PERFORMERS:
Presidential Symphony Orchestra (Turkey)
Conductor: Cemi'i Can Deliorman
PROGRAMME:
Ferit Tüzün
Anatolian Candle Dance (Çayda Çıra)
Compositions by Arpanatolia ensemble
Ulvi Cemal Erkin
Symphony No. 2
The Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is not only one of the oldest but also one of the few symphonic ensembles in the world that has performed without interruption for nearly two centuries – a living witness to Turkey’s musical and cultural history.
Founded during the Ottoman era under the name Musika-i Hümâyûn as an ensemble attached to the Imperial Court, the orchestra encountered Western music under the direction of Giuseppe Donizetti Pasha, who was invited from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to Istanbul in 1828. In a short time the ensemble embraced the polyphonic musical tradition, institutionalised its structure, and became one of the cornerstones of Turkey’s organised musical life.
With the proclamation of the Republic the orchestra entered a new era. On 27 April 1924 by the direct order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the ensemble moved to Ankara, assuming the mission of elevating the cultural and artistic life of the young Republic. In this process it took the name Riyaset-i Cumhur Filarmoni Orkestrası (Presidential Philharmonic Orchestra), becoming the first official music institution of the Republic. Guided by Atatürk’s visionary cultural policies, the aim was to root polyphonic music across the country and to represent Turkey on the international art scene.
In 1934–1935 Ahmed Adnan Saygun and later the world-renowned German composer Paul Hindemith were commissioned to modernise Turkey’s music education institutions. At Hindemith’s recommendation the German conductor Dr Ernst Praetorius was appointed as the orchestra’s Principal Conductor, significantly raising its artistic level and repertoire to international standards.
The orchestra’s artistic identity has been shaped under the leadership of conductors who have left a profound mark on Turkey’s musical history:
Osman Zeki Üngör (1924), Ahmed Adnan Saygun (1935–1946), Hasan Ferid Alnar (1946), Hikmet Şimşek (1959), Gürer Aykal (1988), Rengim Gökmen (2007, 2015), Erol Erdinç (2011) and Selman Ada (2014) each enriched the orchestra’s vision in different periods. Since the 2020–21 season the orchestra has been under the musical direction of Cemi’i Can Deliorman, who continues to bring a fresh artistic perspective.
Throughout its history CSO has shared the stage with the most important soloists and composers of its time and has played a key role in nurturing the leading figures of Turkey’s classical music tradition. Distinguished artists such as Suna Kan, Ayla Erduran, Ayşegül Sarıca, İdil Biret, Gülay Uğurata, Gülsin Onay, Verda Erman, Hüseyin Sermet, İsmail Aşan, Tunç Ünver and Çağıl Yücelen have been among the orchestra’s regular soloists.
One of the most significant milestones in the orchestra’s modern history was the inauguration of its new concert hall on 3 December 2020, marked by a gala concert featuring the legendary opera soprano Angela Gheorghiu.
This state-of-the-art venue, celebrated for its world-class acoustics and architecture, has since hosted prominent conductors such as Leif Segerstam, Jacek Kaspszyk and Vladimir Ponkin, as well as distinguished soloists including Daniel Müller-Schott, Soyoung Yoon and Patricia Kopatchinskaja.
As one of the most magnificent symbols of the Republic’s cultural vision, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra embarks on its 200th concert season (2025–2026) with its high artistic standards and its enduring bond with society. This journey continues to honorably represent Turkey on the global art stage while making symphonic music accessible, meaningful, and lasting for all.
Information for October 2025
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