Saadet Turkoz

A singer of Kazakh and Turkish origins who lives in Zurich, Switzerland, Saadet T¸rk–z has appeared internationally with such instrumental improvisors as Elliott Sharp, Freddie Studer and Werner Ludi. In this videotape, she performs her arrangements of Kazakh and Turkish folk and classical songs as well as a two-part original composition. With beautifully expressive facial and hand gestures T¸rk–z draws the listener into a emotional world ranging from plaintive melodies to dramatic storytelling where no road map or program note is necessary. She transforms into characters of different ages and vastly disparate personalities, and exhibits remarkable control over the smallest microtonal vocal inflections, overtone series, and subtle degrees of vibrato. In her interview, filled with stories from her personal life, she explains how a sense of improvisation and spontaneous creation is part of the tradition of the Kazakh culture, and how she freely changes expressive roles. She also draws an interesting contrast between the possibilities and dynamics of performing solo or as part of a duet. Click here to view clip.