Musical Score (Marche Impériale Ottomane)
Name/Title
Musical Score (Marche Impériale Ottomane)Scope and Content
The Mecidiye Marşı (Ottoman Imperial March) was composed by Italian musician Giuseppe Donizetti, known as Donizetti Pasha, during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I (1839–1861). Donizetti, who had been appointed to modernize the Ottoman military band under Sultan Mahmud II, had already composed the Mahmudiye Marşı for Mahmud II. Following Mahmud II’s death, he created the Mecidiye Marşı, which became the official imperial anthem in 1844 as part of the Tanzimat reforms, alongside the adoption of the first official Ottoman national flag. Musically, the march reflected Western European styles and was entirely instrumental. Franz Liszt later composed a paraphrase of the march (Op. 87 Grande Paraphrase de la Marche de J. Donizetti), showing its influence on European composers. The Mecidiye Marşı was eventually succeeded by the Aziziye Marşı during Sultan Abdülaziz’s reign (1861–1876), but it remains an important example of the Ottoman Empire’s efforts to integrate Western music into its imperial identity. The score and arrangement of this particular march was done by Harutyun Sinanyan (1872-1939) who was born in Istanbul and was the grandson of Krikor Sinanyan, who founded Istanbul’s first Western music orchestra. He studied under prominent musicians such as Dikran Çuhacıyan, Brasen, and Radelli. As he began to gain recognition, he was invited to the Ottoman Palace by Sultan Abdulhamid II, who admired his talent. Following his grandfather’s example, Sinanyan established Istanbul’s second orchestra and collaborated extensively with the Minakyan Theater Company, directing famous musical classics such as La Belle Hélène, La Ascote, and Carmen. Remarkably, at the age of 17, he founded Istanbul’s first major symphonic orchestra. The orchestra’s repertoire included works by Beethoven, Mozart, Kuno, Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, Dikran Çuhacıyan, and his own compositions—a significant achievement at such a young age. During the declaration of the Second Constitutional Era (II. Meşrutiyet), when Turks and Armenians were politically approaching each other, Sinanyan composed a march for the Committee of Union and Progress (İttihat ve Terakki). This march was performed throughout the country with great enthusiasm. Newspapers such as Tanin, Sabah, Servet-i Fünun, La Turquie, Levant Herald, and Le Moniteur published highly favorable reviews of the piece. Following this, Sinanyan composed the Şehitler Marşı (Martyrs’ March), which was also well received by the Unionists, and later wrote a song dedicated to Prince Sabahaddin. He performed at venues including the Büyükada Yacht Club, Pera Palas, and Sümer Palas. In 1917, he was appointed as a teacher at Heybeliada Naval Academy (Deniz Harp Okulu), where he taught flute, clarinet, piano, violin, and solfège to young cadets. Sinanyan composed nearly 70 works during his lifetime. He passed away on January 7, 1939, and is buried in the Şişli Armenian Catholic Cemetery.Category
Musical Publications