It has been over four decades since Emel Sayın first came into the limelight, and she still delights fans of classical Turkish music with her ever-beautiful voice. Sayın was onstage over the weekend for two concerts, featuring a wide-ranging repertoire from classical musicians Saadettin Kaynak and Selahattin Pınar, at the İş Sanat Culture Center in İstanbul. And ahead of her concerts, Sayın spoke to Today’s Zaman about her amazing career, her passion for Turkish classical music and her upcoming projects.
What were you dreaming of when you first became a headliner in concert halls, and have your dreams come true?

I have realized not only what I dreamed of but also had experiences that I could never have imagined before. The Foreign Ministry and the Culture Ministry chose me to represent my country overseas in many international events. I had a part in the first-ever Turkish classical musical “Neşe-i Muhabbet,” Egemen Bostancı’s project. These were all beautiful experiences that I couldn’t imagine when I was on stage for the first time.

Do you think there are new acts, new songwriters and composers to nourish Turkish classical music?

There are many talented young people around, but they are either unable to present themselves in a proper way, or there isn’t enough room for their music in the market. I know very many young musicians, but they somehow had to get into pop music. If there was the demand for Turkish classical music we had 30 or 40 years ago, they would have a chance to justify their talent.

You won a vocal competition at the age of 16 with your performance of a song by Münir Nurettin Selçuk. In 2006 you came up with a tribute project to Selçuk and also released a live recording of this project. Which of his songs inspire you the most?

He was my teacher and sang in such a beautiful way. I am a great admirer of his songs. There’s no way to describe the excitement and joy I felt when he hired me for his choir. Among his beautiful compositions “Aheste Çek Kürekleri, Mehtap Uyanmasın” (Row the Boat Slow, Don’t Wake the Moon) is the one which gives me the greatest inspiration onstage. “Dönülmez Akşamın Ufkundayız” (Facing the Night of No Return) and “Kalamış” are songs which I sing with great enthusiasm.

Your concerts at İş Sanat on Nov. 14 and 15 featured a repertoire of songs by two prominent Turkish classical musicians, Saadettin Kaynak and Selahattin Pınar. How did you come up with this project?

This project was a kind of a tribute to Turkish classical music without any material aims. We are going to release a live recording of both performances, so I feel even more excited. I hope we are going to release the album just before the new year.

You are very elegant and graceful in your daily life, too. Isn’t it tiring to be this polite?

Thank you for asking me this question. When I think about this question, I can say that I don’t only feel tired, I sometimes also feel offended. Just because I am polite, people hesitate to express themselves when they speak with me. In fact, I am very open to differences. I like jokes and I have a sense of humor. I can easily adapt to people from different backgrounds, but people refrain from being themselves, and it hurts me. This is what I am, I am being spontaneously polite.

You also starred in movies, making your debut in the 1970 film “Şampiyon” (Champion) opposite Ayhan Işık. Can you tell us more about your film career?

It was my very first movie. I wasn’t even aware of what I was doing there. It was like a child’s play for me, but Ayhan Işık was very nice and gentle, and he approached me with great patience and tolerance. There was no script then. The director only gave instructions. These were all like a child’s play. I still like to watch my two movies “Mavi Boncuk” (Blue Bead) and “Yalancı Yarim” (My Liar Love), and both were directed by Ertem Eğilmez. The movie “Feride” also did fabulous at the box office and was a great breakthrough for me, but when I watch it now, it feels very naïve.

Since you released your very first album in 1971, some of your songs set you apart. Which of your songs describe you best?

I am always asked which of my songs I like the most, but it’s hard to choose. However, you are asking me which song describes me best. Sometimes some songs really go with your own emotions, and you sing from the bottom of your heart. I find an expression of my own feelings in “Ne Bildin Kıymetim, Ne Bildim Kıymetin” (Neither You Valued Me, Nor I Valued You).

Most Turkish classical music singers talk about Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum when asked about their idols. Who was yours?

I used to listen to classical music when I first started my singing career. I remember when I first heard Maria Callas on the radio singing an aria, but my mother was a fan of Turkish classical music and she had an excellent voice. I remember Ayten Alpman singing on the radio for her show once a week when she was married to İlham Gencer. That show was aired after 10 p.m. and although our household used to go to bed very early then, I used to wait for the show and listen to her. I was a great fan of Alpman.

Yıldırım Gürses composed a song inspired by your hands, and it became unforgettable. How did it make you feel?

It’s an interesting question. I have always been used to hearing compliments about my hands though I was not very careful with them. Honestly, I started to care about my hands after that song and about my nails in particular. The song was composed by Yıldırım Gürses in a very short period of time for our musical “Neşe-i Muhabbet,” after Egemen Bostancı suggested “Why don’t we have a unique song about Emel, about her beautiful hands.” They prepared a very beautiful mise en scène for the show.

If you had a pop music project, who would you like to collaborate with?

I never thought about that, but it would be very lovely to sing Turkish classical music together with Tarkan. He sings Turkish classical music in an excellent way. I would even sing “Şıkıdım” together with him; I love entertaining songs. I also like the attitude of Teoman. He is very outspoken and I like that. Singing together with Sezen Aksu and Nilüfer would also be very lovely. Nil Karaibrahimgil feels very authentic.

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