Turquoise
Guitar Editions (ASCAP)
Three Turkish Folk Songs by Mesut Özgen
Three
Turkish Folk Songs
were first written for voice and guitar in 1998. Later, I rearranged the voice
part for oboe (or kemenche) and cello, adding more instrumental ornamentation.
Turkish folk music is basically monophonic; monodic folk songs are usually
accompanied by a saz or a group of saz, a plucked Turkish
folk instrument which doubles the melody with some additional drone tones.
There is no traditional harmonization of these tunes. I used some tonal harmony,
but also added dissonances giving the illusion of quartertones to create a
unique sound. Some sections include contrapuntal texture and counter melodies
with augmented seconds, which is not uncommon in Turkish folk music. I have
also added some not authentic but original ornamentation in the oboe and cello
parts when playing especially long-sustained notes of the tune. Kâtip
means clerk or scribe in Turkish. A woman is telling about her lover, a kâtip,
young and handsome man who works in a courthouse in old Istanbul. It is one
of the most popular traditional songs in Turkey. Aygiz is
an Azerbaijani Turkish folk song. A man is longing for his beloved, and watching
the roads for her return. He is calling out to her, but she is not responding.
He is burning because of her love. Aman Avci tells also a
love story, but it is a deer’s love for a hunter. She is begging the
hunter not to shoot her. This is a light-hearted song as opposed to the sad
and melancholic mood of Aygiz.
Mesut Özgen
December 2000
Santa Cruz, California
Duration: ca. 1:00 min
Recorded on: Anatolian Fantasy CD by Mesut Özgen
Score and parts for:
1) melody
instrument and guitar TGE 008
ISBN: 978-1-934361-07-8
2) voice and guitar TGE 045
ISBN: 978-1-934361-42-9
3) oboe,
cello and guitar TGE 009
ISBN: 978-1-934361-08-5
4) voice,
flute, and two guitars TGE 010
ISBN: 978-1-934361-09-2
Katip 
- Aygiz
- Aman Avci
PDF Price: USD $31.96 (score and parts)
For PDF orders (the PDF will be sent to your email address that is submitted during the payment transaction within 24 hours. Please make sure to put orders@turquoiseguitar dot com in your addressbook in order to avoid junk/spam redirection):
PRINT-BOOK Price: USD $39.95 (score and parts) + shipping & handling
For PRINT-BOOK orders in the USA:
For International PRINT-BOOK orders (outside the USA):
Note: Please click on the appropriate "BuyNow" or "Add to Cart" button for PDF and domestic or international PRINT-BOOK orders. Otherwise, the shipment of your order will be delayed until the complete payment for shipping & handling is received. Thank you!
I. Kâtip
On my way to Üsküdar, it started raining
My clerk's coat is too long, the hems are muddy
My clerk just woke up, he has sleepy eyes
He is my clerk, I belong to him, it is none of others' business
His starched shirt looks great on him
II. Aygiz
You set me on fire, Aygiz
My love is feeding this fire
Why did you say you love me if you were going to throw me away ?
Give me the love syrup, let me drink
Tell me, tell me what happened to you, my love
I am watching the roads,
oh my eye hurts
It's been a while, the leaves turned yellow
My eyes have become hopeless while watching the roads for your return
It has been a year that your words are in my heart
Tell me, tell me what happened to you, my love
I am begging you, come
to me, don't stay out there
Don't hurt me
I am begging you, my love, don't throw me over, don't leave me
I am calling you, come to me, don't stay out there
Don't hurt me
I am begging you, my love, don't throw me over, don't leave me
III. Oh, Hunter
Oh, hunter don't shoot me,
I am this mountain's, oh honey, doe
I am a doe and a wounded doe,
The hunter has shot me, oh honey, I am wounded
I threw a pebble; it landed in the stream,
From the stream, oh honey, a couple of pheasants flew
My heart fell for you,
Who did, oh honey, your heart fall for