

French pianist. Worked at the Paris Conservatory with Alfred Cortot. After the Second World War, he became known and distinguished particularly for his interpretations of Chopin and Ravel.

Polish pianist. He worked with Leschetizky in Vienna. It is said that he gave two thousand eight hundred concerts. On the occasion of the centennial of Beethoven's death, he performed the composer's piano trios with the violinist Bronislav Huberman and the cellist Pablo Casals. Friedman was one of the greatest interpreters of Chopin. He spent the last years of his life (1940 – 48) in Sydney, Australia.

German conductor. Conducted the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic orchestras for many years (1922 – 1954). He was accused after the war of being a Nazi sympathizer. He had difficulties for this reason rebuilding his international career, and was not allowed to enter the USA.

Russian born pianist, conductor, and composer, who later took on US citizenship. He gave a series of historic concerts in Europe and the USA that led to the further development of the concerto form. He conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1918 to his death, but did not abandon his career as a pianist and composer during that time. He was married to Mark Twain's (Samuel Clemens) daughter Clara Clemens.

Turkish musicologist, author on music, and educator. After having self-taught music at first, Gazimihal later went for his musical eduaction to Paris and Berlin. There he studied the violin, harmony, and music history. In 1924 he returned to Turkey, and after teaching music in middle schools, he took a post at the Musiki Muallim Mektebi in 1932. When the Musiki Muallim Mektebi turned into the Ankara State Conservatory, he again took a position in the new institution. He founded the magazine Müzik ve Sanat Hareketleri at that time, and published many articles as well as books, including Musiki Tarihi, Balkanlarda Musiki Hareketleri, Türk Askeri Mısıkalar Tarihi, and 55 Opera. Gazimihal is İdil Biret's mother's cousin.

Dramatic soprano. First made her appearance on stage in 1952 in Ankara, in the opera Tosca. Furthered her career in dramatic roles in Italy. In the years after 1956, she appeared in many roles at La Scala, and appeared in the first performances of Ildebrando Pizzeti's Murder in the Cathedral, and Francis Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites. She took roles in Donizetti's and Bellini's little known operas. A competition bearing her name has been taking place since 1995.

French author. Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1947. He wrote influential novels such as Strait is the Gate, and The Immoralist.

German pianist. Became famous with the Classical German and Austrian repertoire, as well as Debussy's and Ravel's works. After the war, his actions under Nazi Germany were denounced and he encountered obstacles in the advancement of his career.

German composer. In his operas such as Iphigenia in Aulis, Alceste, Orpheo and Euridice, he made great innovations especially regarding melodic structure and dramatic vitality.

Lithuanian born pianist, later took on US citizenship. After studying in Berlin, he settled in the USA as an immigrant and went on tours there. His career ended due to his having a heart attack in 1930 while recoding the nocturnes of Chopin. After this, he continued to write compositions and arrangements. Became famous especially for his arrangements of Johann Strauss's waltzes.

Canadian pianist. He acquired worldwide fame thanks two concerts he gave in Washington in 1955 and in London in 1958. Recorded J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations two times and became very famous for this. Recorded the complete piano works of Arnold Schoenberg. He stopped giving concerts after 1964, and only made recordings. He is one of the “cult” musicians of the 20th century.

Belgian pianist and composer. Student of Liszt and Saint-Saëns. Made Grieg's Concerto in A minor famous.

Russian pianist. Was a student of Neuhaus. First made a name for himself in 1944 with a performance of Sergei Prokofiev's Eighth Piano Sonata. His career was interrupted during the Second World War. After the war he gave phenomenal recitals in New York 1956 and in London in 1959.After listening to Idil Biret at Nadia Boulanger’s home in 1957 and 1958 he invited her to tour the USSR where she gave sixteen concerts in 1960.

French playwright.

French pianist. Recorded all the piano works of Debussy and Ravel. Was a continuous partner of Enescu and Fournier.

Russian born pianist. He took British citizenship in 1896. He was the student of Leschetizky. Founded a trio with his brothers Jan and Boris.

Austrian critic and author. He was Tomascheck's music student, and studies law at universities in Prague and Vienna. At first a great admirer of Wagner, after writing a critique of this composers opera Lohengrin in 1858, his opinions changed drastically.

