The Great Plane Tree of Turkish Music Commemorated at İZÜ on the 50th Anniversary of His Passing

The "Pole of Ney" Ulvi Erguner was commemorated at İZÜ on the 50th anniversary of his passing. The program, titled "The Ney Virtuoso Ulvi Erguner: Transcending Time with His Sound and Passion," featured a concert by his son, ney virtuoso and İZÜ faculty member Prof. Dr. Süleyman Erguner, alongside vocal and instrumental artists. The event, which showcased Erguner family compositions spanning generations, was highlighted by touching memories from the Korean War.

Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University held a program titled "The Ney Virtuoso Ulvi Erguner: Transcending Time with His Sound and Passion," honoring the life and contributions of Ulvi Erguner, known as the “Kutb-i Nâyi” (Pole of Ney Virtuosos). Led by Prof. Dr. Süleyman Erguner, the event included stories and a commemorative concert.
In his opening speech, İZÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar highlighted the importance of preserving Turkish music amidst the rise of foreign influences and emphasized İZÜ’s efforts to support it through education and research.

THE ERGUNER FAMILY'S MUSICAL LEGACY
At an event attended by İZÜ Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. İbrahim Güney and Prof. Dr. Erhan İçener, İZÜ faculty member and ney virtuoso Prof. Dr. Süleyman Erguner reflected on the lasting influence of his father, Ulvi Erguner, and grandfather, Süleyman Erguner.
“There is an Erguner school in ney, passed down through generations,” he said. “My father, Ulvi Erguner, was a pioneer, bringing Sufi music to the radio and paving the way for others. A follower of Mevlana’s teachings, he expanded Sufi music and ney tradition both on stage and in academia.”

A MEMORY FROM THE KOREAN WAR: THE ‘GAZI NEY’
Prof. Dr. Süleyman Erguner shared a moving story from his father Ulvi Erguner’s time during the Korean War. He recounted how his father played the ney during a month-long sea voyage to accompany Turkish soldiers, offering them comfort amid the hardships of war and homesickness. “The ney’s sound became a source of solace and morale for the troops throughout the journey,” he said. A ney damaged in an explosion during the war became known in music circles as the ‘gazi ney’ (veteran ney), which Prof. Erguner later repaired. Years later, he had the honor of playing it again at a special invitation from Korea.
The event continued with a concert featuring compositions from the Erguner family and select works of Turkish music. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Erguner was accompanied by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öncel, TRT vocalist Furkan Biçer, and others, offering music lovers a journey through Turkish music's rich heritage. Ulvi Erguner’s legacy provided an emotional and cultural experience for all in attendance.