Onur Türkmen is a Turkish composer who is mostly known for innovative usage of Turkish music instruments and maqams in relation with his Onur Türkmen is a Turkish composer who is mostly known for innovative usage of Turkish music instruments and maqams in relation with his unique concept entitled hat (Islamic calligraphy).

Onur Türkmen was born in Eskişehir, Turkey in 1972. In 1990 he moved to Istanbul to study environmental engineering at Istanbul Technical University from which he is graduated in 1999. In 1995 he attended to Berklee College of Music in Boston and graduated in 1998. He completed his master and doctoral studies at Istanbul Technical University’s Center for Advanced Musical Research (MIAM).  The title of his doctoral dissertation is: “Contemporary Techniques applied to Turkish Music Instruments”. He is currently teaching  at Bilkent University Music and Performing Arts Department.

His pieces has been performed by many different ensembles including BL!NDMAN (drums), E-XXI, Yurodny Ensemble, Arcobaleni Duo, Hezarfen Ensemble, Adapter Ensemble, University of Memphis Contemporary Chamber Players, Ellen Jewett, Bristol University New Music Ensemble, Razumovsky Ensemble, Talking Drums Trio, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra,  İstanbul Modern Music Ensemble at organisations like MUSMA, ISCM, Schleswig Holstein Festival, Maerz Musik Festival, Kreuztanbul, Istanbul Music Festival, Mediterraneus Project, Klasik Keyifler Festivali and China-Turkey Communication Concerts.

In 2012 he was notified as the composer of the year by Cumhuriyet Ankara and nominated as composer of the year for the 4th Andante Magazines Donizetti Classical Music Awards. In this year he was the composer in residence at Kapadokya Klasik Keyifler along with Stephan Hartke.

His pieces has been published by Coffee Time Records, Pan Yayıncılık, Kalan Müzik and Çağsav Müzik. 


 www.onurturkmen.info