The Story of Uyghur Composer and Pianist Guldiyar Tanrıdaglı

Güldiyar Tanrıdağlı is a prominent Uyghur-Turkish pianist, composer, dancer, and educator. Recognized as an ethnic Uyghur (often referred to as Uygur Türkü in Turkish sources), she is celebrated for her interpretations of Turkish folk music through polyphonic techniques, her innovative classical-crossover works, and her extensive contributions to film and TV soundtracks in Turkey.

Born in East Turkestan (Xinjiang, China), she immigrated to Turkey with her family at the age of 5. Her early artistic foundation was shaped by her mother, Gülzade Tanrıdağlı, who ran a ballet and dance school in Istanbul, where Güldiyar received classical ballet training.Guldiyar Tanrıdağlı is the daughter of Dr. Ferhat Kurban Tanrıdağlı—an eminent Uyghur scholar and sinologist, researcher and author, cultural and political advocate, and diaspora leader.

After completing elementary school, she enrolled in the Istanbul State Conservatory, affiliated with Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSÜ). There, she studied piano under renowned pedagogues Nurferi Onur and Perim Hamidoğlu (also spelled Hamidoglu in some sources). At the remarkably young age of 14, she performed her first orchestral concert, playing Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos alongside Can Okan, accompanied by the MSGSÜ Youth Orchestra.

Upon graduating from the conservatory, she pursued a master’s degree in concert piano performance at the prestigious Universität Mozarteum Salzburg in Austria, from which she graduated. During her master’s studies, she also trained in film scoring. Concurrently, she worked as a dancer and classical ballet instructor at the Salzburg SEAD (Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance) University.

Throughout her education and early career, she performed numerous concerts—particularly in Austria and Turkey—contributed to various albums, won awards in national and international piano competitions, and participated in dance performances with the Contemporary Ballet Company, including festival appearances.

After eight years in Austria, she returned to Turkey and took up teaching positions as a lecturer at the conservatories of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and Maltepe University.

In May 2015, she released her album Rachmaninov Anatolian Project on the Kalan Müzik label, collaborating with Ertan Tekin and Cenk Erdoğan. The project featured Rachmaninov’s works reinterpreted alongside traditional Anatolian instruments, exploring potential melodic influences from the composer’s possible Tatar roots.

From 2016 onward, she established herself as a prolific composer for Turkish television series, films, and documentaries. Notable works include original scores for Babam (2017), Koca Koca Yalanlar (2018), Kapı (2019, nominated for Best Music at the 52nd Cinema Writers Association Awards), Kurşun (2019), Baba (2022, multiple volumes), Yalı Çapkını (Golden Boy, 2022–2025, multiple volumes), and others such as Gülcemal (2023), Veda Mektubu (2023), Şahane Hayatım (2023–2024), Sakla Beni (2023–2024), and more recent projects like Halef: Köklerin Çağrısı (2025–) and Aynadaki Yabancı (2025). She also contributed to Ekşi Elmalar.

Her concert performances in Europe often conclude with arrangements of Turkish folk songs, reflecting her focus on East-West artistic dialogue. In 2018 (with some sources listing 2020 for related releases), she released the album Mülhem, compiling her arrangements of seven Turkish folk songs—three for solo piano and others for various instruments—aimed at promoting Turkish folk music globally through polyphonic and contemporary interpretations.

In 2020, she composed the original music for Nebil Özgentürk’s 11-part documentary series Kadınımızın Hatıra Defteri. Other collaborative albums include Music For Alto Flute & Piano (2020, with Ayşen Bulut).

In 2021, she released the single/album Çiçekçi Seyhan with singer Feryal Öney (also spelled Önel in some references). This project honored Seyhan, a florist from Istanbul’s Feneryolu neighborhood in Kadıköy who was murdered by her husband after his release from prison, while raising awareness about femicide in Turkey.

In 2023, she collaborated with cellist Çağlayan Çetin on Rachmaninov Works for Cello & Piano, with the album’s works premiering live at Süreyya Opera House.

Her accolades include the “Best TV Series Music” award from Turkey’s Film Industry and Artists Strengthening Foundation (Film-San Foundation) in 2024 for “Umutsuz Aşk” (Hopeless Love) from Yalı Çapkını.

Güldiyar Tanrıdağlı maintains an active presence on social media and streaming platforms, with her music widely available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube (where she shares live performances and soundtracks), and Instagram (@guldiyar tanridagli).

Sources:

• Turkish Wikipedia: https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Güldiyar_Tanrıdağlı
• Uyghur Times biography: https://uyghurtimes.com/the-story-of-uyghur-composer-and-pianist-guldiyar-tanridagli
• IMDb profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10219299/
• Radio Free Asia (2024 award): https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/composer-wins-turkish-award-10042024100147.html
• Various music platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube official channel) for discography and recent works.