Seasons brought together masterworks, newly commissioned pieces, folk traditions, and popular music reimagined for orchestra, exploring how music captures nature’s transitions and the emotions they awaken.

Sat, May 23, 2026 | 7:30pm

The program featured the U.S. premiere of Çayda Çıra by Ferit Tüzün, a pioneer composer whose music is marked by a distinctive, often satirical orchestral voice. At the center of the evening was a world premiere concerto by Utar Artun for qanun soloist Tahir Aydoğdu, placing a traditional instrument in dialogue with the symphony orchestra.

Works by Arda İşkol, Emre Tetik, Maile Pacumio, and Deniz Güngören further explored how familiar material can be transformed into new orchestral forms, creating a program that is both accessible and unexpected, a TAO staple.

Program
Ferit Tüzün – Çayda Çıra*
Utar Artun – Epochs of Blossom and Fade – Qanun Concerto**
Arda İşkol – with time, it all is**
Emre Tetik – Deniz ve Mehtap – A Rhapsody for Orchestra (inspired by Dario Moreno)**
Maile Pacumio – Tutamıyorum Zamanı (inspired by Kenan Doğulu)**
Deniz Güngören – The Tempest (inspired by Şebnem Ferah)**

*U.S. premiere** World premiere (commissioned by the Turkish American Orchestra)