Romanian pianist. Later took on Swiss citizenship. She was the student of Cortot and Fauré at the Paris Conservatory, and of Busoni in Berlin. She became known for her exquisite interpretations of the works of the classical and early romantic composers.

Hungarian pianist and composer. His family name is unknown. Helped for long years the development of piano music and education in Turkey. He was a student of Liszt. In 1887, he settled in Istanbul where he had come to give concerts, and educated many pianists, including Ferhunde Erkin.

English pianist. Became famous during the war years by organizing the National Gallery Concerts in London. She was honored with the title Dame in 1941.

German composer. This influential composer (and viola player) of the 20th century had a great impact on music in Turkey through the reports he prepared for the development of musical life in Turkey and the foundation of the Ankara State Conservatory. He spent thirteen year from 1940 onwards teaching at Yale University in USA. Idil Biret has recorded his complete works for piano and orchestra with the Yale Symphony Orchestra.

Polish born pianist, who took US citizenship in 1926. He made a name for himself by giving a phenomenal concerts in America at 11 years old. He was a student of Anton Rubinstein. After 1896, he toured Europe continuously. Rachmaninov dedicated his Third Piano Concerto to him in 1909. He was director of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, USA between 1926-1938. His compositions were published under the nom de plume Michel Drovsky.

German author, music critic, composer and conductor. Took music classes while studying law. Conducted orchestras in Bamberg, Lepzig and Dresden. Wrote 10 operas, the most famous of which is Undine, as well as works of ballet, symphonies, missas, and sonatas. He is known for his strangely humoristic essays. Robert Schumann used his story character “Kappelmeister Kreisler” in his piano work the Kreisleriana. He was the protagonist of Jacques Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffman.

Russian born pianist, later took on US citizenship. Gave his first concerts in Kiev, where he was born and educated. He continued his education with Felix Blumenfeld. After going on concert tours in Europe, he began giving his first concerts in the USA in 1928. He married the famous director Artur Toscanini's daughter Wanda, and became a US citizen. He stopped appearing on stage during 1936 – 1938 due to an illness. After 1953, he focused solely on making recordings. Returned to the giving concerts on stage in 1965. He gave a phenomenal and widely praised tour in his native country during the last years of his life.

German conductor. Masterfully conducted Wagner's and Richard Strauss's works. He took a position organizing the Bayreuth Festival after 1952. Was general musical director of the Hamburg State Opera, and of the Bavarian State opera in Munich. Keilberth conducted the orchestra in the performance of the Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos with Wilhelm Kempff and Idil Biret in Paris in 1953.

German pianist. Began his distinguished career in 1916. First worked as a soloist for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1918, and appeared on stage with this orchestra for the last time in 1979. Recorded the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven and Schubert. He was the teacher of Idil Biret, and performed with her Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos in accompaniment with the Conservatory Concert Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Keilberth, on 7-8 February 1953 at the Champs- Élysées Theatre in Paris, when Idil was only eleven years old.

German born conductor and composer, who passed to Israeli citizenship in 1970. Was an assistant to Mahler. Conducted the Berlin State Opera in the years 1927 – 33. After being forced to leave Nazi Germany in 1933, he immigrated to the USA that year. There he conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (1933 – 39), and conducted the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra (1947 – 50) after his return to Europe. Despite experiencing partial paralysis, he became head director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra after 1959.

German conductor. Conducted the Bavarian State Opera in Munich between 1922 – 36, and the Vienna State Opera between 1936 – 50). Known for his recordings made with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Polish pianist and composer. He studied with Mikuli. Lived in Paris after 1892. Wrote many operas and chamber music works. One of the greatest interpreters of Chopin. Arthur Rubinstein greatly envied him.

Composer, conductor and educator. Born in Mersin, Turkey. Entered the Ankara State Conservatory in 1939, and was sent to France with a state scholarship in 1948, where he worked with Honegger and Jean Fournet at the Ecole Normale de Musique, and took private lessons from Nadia Boulanger. He returned to Turkey in 1953, and received a position teaching composition at the Ankara State Conservatory. He conducted the Ankara State Opera and Ballet, and was head of the musicology department at the conservatory. He is the composer of the operas Van Gogh and Gilgamesh, of the Atatürk Oratorio, and of works for orchestra and chamber music. He helped Idil Biret settle in Paris and become Nadia Boulanger's student.

