--- title: Osman Zeki Üngör slug: osman-zeki-ungor-940b0 url: /detay/osman-zeki-ungor-940b0 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Osman Zeki Üngör type: biography disambiguation: Osman Zeki Üngör: Pioneering Turkish violinist & conductor, founder of Presidential Symphony Orchestra. categories: - name: General Knowledge slug: genel-kultur url: /kategori/genel-kultur - name: Music slug: muzik url: /kategori/muzik - name: Performance Arts slug: sahne-sanatlari url: /kategori/sahne-sanatlari tags: - Composition - Turkish National Anthem - Osman Zeki Üngör author: Yakup Hilmi Altuntaş created_at: 2025-05-31T14:51:12.713055+03:00 updated_at: 2025-06-03T17:45:42.595612+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/03/7veIGoSY9DCndn5fy6lUUrUVNh35Ghgg.png --- # Osman Zeki Üngör > Turkish composer, conductor, concert violinist, music educator, and the composer of the Turkish National Anthem. ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Osman Zeki Üngör ![AJln1sSpRgnf6vsc38bgqRlWtif98Sxb.webp](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/31/a9aK7fNtvfG7JzwBqgKR6VLAsHNNUm6A.webp) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Place of Death(Text) | Istanbul - Republic of Turkey | | Death(Text) | February 28 1958 | | Place of Birth(Text) | Üsküdar - Istanbul - Ottoman Empire | | Occupation(s) | Music Educator,Violinist,Conductor,Concert,Composer | | Born(Text) | 1880 | | Positions Held | Founder and director of the Music Teachers’ School (Musiki Muallim Mektebi),Founder and conductor of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra (Riyaset-i Cumhur Musiki Heyeti) | | Additional Information | Retired in 1934 due to declining ability to play violin and age,Pioneer of polyphonic Turkish art music and symphonic orchestration in Turkey,First Turkish concert violinist | | Education | Muzıka-i Hümayun (Ottoman Imperial Orchestra),Beşiktaş Military Secondary School | | Notable Work | Composer of the Turkish National Anthem (official version adopted in 1930) | ## Article Content Osman Zeki Üngör, born in 1880 in the Üsküdar district of [Istanbul](/en/detay/istanbul-ataturk-museum-f9e25/llms.txt), hailed from a family deeply rooted in music. His grandfather, Santuri Hilmi Bey, was the founder of the “Fasl-ı Cedid” division of the Ottoman Imperial Orchestra, [Muzıka-i Hümayun](/en/detay/muzika-yi-humayun/llms.txt). His father, Hüseyin Bey, belonged to the notable Şekerci Hacı Bekir family. Growing up in Üsküdar, an important musical environment of the period, significantly contributed to the development of his artistic identity. ### **Education and Early Musical Career** After completing his education at Beşiktaş Military Secondary School (Askerî Rüştiye), Üngör joined the Muzıka-i Hümayun under his grandfather’s direction at a young age. Recognized by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, he received violin instruction from Italian violinist Pepini Gaito and French musician Vondra Bey. Additionally, he studied music theory and theory of music under Saffet (Atabinen) Bey and d’Aranda Pasha. During this period, he earned the distinction of being the first Turkish concert violinist. ### **Roles and Advancement in the Imperial Orchestra** At a young age, Üngör succeeded Vondra Bey as the concertmaster of the opera orchestra. He frequently performed violin recitals for Sultan Abdul Hamid II and was subsequently promoted to the rank of major. Although his rank was reduced following the Second Constitutional Era, he played an active role in the modernization efforts of Muzıka-i Hümayun. He contributed to the transformation of the orchestra from a group performing primarily marches and fantasy pieces into a full symphonic orchestra. Concurrently, he served as a music instructor at the Istanbul Male Teachers’ School (İstanbul Erkek Muallim Mektebi). ### **First European Tour** In 1917, as