“The place where the sun rises” – this is the original meaning of the ancient Greek name Anatolia. For thousands of years, the poets of these lands have been the voice of Anatolia. Their roots reach back to ancient shamanic beliefs and folk traditions that still live on today; the Anatolian âşıks(troubadours) have preserved this heritage for centuries. These poets have witnessed the music and history of Anatolia.In their songs, emotion and thought, joy and sorrow, birth and death intertwine — reflecting the full depth of human existence. Through their melodies, they tell the story of the people — a story shaped and refined by centuries of social and cultural transformation.

The melodies of Anatolia are more than just music — they are the language of love, sorrow, and longing. Through timeless tales such as Kerem and Aslı, Mecnun and Leylâ, Ferhat and Şirin, and Tahir and Zühre, they speak directly to the emotional world of humankind. The works of Âşık Garip, Kerem, Köroğlu, Karacaoğlan, Gevherî, Dadaloğlu, Dertli, Yunus Emre, Mevlânâ, Pir Sultan Abdal, Ruhsatî, and Emrah continue to live in the hearts of the people. Aşık Veysel, Aşık Mahsuni, Aşık Murat Çobanoğlu, Sümmani, Aşık Daimi, Aşık Reyhani, and Aşık Şeref Taşlıova are among the great folk poets who carried the light of Anatolia into the world. Some of the melodic modes (ayak – “step, tone, style”) in Anatolian music still bear their names: Kerem, Kesik Kerem, Garip.

History, culture, geography, and social life form the foundation of this musical tradition. The migration of Turkic peoples from Central Asia created a unique cultural synthesis — a fusion of faith, sound, and life that gave birth to a rich and distinctive heritage.

Hasan Yükselir represents the revival of this musical legacy. With his distinctive voice, expressive power, and artistic vision, he unites Anatolian folk music with the refined tones of the piano. This harmony preserves the essence of tradition while transforming it into a universal musical language. Like the Neapolitan song, Portuguese Fado, or French Chanson, Anatolian folk music expresses the shared emotions, longing, and depth of humanity. Hasan Yükselir, through his piano interpretations of Anatolian songs, brings the soul of Anatolia to life on the world’s stages.