Austrian born violinist. Passed to French citizenship in 1938, and then to US citizenship in 1943. He became famous for his time as a soloist for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He is known for his short works written for violin and piano, such as the Caprice of Vienna, Liebesfreud, and Liebesleid.

German violinist. Taught in Berlin and Lausanne. His memoirs were published after his passing. He recorded Beethoven's violin – concerto sonatas in 1947 with young G. Solti at the piano.

American orchestra conductor of Austrian origin. He conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra after 1937 and the Cleveland Orchestras for a short while after 1943. He was musical director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra between 1962 – 69, and made successful recordings with this orchestra. He conducted Idil Biret’s debut concert in the US with the Boston Symphony Orchestra on 22 November 1963.

Polish pianist and educator. He was the student of Czerny in Vienna, and became close friends with Anton Rubinstein in St. Petersburg. When he returned to Vienna in 1878 he brought up many students there, particularly Paderewski and Schnabel.

French pianist and educator. Was the student of Diemer at the Paris Conservatory, while also studying harmony with Lavignac, and composition with Gédalge. He became professor at this conservatory in 1920. When he came to Turkey, he heard Idil Biret play and wrote a letter about the prodigy to the Minister of Education of the time.

Russian pianist. Known as an extraordinary educator. He lived mostly in Berlin along with his wife Rosina, who was also a great pianist and along with whom he gave concerts. When the First World War ended, they settled in the USA and became citizens of that country. In 1922, he took a position at the newly founded Julliard School of Music.

Russian dancer and choreographer. He was the student of Nijinsky. Went to Paris and joined Diaghilev's “Russian Ballet” company, becoming this company's head dancer in 1925. After the dissolution of the company in 1929, he entered the Paris Opera as first dancer and choreographer. He retired from this institution in 1958.

Hungarian composer. Studied at the Budapest Music School. Left Hungary in 1956, moving first to Köln where he worked in an electronic music studo, and then settling in Vienna. He composed using a method called “micropholyphony”. His Etudes Books I and II for piano were recorded by Idil Biret and Toros Can.

Romanian pianist. Alfred Cortot resigned from the jury in protest when he was given second place at the Vienna Piano Competition in 1934. He left Romania in 1943 and settled in Switzerland. His career was cut short after falling ill and dying from Hodgkin’s disease. His performances and recordings of two piano works with Nadia Boulanger attracted great interest and his name lives through the many fine recordings he made in the 1940s mainly for EMI produced by Walter Legge.

Pianist and composer of Hungarian origin. Played a great role in developing piano technique to bring it to the level it is at today. Was a pioneer of solo piano recitals. Worked as an conductor in Weimar, and conducted a performance of Wagner's Lohengrin there. He transcribed many of Bach's works, all the Beethoven symphonies and many Schubert lieder for piano.

French pianist and educator. Introduced the works of Debussy and Ravel to the world of music, and performed some of these works for the first time. Founded a competition with the violinist Jacques Thibaud in 1943 that bears their name and still continues today.

English pianist. Gave her first concert in 1929, and continued her career until the very last years of her life. She is famous for her interpretations of the works of the Russian composers. She was the first to perform Khatchatourian's Piano Concerto outside of Russia and was also the first to record Rachmaninov's four Preludes in the West.

A reformer and progressive Ottoman sultan. He initiated many reforms during the years 1808 – 1839 when he was in power, including dissolving the Mehterhane along with the Janissaries, and founding the Muzika-i Hümayun in its place. This ruler introduced European music into Turkish culture, and also composed music.

French composer. Entered the Paris Conservatory at eleven, received the Prix de Rome and stayed in Rome for three years. Known for such operas as the Hérodiade, Manon, La Navarraise. Idil Biret recorded his Piano Concerto written in 1903 with the Bilkent Orchestra under the baton of Alain Pâris.

Turkish diplomat and statesman. Arranged a reception and brought together the two great educators who taught Idil Biret, Wilhem Kempff and Nadia Boulanger, when he was the Turkish Ambassador in Paris in 1953 on the occasion of Biret’s performance of the Mozart Concerto for Two Pianos with Kempff.

