Turkish composer.

Born March 14, 1906. Graduated from Galatasaray High School. Passed the examination and send to Paris for his education with Cezmi Rifki Erinc and Ekrem Zeki Un by the state in 1925. He studied in Paris Conservatory and Ecole Normale de Musique .

Upon his return to Turkey in 1930 he begun teaching at Musiki Muallim Mektebi (Music Teachers School). He met his wife Ferhunde Erkin at Musiki Muallim Mektebi and married in 1932.

He shared the grand price of Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi together with Ahmet Adnan Saygun and Hasan Ferit Alnar in 1943. He won the price for his piano concerto. He wrote the famous Köçekçe orchestra suite same year. In an interview he says Alfred Cortot in a visit to Turkey gave hime the idea of composing a piaono concerto.

The same piano concerto and Köçekçe suite was played by the Presidential Symphony Orchestra on March 11, 1943. Orchestra was conducted by Dr. Ernst Praetorius and piano played by Ferhunde Erkin. With the request of Ambassador Franz von Papen piano concerto was played in Berlin on October 8, 1943. Berlin City Orchestra was conducted by Fritz Zaun and piano played by Ferhunde Erkin.

Died on September 15, 1972.

Awarded with Palm Academique, Legion d'Honneur chivalary and officiel degrees, and Italian Rebuplic Medal at Ufficiale degree. Awarded state artist by Turkey in 1971. Awarded honour medal by Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation in 1991. A postage stamp issued by the Turkish PTT in 1985 for his name.

Some of the compositions of Mr. Erkin:

• First symphony. April 20, 1946
• Sonat for piano. First played by Ferhunde Erkin on January 15, 1948
• Concerto for violin. First played: Presidential Symphony Orchestra, conductor Ulvi Cemal Erkin, played by Licco Amar on April 2, 1948.
• Second symphony. July 2, 1958. Karl Oehring conducting Munich Philarmony Orchestra.
• Keloglan balet music. June 2, 1958. Kareografy by Ninet de Valois
• Six prelude. November 20, 1949. Played by Gülay Ugurata
• Seven folk pieces.
• Concertant symphony. Written in 1966. Conducted by Prof. Gotthold E. Lessing played by Verda Erman on November 10, 1967.
• Symphonic part (for big orchestra). Conducted by Perrison on October 8, 1976