World-renowned Turkish violinist Ayla Erduran dies at 90
Ayla Erduran playing the violin on the balcony of Aliye Berger's atelier in Narmanli Han, Türkiye. (Photo via Salt Research)
Ayla Erduran, the internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso who earned fame through her stellar performances across Türkiye and the world, has died at the age of 90. The celebrated State Artist of Türkiye, Erduran, was one of the first-generation artists of the Republic. Pianist Gulsin Onay announced her passing on social media.
A funeral ceremony will be held on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 1:00 p.m. in the AKM Turk Telekom Opera Hall, followed by afternoon prayers at Taksim Mosque. She will be laid to rest in her family’s plot at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.
Nation mourns great loss
Pianist Gulsin Onay shared her condolences in a heartfelt social media post:
“What a tremendous loss… We have lost Ayla Erduran. Our great violinist, an unparalleled musician, is no longer with us. Her art and music touched countless hearts and will always be remembered. The emotions she brought to life through her music and the legacy she left behind will never fade.
May she rest in peace. My deepest condolences to her loved ones, family, and the entire music community. We are truly fortunate that such an artist graced these lands.”
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism also expressed its sorrow, highlighting Erduran’s immense contributions. She performed as a soloist with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra for many years, representing Türkiye on the global stage and inspiring a new generation of artists.
Honoring legacy
Following the funeral ceremony, afternoon prayers will be held at Taksim Mosque, and she will be interred in the family plot at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.
Who was Ayla Erduran?
Born on Aug.22, 1934, in Istanbul, Ayla Erduran was the daughter of Behcet Sabit Erduran, a pioneer in urology, and Kadriye Erduran. Her musical journey began at the age of four under the tutelage of Karl Berger. She delivered her first recital at the age of ten at Saray Cinema, accompanied by Ferdi Statzer.
From 1946 to 1951, she studied at the Paris Conservatory, graduating with top honors in violin. Between 1951 and 1955, she trained in the United States under the guidance of Armenian maestro Ivan Galamian and violin virtuoso Zino Francescatti. Her American debut was with an orchestra conducted by Thomas Schermann in Newark.
Erduran’s European career took off in Poland, where she performed Glazunov’s Violin Concerto with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Between 1957 and 1958, she studied with David Oistrakh at the Moscow Conservatory and was among the top six finalists in the 1957 Wieniawski Competition, which featured 120 violinists.
Life dedicated to music
Erduran’s tours took her to numerous cities across Europe, South America, the United States, Canada, the Middle East, India, Africa, Russia, Azerbaijan, and many parts of Türkiye. In 1963, she toured the Middle East with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and performed across Anatolia.
In 1970, she was awarded the Beethoven Prize in the Netherlands. The following year, she received the title of State Artist from the Republic of Türkiye. In 1985, she recorded Brahms’ Violin Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Paita’s baton. She also performed Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with the Suisse Romande Orchestra under Ansermet during the composer’s centennial year.
Educator and author
From 1973 to the 1990s, Erduran taught masterclasses at the Conservatoire Populaire and the Lausanne Conservatory in Switzerland. Her life was chronicled in a biographical novel titled “Would You Listen to Ayla?” by Evin Ilyasoglu in 2002.
In 2012, she was honored with the “Medaille d’Honneur – Medaille de Vermeil,” an award presented by the Paris-based Société d’Encouragement au Progrés and the French Senate to individuals who leave a lasting impact in their fields.
Ayla Erduran’s remarkable career and contributions to music will forever be cherished. Her artistry, passion, and dedication have left an indelible mark on Türkiye’s cultural heritage and the world of classical music.
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