


Hezarfen Ensemble
Every concert by Hezarfen Ensemble is an adventure. Internationally recognized for its performances of contemporary music, it is above all the energy and vitality of this Istanbul-based group which has brought Hezarfen increasingly widespread recognition as the ensemble enters its sixth season. With signature projects ranging from trio (Word and Sound) to interdisciplinary chamber opera (Deniz Küstü and Say I am You) and Music of Displacement, the impact of Hezarfen on music in Turkey has been profound, changing the face of contemporary music in its home country, while the infectious energy of its performances has brought acclaim for the ensemble in its appearances at festivals across Europe. Key performances abroad have included MärzMusik (Berlin, 2013), Rotterdam Operadagen (2012), the Divan project (Berlin and Istanbul, 2018), Klangzeit Festival Münster (2013), Essen Cultural Capital (2010), GHI, Rome (2016) and at the Trieste Prima festival (2015). At home, Hezarfen regularly appears at the Istanbul Music Festival (2011, 2012, 2016, 2021), Borusan Music House (2010-2020), BAUART & Yapı Kredi (2018), Akbank Sanat (2011), Boğaziçi University (2013), Bilkent Music Academy and New Music Days (2011-2019) Institut Francais (2011), Saygun Centre Izmir (2012), Koç University (2015) and in collaborations with Goethe Institute (2011-2020), Italian, Netherlands and Austrian Cultural Centres (2017, 2012 and 2016-17).
In 2019-2020 Hezarfen will continue its collaboration with Klangforum Wien, conducted by Beat Furrer for the closing concert of New Music Festival Ankara in May 2020. Hezarfen will also make its UK debut, with seven new commissions on a programme featuring makam instruments on Bristol New Music, and in 2020-21 stage the culmination of its landmark ERC Beyond East and West Project, Bin Boğalar Efsanesi (Where-To?), based on the novel by Yasar Kemal depicting the extinction of nomadism and pastoralist cultures, incorporating Anatolian instruments and voices with music by Michael Ellison.
PROJECTS
The Sea-Crossed Fisherman Opera in four scenes by Michael Ellison
Based on the novel Deniz KÜSTÜ (1978) by YaŞar Kemal
Ağıt with Verse and Images
A Programme of Contemporary Turkish Music
HEZARFEN ENSEMBLE
Literature as Muse in 21st century composition
Hezarfen Projects Upcoming
2018
ERC Workshop Feb.Workshop
MIAM-Usmanbas
15-17 Feb 2018
BilkentString Quartet Residency
Bilkent University
26 Feb-1 Mar 2018
Crumb, Hearne (w. narrator) Kernis
Borusan Müzik Evi
15 March 201821:00
Izmir Trio Concert
Yaşar University
26 March 2018
ERC Workshop April
Turkmen, Özatalay
MIAM-Usmanbas
10 April 2018
MIAM MK Anfisi
5 May 2018
Berlin
15-21 Sept 2018
ERC Workshop October
MIAM-Usmanbas
12-14 Oct 2018
Stefan Lienen Kamper Portrait concert
Yapı Kredi Sanat
26-30 Oct 2018
Crossing Borders
Köksal/Kyria/Alkhouri/ElTurk/Reich
Cologne Küpe
16 Nov 2018
Stefan Lienen Kamper Portrait concert
Berlin
21 Nov 2018
Divan of the Continents
Bahçeşehir University
5-7 Dec 2018
2019
ERC Workshops February
MIAM-Usmanbas
17 Feb 2019
Bilkent University
6-10 March 2019
MIAM Composers Workshops
MIAM-Usmanbas
4-5 April 2018
ERC Workshops April
MIAM-Usmanbas
5-6-7 April 2019
ERC MV Voice Conference
Comprovisation with Sandeep B,
MIAM-Usmanbas
10-13 April 2019
Borusan Müzik Evi
16-20 April 2019

CONTACT
Adress: Sardunya Sokak
Göksu Evleri Sitesi No:25 B213A
Beykoz / Istanbul
safak.ustundag@hezarfenensemble.com
Tel: +90 533 927 4762
