Evaluation of Ahmet Samim Bilgen's books for voice and piano in line with musical analysis and expert opinions

This study presents a holistic analysis of sixteen works included in the vocal and piano collections titled "Turkish Folk Songs," "Two Lieder," "Memories," and "Marches" by Ahmet Samim Bilgen, one of the composers of the Republican Era in Turkey, examining both their musical features and pedagogical functions in vocal training. The research was conducted using a qualitative method within the framework of a descriptive research model. The pieces were analyzed and tabulated in terms of their tonal/modal structures, vocal ranges, time signatures, dynamic markings, number of measures, and thematic content. During the data collection process, a semi-structured interview form—developed with contributions from academic experts—was distributed online to gather expert opinions. The study group consisted of academics who had taught vocal training courses in Faculties of Education and Fine Arts. The collected data were analyzed using the content analysis method. The findings reveal that Bilgen, successfully synthesizes an international understanding of polyphonic harmony with Turkish folk music motifs in a balanced manner. Irregular meters, modal colors, and thematic diversity stand out as elements that enhance the pedagogical value of the works. Expert opinions indicate that the arrangements of lieder and folk songs support intonation, articulation, and legato skills in beginner and intermediate-level students; while the march-style compositions offer significant contributions to advanced breath control and dynamic nuance development.