Marches written by European musician for sultans at the end of the Ottoman State

Music begins with the imitation of human sounds and means more than the imitation in parallel with human development, becomes a way representing the thoughts and feelings of human beings ideally in the course of time. Music in Turkish culture which has a long period of time becomes an indispensable culture element for Turkish communities and these communities find a deeper way with the help of music in order to express their life. Through the developments in Music life and sense of Music, Turks have performed ?one-sounded? music for the centuries. Ottoman State a member of this community, also adopt this performing style and continue to use this style until 19th century.Undoubtedly, 19th century is a turning point for Ottoman State. Sultan Mahmud II (1808?1839) who makes reform with the anxiety of escaping the problems happening until this century and adapting the changing world, tries to built a new Ottoman State with the help of changing in military and political fields. These changing movements named ?Westernization? and the hugest change becomes in the field of Music. In the framework of Westernization beginning and executing by government, the interest for European Music has increased and European musicians? works begin to take a more interest. The influence of music in western style in Turkish music culture coincides to this period.Musicians were invited from Europe and activities about Musical Education in Western style became popular. On the one hand, western style schools like Muzıka-yı Hümayun (Imperial Military Music School in the Ottoman Empire) were opened; bands and orchestras were founded by government, on the other hand concerts were organized for European Musicians in order to perform their works.Ottoman state adopts Western Music as a provision for being a European and shows great care. For this reason, European Musicians began to compete with each other against the Ottoman State?s deep interest. It was a prestige for musicians to compose for Sultans in some cases and being admitted by Sultans became very important for them.In this study concerned for the years 1808?1922, The Prime Minister's Archive for Ottoman Documents (B.O.A) and Istanbul University Manuscripts Library were scanned and marches written by European Musicians for Sultans were investigated. Data were interpreted carefully by regarding the political and social conditions of the period. Therefore, a different point of view to field of History is provided with the light and the framework of Music.Key Words: Ottoman, Muzıkâ-i Humayûn, Music, March