Master of Turkish Folk Music Yücel Paşmakçı has passed away

Turkish Folk Music artist, academic, compiler, and choir conductor Yücel Paşmakçı has passed away at the age of 91.

The news of Paşmakçı's death was announced by artist Bedia Akartürk in a post on her social media account.

In her post, Akartürk stated, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Turkish Folk Music's most precious treasure, our conductor, our teacher Yücel Paşmakçı. We worked together for years, compiled and arranged many folk songs, and recorded many albums. He would watch every broadcast I appeared on and would always call me after the broadcast. I am very sad... I wish God's mercy upon our precious teacher, and I offer my condolences and patience to his family, relatives, loved ones, and our community."

FUNERAL CEREMONY ANNOUNCED

A ceremony for Yücel Paşmakçı will be held on Monday, June 22, at 13:30 at the Istanbul Technical University State Conservatory Mustafa Kemal Amphitheater.

Following the ceremony, the funeral prayer will be held at Şakirin Mosque following the afternoon prayer (ikindi). Paşmakçı will then be laid to rest in the family graveyard at Karacaahmet Cemetery.

MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO TURKISH FOLK MUSIC

Born on August 24, 1935, in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul, Yücel Paşmakçı began his musical life at a young age by playing the bağlama. In 1954, he passed the trainee musician exam opened by Istanbul Radio and joined the Yurttan Sesler (Voices from the Homeland) Choir.

Having served in the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory Turkish Folk Music Performance Committee, Paşmakçı served as the conductor of the Istanbul Radio Yurttan Sesler Ensemble for many years.

The artist, who directed various folk music programs on TRT İstanbul and Ankara radios, was among the founding board members of the Istanbul Turkish Music State Conservatory, which was established in 1975.

Paşmakçı, who also served as the Director of Turkish Folk Music and Dances at TRT, made significant contributions to the development of the Turkish Folk Music repertoire with the folk song compilations he carried out.

News Source: 12punto