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Süleyman Erguner performing on the ney
A living tradition. A life devoted to the Ney.

PROF. DR.Süleyman
Erguner

NEY VIRTUOSO · COMPOSER · MUSICOLOGIST

The expressive voice of the ney, carrying three generations of musical heritage from Istanbul to the world.

Three generations of the Erguner traditionTurkish classical & Sufi music
Professor Dr. · Istanbul Technical UniversityPerformance, research & education
Intangible Cultural Heritage BearerTürkiye · Ministry of Culture and Tourism
01 / The artist

Rooted in tradition.
Open to the world.

Prof. Dr. Süleyman Erguner is a ney virtuoso, composer, musicologist and professor at Istanbul Technical University. His work brings together the depth of Turkish classical and Sufi music, scholarly inquiry and an enduring commitment to the art of the ney.

The son of Ulvi Erguner and grandson of ney master and composer Süleyman Erguner, he carries forward the third generation of a distinguished musical tradition. He is recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage Bearer by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Read the artist biography

Erguner began learning the ney from his father through the traditional master–apprentice relationship. This musical inheritance shaped both his instrumental technique and his understanding of the aesthetics, repertoire and expressive language of Turkish music.

His academic work at the Turkish Music State Conservatory of Istanbul Technical University spans ney performance, music theory and musicology. Combining practical musicianship with historical research, he has helped educate generations of performers and scholars. His publications include a Ney Method devoted to the teaching and study of the instrument.

His international performances encompass solo improvisation, Ottoman classical repertoire, Sufi music and Mevlevi musical traditions. Alongside ensemble projects, his collaborations include work with American musician and conductor Butch Morris. He has also contributed to musical life through his work with TRT Istanbul Radio as a performer, choir conductor and Head of the Music Department.

Through concerts, recordings, compositions, lectures and workshops, Erguner continues to share the Erguner tradition with audiences and musicians across cultures.

02 / Music & projects

The heritage of the Ney.
A world of possibilities.

Watch a performance
I

The Art
of the Ney

Solo recitals and taksim improvisations exploring the ney’s intimate sound, expressive range and place within Turkish classical music.

Solo performance · Improvisation
II

Classical Roots.
Shared Horizons.

Ensemble performances and artistic collaborations connecting Ottoman classical repertoire with contemporary musical dialogue.

Ensemble · Collaboration
III

Music of the
Sufi Tradition

The musical heritage of Mevlevi ceremonies, Sufi hymns and the contemplative repertoire passed from master to apprentice.

Sufi music · Mevlevi heritage
03 / Selected recordings

A musical legacy, recorded.

01Selected album

Şah Ney

Mega

02Selected album

Girift

İstanbul Kültür A.Ş.

03Selected album

Tende Canım

Nora–Çınar

04Selected album

Anadolu Nefesi

Nora–Sera

More from the discography

To the Whole World · Ari Productions

Nazar · Çınar

Mevlana · Kalite Plak

Mevlevi Töreni · Nora–Sera

Rumi — Ney’in Feryadı · Asır Agency

Tasavvuftan Seçmeler · Universal

In performance

Sufizen
Improvisations

Süleyman Erguner in performance at Borusan Contemporary, Istanbul.

Watch on YouTube · 16:30
In performance

Mevlevi
Ceremony

Ey Garip Bülbül Diyarın Kandedir — an excerpt from the Mevlevi ceremony at Teatro Massimo, Palermo.

Watch on YouTube · 4:19
04 / Publications

Knowledge, passed on.

01

Radio and Television Broadcasting in Türkiye: ITU Radio, ITU Television and Turkish Music

Istanbul Technical University Press · 2025An exploration of Türkiye’s broadcasting history, ITU’s pioneering role, and the musical heritage of three generations of the Erguner family.

02

Ney “Metod”

The teaching and study of the ney.

03

Rauf Yekta Bey

Musicological writing.

04

Şehremini

Heyamola PublicationsA personal portrait of Istanbul’s Şehremini neighbourhood, exploring its history, everyday life and cultural memory.

05 / Contact

Bring the music
to your stage.

For concert and festival invitations, artistic collaborations, lectures and ney workshops.

Artist Manager: Ulvi Murat Erguner

ulvimurat@erguner.com

Artist contact

suleyman@erguner.com