Safiye Ayla Targan, widely known by her stage name Safiye Ayla, was an iconic figure in Turkish classical music and one of the foremost female vocalists of her time. Born on June 14, 1907, in Istanbul, she was adopted by a wealthy family and received a quality education which included extensive music training. Her natural talent and disciplined study enabled her to master the complex modal system of classical Turkish music, along with its elaborate and nuanced vocal techniques.

Ayla's career began to take off in the 1920s and '30s, during which she became famous for her exceptional performances of classical Turkish songs, improvisations (taksims), and gazels (improvised sung poetry). Her signature vocal style, blending power with an emotive intricacy, captured the hearts of audiences and etched her name into the annals of Turkish music history. She recorded numerous albums throughout her life, contributing to the Taş Plak (shellac records) era with her rich soprano voice. Not merely a performer, Safiye Ayla was also known for her close relationship with the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and a selection of her recordings includes songs admired by him. Her legacy is a treasure trove of classical Turkish music, preserved in both recordings like "Safiye Ayla ile Radyo Günleri" and in scores that continue to inspire musicians today. Safiye Ayla passed away on January 14, 1998, but her soulful renderings and her role in shaping the identity of Turkish art music live on.

Genres

Rumeli Turkuleri

Turk Sanat Muzigi

Latest Release

Safiye Ayla, Taş Plak Arşiv.1

Safiye Ayla

Single - Released June 30, 2021