It is with deep sorrow and trembling hearts that we write these lines. Ayla’s passing is yet another bitter loss, not only for us but for the entire world of music. Her violin was her prayer, and her talent—a gift from the heavens.
Ayla was not just a virtuoso violinist but a person of an extraordinary soul, generosity, and light. Our friendship, carried through decades, is a priceless gift of fate. Her first childhood instrument, passed on to my son, serves as a bridge between generations, carrying with it the love and warmth of her heart.
My wife, Yulia Sukhar, and my son, Robert Oistrakh, who continues our family tradition of violinists, cherish the memory of Ayla’s smile, her infectious laughter, and her inimitable style of performance. Her stories about encounters with great musicians and colleagues were always filled with vibrant energy. Recalling our concerts and travels together, I see days filled with joy, creative fire, and profound mutual understanding.
Yahya Kemal Beyatlı wrote:
“Like the moonlight touching the sea,
She illuminated us in silence.
And every chord of her heart—
Like a pearl in the depths.”
Ayla lived poetically, loved sincerely, and played as if the universe listened only to her melodies. She inscribed her name on the golden pages of musical history and in our hearts.
Fuzuli wrote:
“A great woman is a book of wisdom,
Each page of hers is light and knowledge.
She speaks not with words, but with her heart,
Her voice is eternity, her silence—peace.”
Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi said:
“Do not be a stream, be an ocean.
A stream disappears in the sands,
But the ocean embraces infinity.
Your soul is an ocean, do not forget this.”
We will remember Ayla not only as an outstanding musician but also as a close family friend, as someone whose presence filled our days with warmth and meaning.
May her violin continue to resonate in the hearts of those who heard her and in the sound of a new generation of violinists.
Rest in peace, our dear Ayla. Your light will never fade. Your soul will always shine.
With love and deep sorrow,
The Oistrakh Family
Valeri Oistrakh, Robert Oistrakh, and Yulia Sukhar
The funeral of Ayla Erduran took place on January 9, 2025, starting at 1:00 PM at the Atatürk Cultural Center’s Türk Telekom Opera Hall. Following the afternoon prayer held at the Taksim Mosque after the ceremony, the master artist was laid to rest in the family grave at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery.