İlhan Usmanbaş

İlhan Usmanbaş (23 October 1921 – 30 January 2025) was a Turkish contemporary classical composer who was trained and recognised internationally. He was of the "second generation" of Turkish composers, who integrated European techniques into Turkish music. He served as director of first the Ankara State Conservatory and then the Istanbul State Conservatory, influencing generations of students.

Life and career Early years and education Born in Istanbul on 23 October 1921,

After graduating from Galatasaray High School in 1941,

Teaching and composing In 1956, Usmanbaş served as a lecturer for music history at Ankara State Conservatory. In the years 1957 and 1958, he was again in the United States on a Rockefeller fellowship, where he had the opportunity to meet many composers,