part of the Ottoman Empire’s cultural promotion efforts in Central Europe, Üngör organized and led the [first European tour](/en/detay/osman-zeki-ungor-907fc/llms.txt). The orchestra gave successful performances in Vienna, Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Budapest, and Sofia. Following this tour, he initiated weekly public symphonic concerts, facilitating the imperial orchestra’s inaugural interaction with the general public. ### **Republican Era and Activities in Ankara** After the abolition of the sultanate in 1922, Muzıka-i Hümayun was subordinated to the Caliphate Office (Hilafet Makamı). At the invitation of [Mustafa Kemal Atatürk](/en/detay/mustafa-kemal-ataturk-722184/llms.txt), Üngör relocated to Ankara and founded the [Presidential Symphony Orchestra](/en/detay/presidency-symphony-orchestra-concert-hall-38051/llms.txt) (Riyaset-i Cumhur Musiki Heyeti), serving as its conductor. In 1924, he established the Music Teachers’ School (Musiki Muallim Mektebi) and was appointed its director. In 1926, he conducted promotional concerts for [Türkiye](/en/detay/turkiye-2/llms.txt) in European ports aboard the Karadeniz Ship. In 1932, he spearheaded the process of separating the orchestra and band from military control and integrating them into civilian administration. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/05/31/fCx8xGqXg7VFZ7fw9ESxiOB3DsJBbvc5.jpg) *Osman Zeki Üngör (AA)* ### **Composition of the Turkish National Anthem** Following the adoption of the Turkish National Anthem on March 12, 1921, a composition competition was held in 1923, which was won by [Ali Rıfat (Çağatay) Bey](/en/detay/cagatay-ali-rifat/llms.txt). His composition was used as the official anthem until 1930. However, in 1930, Osman Zeki Üngör’s composition was officially adopted as the [national anthem](/en/detay/national-anthem-7da47/llms.txt) and has remained in use ever since. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/05/31/CktdigOe4qtgqNUed72qbfdS7Bcv6bHZ.png) *Original Recording of the Turkish National Anthem – (Istanbul University)* ### **Retirement and Final Years** In 1934, Osman Zeki Üngör retired due to declining ability to play the violin and advancing age. He withdrew to his residence in Moda, Istanbul, where he spent his remaining years. Üngör passed away on February 28, 1958, in Istanbul. At his funeral, he became the second person after [Mehmet Akif Ersoy](/en/detay/mehmet-akif-ersoy-f0141/llms.txt) to have the Turkish National Anthem performed in his honor. ### **Works and Musical Legacy** Among his compositions, the Turkish National Anthem stands out prominently. He also composed the Mustafa Kemal March, Alphabet March, Ankara March, Youth and Sports March, Imperial Army March (Asakir-i Şahane Marşı), Hamidiye March, Science March, Music Teachers’ March, Children’s March, Tradition March, Turkish March, as well as various children’s songs. Üngör was a pioneer in establishing polyphonic Turkish art music and symphonic orchestration in Türkiye. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Agency. “Composer of the Turkish National Anthem, Osman Zeki Üngör.” Accessed May 31, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur/istiklal-marsinin-bestecisi-osman-zeki-ungor/3494922. 2. Atatürk Encyclopedia. “Osman Zeki Üngör (1880–1958).” Accessed May 31, 2025. https://ataturkansiklopedisi.gov.tr/detay/507/Osman\_Zeki\_%C3%9Cng%C3%B6r\_(1880-1958\_). 3. Istanbul University Ottoman Music Research Center. “National Anthem 100th Anniversary: Recording of National Anthem under Zeki Üngör’s Direction.” Accessed May 31, 2025. https://osmanlimuzigi.istanbul.edu.tr/tr/content/istiklal-marsi-100-yil/zeki-ungor-yonetiminde-istiklal-marsi-plak-kaydi. 4. Ministry of National Education (Turkey). “National Anthem: Composer Zeki Üngör.” Accessed May 31, 2025. https://www.meb.gov.tr/istiklalmarsi/home/Beste/ZekiUngor.