COMPOSITEURS ET INTERPRÈTES

OVRİK KAZASYAN

(1872- 1936 or 1940)

Armenian lutanist and traditional Turkish music composer. Ovrik was born in Kumkapı, İstanbul. He died of a gastric ulcer at 64. His original name was Hovrik Kazasyan and he was a brother of Senpad Episkopos Kazasyan, who was the acting Vice- Patriarch. Ovrik Efendi learned traditional music from Lutanist Sarı Onnik and became one of the most famous lutanists in Istanbul. In addition, he was known by his pieces that he played in the Divan, Semai and Koşma style. These three famous pieces belong to him: Hicâz Yürük Curcuna (Açsam derdimi ey mâh, nâfile), Hicâzkar Curcuna (Mestim bu gecê, sen de banâ mest olarak gel), Kürdî’li Hicâzkâr Aksak (Bir bahr-i gamâ daldı gecê fikr-ü hayâlim).