American-born violinist. He took Swiss citizenship in 1970 and then British citizenship in 1985. Worked with Persinger and George Enescu. Menuhin was known in the world as a child prodigy. Acquired great fame for his recording in 1932 of Elgar's Concerto. Many composers wrote works dedicated to him. Idil Biret perfomed Beethoven Sonatas with Menuhin at the Istanbul Festival in 1973.

Italian pianist and educator. He also studied the violin as a youth. In 1939 he won the Geneva International Competition. After the war, he became known as an international virtuoso, especially with the concerts he gave in London and New York. He had to reduce much of his concert activities due to illness, and often had to cancel performances at the last moment. He had a piano school bearing his name in his native Brescia during the years 1964 – 1969.

Pianist, educator and composer of Armenian origin. Was a student a student of Chopin and a faithful continuator who passed on his style and technique to his own students.

Composer and music author. Son of the famous architect Kemaleddin Bey (1870 – 1927). After studying at the Ankara University Law Faculty, he worked for a while at the Diractorate of Press and Information, then went to the USA in 1955 with a Rockefeller Scholarship, continuing his musical education in New York. Worked on electronic music. He published articles on musical criticism in various newspapers and magazines, wrote books in the form of diaries, and published numerous books on the subject of music, particularly the Musiki Tarihi (History of Music). Worked for many years as a producer at the Atlantic company founded by Ahmet and Nasuhi Ertegün. Idil Biret made 9 LPs, including many 20th century works, for Atlantic's subsidiary company Finnadar set up by Mimaroğlu.

Pianist of Russian origin. Passed to English citizenship in 1937. Gave his first concerts in England in 1908, and in the USA in 1919. Interpreted Rachmaninov's works with such brilliant success that he attracted the composers own admiration.

French conductor. Worked on the Diaghilev Ballet's Paris performances. Conducted Stravinsky's Petrushka (1911), Spring Rite (1913), and Nightingale (1914) operas. He was conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra between the years 1919 – 24. Conducted the San Fransisco Symphony Orchestra between the years 1935 – 52, and became the music director of the London Symphony Orchestra in 1961. He conducted Idil Biret’s performance of Rachmaninov’s 3rd Piano Concerto with LSO in London in 1963

Son of the sultan Abdülmecid by Şevkefza Sultan. After the dethronement of Abdülaziz, he became sultan in 1876, but was himself removed from the throne three months later due to an alleged nervous problem. He spent the rest of his life with his family at the Çırağan Palace under arrest. During this 28 year period, he found the opportunity to work on music, and composed many short works in Western forms.

German pianist. Student of Leschetizky and Emil von Sauer. She gave her first concert in 1905. Ney is known for her interpretations of Beethoven and was greatly admired by Wilhelm Kempff.

Hungarian conductor. Conducted the Leipzig Gewandhaus and the Berlin Philharmonic orchestras from 1895 until the end of his life.

English pianist. He won the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1962 jointly with Vladimir Ashkenazy. He performed Sorabji's three and a half hour long Opus Clavicemballisticum in London in 1988. In 1970 he experienced an illness of the brain that continued until the end of his life and disrupted his career. This matter was taken up in the 1989 film Virtuoso.

Russian pianist. One of the greatest interpreters of Chopin's music. Became known especially after his tour of the USA in 1891. He is famous for his eccentric behavior, such as addressing the audience during concerts and recitals.

Polish pianist and composer. In 1919 he acted for a short while as prime minister, and in 1940 worked for the Polish Government in exile established in France. After taken lessons from Leschetizky, he gave concerts in London in 1890, and in New York in 1891. He more often performed in accompaniment of an orchestra during his long tours. Famous for his interpretations of Beethoven and Chopin, and his own composition, a Menuet in G major. He died in New York.

Italian virtuoso violinist, as well as violist and composer. During his career, which he spent playing mostly his own compositions, he performed many spectacles of virtuosity, such as plucking three of the violin's strings and playing with only one. He performed in London and Paris, then settled in Parma, where he organized the Duke's concerts. He died in Nice. His Caprice No. 24, the most famous of his caprices for solo violin, were taken up as main themes by many composers, including Brahms, Rachmaninov, and Lutoslawski.

