Türkiye’s longest-established music event and the very first festival organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), the Istanbul Music Festival will be held from 21 May to 12 June this year, with the sponsorship of Borusan Holding.
52nd ISTANBUL MUSIC FESTIVAL
21 May–12 June 2024
For over 52 years, the Istanbul Music Festival has been a cornerstone in Türkiye’s classical music calendar. With its lineups of esteemed artists and versatile selection, the festival draws in audiences of all backgrounds. This year’s edition promises yet another splendid experience for music enthusiasts, emphasising a wide range of musical styles, highlighting cultural diversity.
This year’s programme is built around the theme of Roots, commemorating the tragic historical event of the population exchange between Türkiye and Greece in its 100th year, while focusing on the interconnected roots of the people of these lands. This commemoration holds profound cultural significance, particularly within the realm of music, showcasing the festival’s commitment to honouring heritage through artistic expression.
Moreover, with a series of captivating performances celebrating the 100th anniversary of Türkiye’s diplomatic relations with Hungary and the Netherlands, the festival will encompass intricate narratives in music, woven by history and tradition.
A Wide Array of Venues
The festival will take place across 17 diverse venues, offering music lovers an unparalleled experience. From the iconic Atatürk Cultural Centre to the historic Panagia Greek Orthodox Church, audiences can enjoy performances in some of the city’s most exquisite settings. Other notable venues include Aya Yorgi Greek Orthodox Church, The Grand Bazaar, Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Süreyya Opera House, Naval Museum, Palais de France, Austrian Cultural Forum, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, İş Towers Hall, Four Seasons Bosphorus Atik Pasha Terrace, Babylon, Fenerbahçe Park, and Yıldız Park.
Major Ensembles and Star Soloists
BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA & IVÁN FISCHER & FRANCESCO PIEMONTESI
Budapest Festival Orchestra, listed among the world’s top-10 by Gramophone, and pianist Francesco Piemontesi, renowned especially for his mastery of German Classical and Romantic repertoire, join forces for a thrilling all-Brahms evening at the iconic Atatürk Cultural Centre with the support of Mercedes-Benz as the Performance Sponsor with Higher Contribution.
FESTIVAL STRINGS LUCERNE & MARIA JOÃO PIRES
One of the greatest musicians of our time, Maria João Pires returns to the festival for a legendary rendition of the Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 and this evening, complemented with the distinguished chamber orchestra Festival Strings Lucerne, promises to be a highlight of the entire season. Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Centre is set to host the event supported by Türkiye İş Bankası as the Performance Sponsor with the Higher Contribution.
MOZART’S REQUIEM BY BORUSAN ISTANBUL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (BIPO)
BIPO joins forces with the Hungarian National Choir and four of the most prominent singers of the younger generation to deliver a powerful programme. Borusan Holding supports the concert to be held at Atatürk Cultural Centre as the Performance Sponsor with the Higher Contribution.
Highly-Anticipated Premieres & Commissioned Works
THE ROOTS
The festival pays homage to the population exchange between Türkiye and Greece in its centennial with two commissioned works that remind us of the loss and grief, but also of compassion and brotherhood. The world premiere of composer Dimitris Skyllas’ work will be performed by the Rezonans choir founded by conductor Burak Onur Erdem, along with Maria Deli, Tolga Akkaya, Lena Şenol and Müşfik Galip Uzun. The world premiere of Onur Türkmen’s latest work will be performed by the Nermin Kaygusuz Ensemble, of which the composer is among the founders. The concerts will take place at the Naval Museum.
JOURNEY TO THE ROOTS: THE SOUNDS OF ISTANBUL
The festival offers a unique journey into the musical roots of Istanbul, shaped by many different ethnic communities, religions and languages that have co-existed in the city throughout centuries and the Grand Bazaar will provide an epochal setting for this unforgettable evening. The programme will include religious and secular music by Jewish, Muslim, Greek and Armenian communities from the Ottoman era; pieces from Tanburi Isak Efendi, Dede Efendi, Petraki, Hamparsum Limonciyan and many more.
