Typological and formal analysis of Hoca Kanuni Mehmet Bey's saz semâîs

Ottoman-era traditional Turkish music, which holds an important place in the history of traditional Turkish music, is regarded as one of the most valuable and deeply rooted elements of cultural heritage with its rich melodic structure, makam system, and diverse forms. Within this musical tradition, especially the saz semâî, stands out as one of the most original, impressive, and distinctive types of the instrumental repertoire, emerging as a significant instrumental form that reveals both the technical and aesthetic aspects of traditional Turkish music. This form also draws attention for its educational value and carries great significance in terms of music education. Kanuni Mehmet Bey, one of the prominent composers of the 17th century, reflected the aesthetic understanding of his era through his works in this form and made significant contributions to the formal development of the saz semâî. Moreover, his repertoire comprises a total of 30 works, including 10 songs (şarkı), 6 peşrev, 2 sirto, and 12 saz semâî. His compositions offer examples worthy of technical analysis in the traditional Turkish music repertoire and provide important insights into the musical understanding and compositional techniques of the period. This study aims to examine Kanuni Mehmet Bey's saz semâî works in terms of form, aesthetics, and artistry, analyzing their structural characteristics and exploring the composer's stylistic approach in detail. First, the historical development and characteristic features of the saz semâî form will be discussed. Then, Kanuni Mehmet Bey's works will be evaluated within the framework of a detailed analysis and subjected to a comprehensive formal examination. In the formal analysis carried out in this research, Akdoğu's formal analysis method has been employed. Furthermore, the composer's artistic approach and the place of his works in the traditional Turkish music repertoire will be interpreted within the context of the musical understanding of his era. This research is expected to offer important conclusions regarding the development and function of the saz semâî form in the process of traditional Turkish music. At the same time, by revealing Kanuni Mehmet Bey's artistic approach and his innovative aspects within this form, it aims to provide a new and original perspective to the literature. The findings are anticipated to make significant contributions to the theory, performance, education, and compositional understanding of traditional Turkish music and are therefore expected to be examined and evaluated by a wide audience, ultimately inspiring future scholars and musicians to delve deeper into the aesthetic and historical richness of this timeless musical tradition.