American pianist. He came first at the Leeds Piano Competition in 1972 and became the first American to win this competition. Performed at the Aldeburgh Festival, then became the director of this festival after 1973 and settled in London. Recorded the complete piano concertos of Mozart by conducting from the piano. Organized chamber music events along with other pianists including Radu Lupu and Clifford Curzon.

Pianist of Polish origin. Lived in France. He was a student of Cortot in Paris, and performed all of Ravel's works for piano in front of the composer. He was a famous educator. Gave a recital in London at the age of 86. Perlemutter performed in Turkey in the 1950's.

Pianist born in Germany, who alter passed to US citizenship in 1938. He was a violinist before becoming a pianist. He was a student of Busoni, and performed this composer's work brilliantly.

Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. One of the most important composers of the 20th century. He created a personal style with the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic elements he developed. Worked with Gliere. In 1904, he entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and was a student of Lyadov and Rimsky-Korsakov. In 1917, he wrote his “First Symphony” , which is known as the “Classic”. He left his country in 1918, and went to the USA, where he wrote the opera The Love of the Three Oranges for the Chicago Opera, and performed it there in 1921. After 1920 he lived in Paris, worked with the Diaghilev company and wrote three ballet pieces for this company. He returned to his country in 1933, and encounter the strict attitude of the regime. Worked on film scores, and wrote at that tie is most distinguished symphonies (he wrote seven symphonies in total). In 1948 he was accused of being a “formalist” by the authorities, and was forced to confess. He died in 1953, on the same day as Stalin.

French pianist, organist and composer. Famous for the duo he formed with the Belgian violin virtuoso Ysaye. Made his first and most famous first recordings in 1903. He died in Moscow in 1914 during a concert tour of Russia.

Russian pianist, composer and conductor. Worked with his cousin, Siloti. He worked as an opera conductor between the years 1897 – 98 in Moscow, and went on his first tour of the USA in 1909. In 1921 he settled in this country, and went on long tours where he earned great fame as a virtuoso pianist. He wrote symphonies and concertos. Idil Biret recorded his complete works for solo piano and for piano and orchestra.

French composer and pianist. Was born in the Basque region. Settled in Paris. Entered the Paris Conservatory in 1889, and worked with Bérliot and Fauré. After 1901, he tried winning the Prix de Rome five times, but was not successful. He wrote works for piano, chamber music, and orchestras (La Valse, Tzigane) and operas (L'Heure Espagnole, the Child and the Magicians), which are considered masterpieces.

Composer, pianist, conductor and educator. After first studying at the Galatasaray High School and later completing his education in Paris at the Lycée Bouffon, with the start of the First World War he began his conservatory education in Geneva where his family had settled. He completed his education at this school in 1919, and later returned to Istanbul. Having gone to Paris around that time, he studied piano with Marguerite Long, composition with Raoul Laparra, and musical aesthetics with Gabriel Fauré. After returning to Turkey in 1923, he taught piano and composition at the Darülelhan, which later became the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory. In 1934, he founded a chamber music orchestra at the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory, which later would constitute the core of the Istanbul City Orchestra. In later years, this orchestra would turn into the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra. Rey was a prolific composer, who wrote symphonic music, chamber music, operas and operettes.

Russian pianist. Studied with Heinrich Neuhaus. In his first concerts, he performed Prokofiev's piano sonatas. He acquired great fame by giving concerts and recitals in Western countries after the 1960's. The technical perfection and expressive maturity he achieved at the piano continues to be well known today in musical circles.

Russian pianist and composer. Known as a child prodigy, in his maturity he made his name known outside Russia by going on a brilliant tour of the USA in 1872 – 73 . He was the director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory between 1862 – 67 and 1887 – 91.

Polish born pianist, who took US citizenship in 1946. He became internationally known after 1937. Formed duos with famous instrumental soloists such as Joachim, Cassado, and Ysaye. He was known as the essential interpreter of Spanish music and Chopin. He appeared in films, and pursued a successful career. After the war, he refused to enter Germany in protest of what the Nazis had done. He gave concerts even nearing the age of 90. After hearing Idil Biret in Paris he said in a French TV program in 1955, “ When Biret played I was fascinated, I had tears in my eyes. I predict a great future for her”.

