Ayla Erduran, the internationally renowned violin virtuoso whose exceptional performances garnered acclaim in Türkiye and around the world, has passed away at the age of 90. The celebrated State Artist of Türkiye, Erduran was part of the first generation of artists in the Republic. Her passing was announced by pianist Gulsin Onay on social media.
A funeral ceremony will take place on Thursday, January 9, at 1:00 p.m. in the AKM Turk Telekom Opera Hall, followed by afternoon prayers at Taksim Mosque. Erduran will then be laid to rest in her family’s plot at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.
Pianist Gulsin Onay expressed her condolences through a heartfelt message on social media:
“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, recognizing Erduran’s significant contributions to the musical world. She performed as a soloist with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra for many years, representing Türkiye on the global stage and inspiring future generations of musicians.
Following the funeral ceremony, afternoon prayers will be held at Taksim Mosque, and she will be interred in her family’s plot at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.
Born on August 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 guidance of Karl Berger. At ten years old, she gave her first recital at Saray Cinema, accompanied by Ferdi Statzer.
Erduran studied at the Paris Conservatory from 1946 to 1951, graduating with top honors in violin. She furthered her training between 1951 and 1955 in the United States with renowned mentors such as Ivan Galamian and Zino Francescatti. Her American debut took place with an orchestra conducted by Thomas Schermann in Newark.
Her European career took flight in Poland, where she performed Glazunov’s Violin Concerto with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. From 1957 to 1958, she studied with David Oistrakh at the Moscow Conservatory, and she was one of the top six finalists in the 1957 Wieniawski Competition, which included 120 violinists.
Erduran’s tours spanned multiple continents, performing in Europe, South America, the United States, Canada, the Middle East, India, Africa, Russia, Azerbaijan, and many cities across Türkiye. In 1963, she toured the Middle East with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, performing throughout Anatolia.
In 1970, she received the Beethoven Prize in the Netherlands, and the following year, she was awarded the title of State Artist by the Republic of Türkiye. In 1985, she recorded Brahms’ Violin Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Paita’s direction. She also performed Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with the Suisse Romande Orchestra under Ansermet during the composer’s centennial year.
Erduran was also a dedicated teacher, leading masterclasses at the Conservatoire Populaire and the Lausanne Conservatory in Switzerland from the 1970s through the 1990s. Her life and career were chronicled in the 2002 biographical novel Would You Listen to Ayla? by Evin Ilyasoglu.
In 2012, she was awarded the “Medaille d’Honneur – Medaille de Vermeil” by the Paris-based Société d’Encouragement au Progrés and the French Senate, recognizing individuals who have made lasting contributions in their fields.
Ayla Erduran’s extraordinary career and profound contributions to music will be cherished forever. Her artistry, passion, and dedication have left an enduring legacy in Türkiye’s cultural heritage and the world of classical music.
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