LAUTTEN COMPAGNEY BERLIN & ASYA FATEYEVA “ABBA DANCING QUEEN”
Lautten Compagney BERLIN and Asya Fateyeva perform the world premiere of their much anticipated second project at the festival. Dancing Queen juxtaposes Rameau’s music with ABBA songs, creating a brand new sound world for all music lovers to enjoy. The concert will take place at Atatürk Cultural Centre, Theatre Hall.
A PREMIERE NIGHT: BORUSAN QUARTET & SYNERGY VOCALS
Steve Reich’s new work, Jacob’s Ladder, which received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, has its Türkiye premiere in this exceptional concert held at the historical Süreyya Opera House and supported by Borusan Sanat as the Major Contributing Institution. Complemented by the string quartets of Glass and Mozart, Jacob’s Ladder is a co-commission by New York Philharmonic, BBC Radio 3, Festival O/Modernt, Fundação Casa Da Música, Radio France and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Istanbul Music Festival and Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra.
Transcending the Classics
BENJAMIN APPL & MARTYNAS LEVICKIS
“VIYANA – PARIS – BERLIN – NEW YORK”
Church of St. Anthony of Padua’s luring architecture and impressive acoustics hosts one of the most exciting events of this year’s festival. ‘The most promising of today’s up-and-coming song recitalists’ (Financial Times), baritone Benjamin Appl joins forces with accordionist Martynas Levickis, hailed as ‘amazingly talented… the man who is single-handedly reinventing the accordion’ (Independent), for a musical journey through four cultural capitals of the world. The concert is supported by STONELINE.
FESTIVAL ENCOUNTER: ROBY LAKATOS ENSEMBLE & HAKAN GÜNGÖR
A festival special, the one-off event that brings together the ‘devil’s fiddler’ Roby Lakatos and his ensemble with the qanun virtuoso Hakan Güngör will be a showcase of mesmerising virtuosity and charming music with the support of Nobel İlaç.
INVISIBLE STREAM
Palais de France is set to take the music lovers to a land beyond where music prevails over all. Lauded as one of the greatest cellists alive, Jean-Guihen Queyras returns to the festival with his quartet for a special project transcending musical styles and cultural boundaries. This special concert is supported by Elvan Tuğsuz Güven.
KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI “LABYRINTH”
One of today’s most exciting and technically gifted pianists, Khatia Buniatishvili is especially renowned for her bold and intuitive musical approach and her charismatic stage presence. She promises a unique musical experience to the audiences in each concert. With a rich repertoire consisting of Satie, Chopin, Bach, Schubert and Liszt, she is back at the Istanbul Music Festival for a special evening at İş Towers Hall.
AN EVENING AT THE MUSEUM: CAN ÇAKMUR & ALEXANDRE CASTRO-BALBI
Can Çakmur and Alexandre Castro-Balbi are set to take the music lovers on a journey through Beethoven’s creative universe at Istanbul Modern. This evening at the museum is a very special occasion offering a panoramic view of Beethoven’s work through his cello sonatas that span all three periods of his musical journey. Işıklar Holding is the supporter of the concert.
CLASSICAL DISCO
A unique blend of classical music and club culture with Musica Sequenza, Classical Disco will be a night to remember. Babylon, one of the favourites of the Istanbul nightlife, is set to welcome the music lovers that are also in for an experience.
MUSIC ROUTE
This year, the festival takes its followers on a musical excursion across the historical and ecclesiastical venues in Yeniköy, a prominent quarter of Istanbul known for its strawberry trees during the Byzantine times and its waterfront mansions during the Ottoman Empire. Known as the festival’s annual day trip, Music Route is supported by Meke.
Tickets
Festival tickets can be purchased through the festival’s official ticket provider Passo or at the İKSV box office.
Priority ticket sales for Tulip Card members: 15-19 February
General sale: Tuesday, 20 February
Thanks to the Eczacıbaşı Youth Ticket project, student tickets are offered at 20 TL.
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