A French author whose real name was Aurore Dupin, but who preferred to be known by the male name. She had an affair with Frédéric Chopin that started on the island of Mallorca, later continued at the family estate in Nohant, and ended in 1847. Idil Biret performed at the Chopin Festivals in 1997 and 2002 at the Nohant estate of George Sand.

German pianist. Student of Nikolai Rubinstein and Liszt. Pursued a long and distinguished career as a pianist between the years 1882 – 1936. He was instrumental in the publication of Brahms's complete piano works. He recorded Liszt's two piano concertos at the age of 77.

Composer, educator, and ethnomusicologist. Born in İzmir. Studied music with Ismail Zühtü Bey when studying at the Ittihat ve Terakki Mektebi, and became the piano student of Rosati. He continued his work with piano after 1922 with Macar Tevfik Bey. After teaching music in schools in Izmir and the Izmir High School in 1924 – 25, he won a state exam established in 1928 and went to Paris, where he studied at the Scola Cantorum under Eugène Borrel and Vincent d'Indy. He returned to Turkey in 1931, and taught counterpoint at the Ankara Musik Muallim Mektebi. In 1934, he went to Istanbul, and began to teach at the Municipal Conservatory. He conducted studies in the Osmaniye region of Adana with the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók,who came to Turkey in 1934, and compiled much folk music. In 1939 he was inspector of the Community Centers and musical advisor to the CHP (Republican People's Party). In 1964, he began giving composition classes at the Ankara State Conservatory, and continued this until 1972. He gave classes on ethnomusicology and composition at the Istanbul Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory. His works include the Yunus Emre Oratorio, the Kerem Özsoy operas, fives symphonies, concertos for violin, piano, and viola, and works for chamber music and piano.

Austrian born pianist, who passed to US citizenship in 1944. One of the most distinguished piano virtuosos and piano educators of the 20th century. He was a student of Leschetizky. Settled in Berlin, performing there on the occasion of the centennial of Beethoven's death in 1927 all seven of his sonatas, which were recorded at the same time. He also brought to light Franz Schubert's piano sonatas, that had been neglected until then. He fled Nazi Germany in 1933, and later returned to Europe after the war. He died in Switzerland.

German conductor. Known for his interpretations of 20th century music. Performed all the nine symphonies of Beethoven with the Presidential Philharmonic Orchestra in Ankara in 1947. Idil Biret played Stravinsky’s Capriccio with Scherchen conducting the Belgian National Orchestra in 1959.

Austrian born composer, conductor and educator, who passed to US citizenship in 1941. He proposed the Twelve Tone System and pioneered this system, along with his students Berg and Webern, writing important works such as the Erwartung, Moses and Aaron for the stage, and the Verklaerte Nacht for orchestra, and the Gurrelieder for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra.

Austrian composer. Lived in Vienna, and never left this city. Schubert composed over six hundred lieder, nine symphonies, works for piano and for chamber music.

“Community Centers” (Turkish: Halkevleri, also translatable as “People's Houses”) was the name of a community enlightenment project established by the Turkish State in 1932 to foster cultural development and support for the new Republican reforms. It was later abolished in 1951. (t.n.)

German composer, pianist, conductor and music author-publisher. Studied in Leipzig and Heidelberg. Known especially for his four symphonies, one concerto for piano, one for violin, and one for cello, his lieder, and his work for chamber music. He spent the last years of his life in a clinic in Düsseldorf due to mental illness and died there at a young age.

German soprano. One of the greatest opera and lied interpreters of the 20th century.

Ottoman sultan. Son of Mustafa III and Mihrişah Sultan. He was well educated, and was interested especially in music and literature.

Russian pianist and conductor. Studied piano with Liszt. He was a well-known piano instructor in Moscow and his students included his cousin, Rachmaninov. Siloti conducted the first performance of Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. He settled in the USA in 1922, and taught at Julliard until 1942.

English born (Essex) composer, pianist, and author. His father was Persian, his mother of Spanish-Sicilian origin. He taught himself composition, and performed his own works in 1921 and 1922 in London, Paris, and Vienna. Later, because of the length and difficulty of his works, he stopped performing in the 1970's. One of these works was the Opus clavicembalisticum, which he allowed only the pianist John Ogdon to perform. This work has three sections, twelve sub-sections, one theme and forty four variations, lasting almost three and a half hours.

