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- PIANIST
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While creating this site, I have been sincerely grateful to the generous friends who contributed through their photos.
To the Istanbul Philharmonic Society, and to Mehmet Çağlarer, whose heartfelt support stood quietly and steadily beside us;
to İpek Yılmaz, who made it possible for our soul to touch the sensor;
to Nathalie Ritzmann, whose gaze reaches beyond the visible, offering more than the photograph itself;
and to Lycée Français Notre-Dame de Sion Istanbul, who so opened its archives to share the traces of time with lovers of art—
I extend my deepest and most heartfelt thanks.
Experience
ORÇUN ORÇUNSEL
Laureate of the 2017 Andante Donizetti “Conductor of the Year” award, Sony Artist Orçun Orçunsel is the Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, founded by the Istanbul Philharmonic Society—Turkey’s first philanthropic organization dedicated to classical music. He is also the founder of Orchestra’Sion, an extraordinary symphonic ensemble established in 2008.
Honored Encounters with Musical Giants
With Orchestra’Sion, Orçunsel has had the privilege of sharing the stage with some of the most iconic musicians—most notably Paul Badura-Skoda, as well as Andrei Gavrilov, Dimitri Ashkenazy, Paul Gulda, Alexander Rudin, Ayşegül Sarıca, Cihat Aşkın, and Gülsin Onay. He has led the Turkish premieres of chamber orchestra versions of large-scale symphonic works such as Mahler’s symphonies and Holst’s The Planets suite. These appearances, far beyond ordinary collaborations, reflect moments of artistic communion that have profoundly shaped his musical path.
A Multidimensional Career
Beyond conducting, Orçunsel is an active composer, arranger, and film music writer. He frequently serves as a juror in international competitions and continues his career as a concert pianist, performing both solo and chamber music repertoire.
Formative Education and Influences
A graduate of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory, where he studied piano with Zeynep Yamantürk, Orçunsel was one of the last students of Karl-Heinz Kämmerling during the legendary pedagogue’s final masterclass at Salzburg Mozarteum in 2007. Throughout his education, he also worked with distinguished figures such as Ayşegül Sarıca and composer Ali Darmar, and participated in workshops with Stephen Kovacevich, Thomas Yee, and Hanry Faures.
Foundations in Conducting
Orçunsel began his conducting studies with Prof. Gürer Aykal. He later served as assistant conductor for the Turkish National Youth Symphony Orchestra under Cem Mansur in 2008 and 2009. Since then, he has led major Turkish orchestras such as the Izmir, Antalya, Istanbul, and Çukurova State Symphony Orchestras, as well as the TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra, Mersin Academic Chamber Orchestra, and internationally, the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra (named after Gara Garayev) and the Budapest Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Reviving and Reimagining Classical Repertoire
In 2016, Orçunsel completed and conducted a new version of Mozart’s unfinished Requiem, premiering it with Orchestra’Sion and the Istanbul European Choir. In 2019, to commemorate the centennial of the Great Offensive, he composed Kuvayi Milliye Oratorio, based on the poetry of Nâzım Hikmet, performed by the Izmir State Symphony and Philharmonic Choir under his direction.
Duo Fidelis and Recording Projects
Since 2016, Orçunsel has actively performed with flutist Zeynep Keleşoğlu under the name Duo Fidelis, giving concerts at Süreyya Opera House, TRT Radio studios, Atatürk Cultural Center, and various festivals. Their album Pâyidar, released by Sony Classical and Sony Music Turkey, marks the first-ever recordings of flute sonatas by Turkish composers Necil Kâzım Akses and Ekrem Zeki Ün, in honor of the Republic’s centenary.
Staging Music and Narrative
In 2020, he staged and conducted Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale alongside actor Erkan Kolçak Köstendil. In 2022, he returned to the stage as pianist for the Turkish premiere of Richard Strauss’s melodrama Enoch Arden, performed with Köstendil and actress Damla Sönmez.
Crossing Genres: Rock Meets Symphony
Since 2018, Orçunsel has been the conductor of the “Senfonik” project with Turkish rock legends Mor ve Ötesi, touring across Turkey with the Eurasia Philharmonic Orchestra. In this capacity, he has also conducted live orchestral screenings of Chaplin’s The Kid at the Kadıköy Festival and other Chaplin films at the Kalamış Summer Festival.
Innovative Outreach and Digital Presence
On October 29, 2020, he conducted the Republic Day concert organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Though held without a live audience, the concert was streamed online and presented using 3D holographic visuals projected throughout Istanbul.
With Orchestra’Sion, Orçunsel has had the privilege of sharing the stage with some of the most iconic musicians—most notably Paul Badura-Skoda, as well as Andrei Gavrilov, Dimitri Ashkenazy, Paul Gulda, Alexander Rudin, Ayşegül Sarıca, Cihat Aşkın, and Gülsin Onay. He has led the Turkish premieres of chamber orchestra versions of large-scale symphonic works such as Mahler’s symphonies and Holst’s The Planets suite. These appearances, far beyond ordinary collaborations, reflect moments of artistic communion that have profoundly shaped his musical path.
Recognition on the International Stage
In 2017, Orçunsel presented his piano arrangements of Bach and Ravel at the International Piano Conference in Ukraine. The following year, he was invited as soloist to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in C minor with the Balkan Symphony Orchestra, opening the 20th International Young Musicians Chamber Music Competition, where he also served as a jury member.
Dedication to Emerging Talent
Since 2013, he has served as a jury member and principal conductor of the Istanbul Orchestra’Sion International Piano Competition, which is a member of both the Alink-Argerich Foundation and the World Federation of International Music Competitions.
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