History of Argentine Tango in Turkey
Eduardo Bianco and his Orchestra who had concerts in Istanbul between 1938 - 1951, and Istanbul Park Otel Orchestra and its Argentinean bandoneonist Tapia Colman have important role in adaptation of Argentine Tango in Turkey.
As a bandoneonist, conductor, arranger, and composer Orhan Avsar has the privilege of being the symbol of Argentine Tango in Turkey. At his earlier age he moved to Argentine with his family, and there attended to private lessons on music, and bandoneon. Upon his return to Turkey he established his first orchestra, Orchestra Tipica.
He will always be remembered in Turkey, with the word Tango. After he died, Istanbul Radio Management broadcasted his recordings for a long time. His orchestra continued to play under the conduction of first Zekai Apaydin, and then Alex Keleci. The name of the orchestra was changed to Radio Istanbul Orhan Avsar Tango Orchestra.
One of his best friends, Dr. Sami Ucar composed an instrumental tango on the name of his memory; "For Orhan Avsar". This, pretty common gesture among the Argentinean musicians, is an indication of warm friendship as well as the adaptation of the Argentine Tango culture among the Turkish composers.
Orhan Avsar has 2 compositions; Pesimista and Bandoneon. Pesimista is played by Engin Ege Orchestra.
