Esin Engin

Esin Engin — Biography

Esin Engin (17 May 1945, Sivas – 4 May 1997, Istanbul) was a Turkish composer, arranger, conductor and singer born into a family of Crimean Tatar descent. He began studying music at age five, first training in classical Turkish music on the oud and kanun, and later studied piano, harmony and composition while attending high school in the United States; he went on to complete degrees at Istanbul University's School of Journalism and the voice department of the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory. After working as a musician and soloist in leading orchestras, he rose to prominence with the 1972 singles "Dök Zülfünü Meydane Gel" and "Tango," and his 1973 debut LP "Modern Oyun Havaları" became a best-seller at home and abroad for reinterpreting traditional Turkish music in fresh instrumental arrangements.

From 1972 onward, Engin worked behind the scenes as an arranger and conductor for numerous stars of Turkish pop and classical music, including Sezen Aksu, Erol Evgin, Nilüfer, Zerrin Özer and Tanju Okan, while also serving as music director for musicals such as "Hisseli Harikalar Kumpanyası" and "Lüküs Hayat." He composed memorable scores for films including "Zübük" and "Çöpçüler Kralı," and for television, most notably the 1986 series "Çalıkuşu." Diagnosed with leukemia in 1994, he continued composing film scores from his hospital bed until his death in Istanbul on 4 May 1997.