Analysis of the works in the form of Agir Semai and Yuruk Semai, whose lyrics belong to Fuzûlî, in terms of the usûl-vezin relation

This study focuses on the analysis of the relationship between usûl (rhythmic patterns in Turkish music) and vezin (metrical patterns in classical Turkish poetry) in Ağır Semâî and Yürük Semâî compositions whose lyrics were penned by the prominent Divan poet Fuzûlî. Although Classical Turkish music and Classical Turkish literature are often studied as separate disciplines, they are, in essence, complementary branches of art. The centrality of vocal music over instrumental music in Classical Turkish music, as well as the fact that compositions are typically built upon poetry, highlights the vital role of literature—particularly Classical Turkish poetry—in the musical tradition. The concepts of usûl in music and vezin in poetry have supported each other for centuries within an established system and structure. This study aims to offer a clearer understanding of the interplay between these two concepts. Usûl, one of the fundamental elements of Classical Turkish music, is responsible for establishing rhythm, harmony, and structure in compositions. In parallel, aruz (prosody), as the poetic equivalent of usûl, determines the rhythmic structure of verse in Classical Turkish literature. A longstanding and remarkable relationship is believed to exist between aruz, which defines the rhythm and dynamism of poetry, and usûl, which organizes the rhythm and structure in music. A selection of poems written by Fuzûlî— one of the most prominent figures of Divan poetry—has been examined within the context of Ağır Semâî and Yürük Semâî forms. Through analytical charts prepared for this study, the usûl-vezin relationship is illustrated with greater clarity. The musical scores of selected works were gathered from various sources and transcribed digitally, adhering faithfully to the original notations. In total, eighteen compositions were analyzed. The notations and bibliographic details of each piece are presented systematically. The formal characteristics of the lyrics are described, followed by the full text of the poems and their translations into contemporary Turkish. The lyrical content and rhythmic structures of the pieces play a critical role in this analysis. Special attention has been paid to the placement of lyrics within the compositions and the corresponding positioning of usûl beats. Distribution tables matching poetic meter (vezin) with musical rhythm (usûl) have been constructed for each piece, and the resulting symmetrical or asymmetrical patterns have shaped the framework of the analysis. The findings obtained from the analyses are presented in detail in the relevant sections. The compatibility of the examined works in terms of the relationship between usûl and vezin has been systematically demonstrated through tables.