German pianist and composer. One of the students of Liszt, and read the sermon at his burial. He was known in Germany is a brilliant conductor, and later settled in Geneva in 1907. There he worked as a conservatory instructor and organizer of concerts. He composed two concertos for piano, lieder, and pieces for piano.

Russian born composer, conductor, pianist, and author. He became a French citizen in 1934, and a US citizen in 1945. He authored works for ballet (Rite of Spring, Firebird, Petrushka) each of which caused a sensation. With his rhythmic, melodic and harmonic innovations, he was greatly influential on the development of music in the 20th century. He spent his youth in Switzerland and France, and his later years in the USA.

Russian base. Worked for the Bolshoi Theatre between 1899 and 1914. After 1901, he began to take roles on the international scene. He returned to Russia after the 1917 Revolution, but left his country in 1921. Was greatly successful with Mussorgski and Borodin's operas, and with Gounod's “Faust”.

Virtuoso of ud for Classical Turkish Music, composer, and educator. One of the greatest ud players of the 20th century. Alongside his brilliant semais written for the saz, he wrote caprices for solo ud and etudes, thus showing a great affinity for the lutists of Western music.

olish pianist. Worked mostly in Germany. He was one of the most famous students of Liszt. He had an extraordinary memory. He died at a very young age from typhus. Besides his work as a pianist, Tausig was well known for his arrangements, that were the fashion for a time.

A pianist and musical educator, the son of a Ottoman officer and of the Venetian countess Allegri. He was educated in Hungary, and studied piano with Carl Tausig at that time. He came to Istanbul in 1877, and then became piano instructor at the Palace. He settled in Izmir in 1879, marrying a Turkish girl there and converting to Islam, after which he took on the name “Tevfik”. Ismail Zühtü Bey and Adnan Saygun were among this famous piano instructor's students.

French violinist. He was discovered by the famous conductor Colonne while playing violin in Parisian cafes. He became a famous soloist first in Paris, then on the international scale. Acquired great fame with the trio he founded with Alfred Cortot and Pablo Casals. He founded a competition in 1943 along with Marguerite Long that bears their name, and which is still continues to be prestigious. He continued to give concerts even in his old age, but passed away at 73 in an airplane accident on the way to Japan.

Italian conductor. He was an orchestra cellist in his youth, and conducted for the first time by chance, during a performance of an Aida in 1886 in Rio de Janeiro. With this chance event, he came to be counted among one of the world's most famous orchestra conductors. He followed draconically his principles of directing, and closely abided by the musical score. He conducted many operas, including the first performances of Pagliacci, La Boheme, The Girls of the Golden West, Turandot. He was artistic director of the Metropolitan between the years 1908 – 15, and of la Scala between 1920 – 29. He directed the New York Philharmonic Orchestra between the years 1928 – 36. He was the first non German-Austrian conductor of the Wagner operas at Bayreuth, but was forced to leave this position due to oppressive Nazi policies. The NBC Orchestra was founded in 1937 in his name. Although he spent many of his productive years in the USA, he never relinquished his Italian citizenship.

German composer, author and conductor. He had a great influence on the history of theatrical music by composing operas whose texts he himself composed, basing the themes on German mythology. From the beginning of his productive period that started in 1833 with Die Feen and lasted until 1882 with Parsifal, he wrote works with great dramatic content. He founded in Bayreuth a “temple to opera” , the Festspielhaus. With his extraordinary creativity, he proposed and practiced the theory of Gesamtkunstwerk.

Conductor of German origin. Later chose to become a French (1938) then US (1946) citizen. After pursuing his education in Hamburg and Berlin, he went to Vienna, and there became an assistant of Gustav Mahler at the Palace Opera. He conducted the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra between 1929 – 38. In 1936 – 38, he was the head director of the Vienna State Opera, and was the director of the Salzburg Festival during this entire time. He became famous especially for his conducting of Mozart's music. He stayed away from Nazi Germany and Austria during the war.

German composer, pianist and conductor who influence Wagner. He is considered one of the founders of German romantic opera. Distinguished himself with such operas as Der Freischütz and Oberon.

Austrian composer. One of the practitioners of the “Twelve Tone” method along with Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg.

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