ORHAN AHISKAL, violin
Violinist Orhan Ahıskal's performance career covers a wide array of styles and periods from authentic performances of Baroque and pre-Baroque music to avant-garde works of the 20th century. In addition to his wide repertoire, Ahıskal's warm stage persona, informative stage talks, and exciting performances have won him great receptions by a variety of audiences. He has been hailed as a “violinist and musician of the highest calibre”, “a first class soloist”, “a most satisfying combination of exciting passion and subtle sensitivity” by professionals and critics alike.
Ahıskal has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician with ensembles and orchestras in Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Spain, Great Britain and the United States. He has given over 130 solo and chamber music recitals on three continents, and appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Presidential and State Symphony Orchestras (Turkey), the Settle, Sheffield International Festival and Sheffield Chamber Orchestras (England), Baku Philharmonic Orchestra (Azerbaijan) and the Hartt Symphony Orchestra (U.S.A). He has recorded Lou Harrison's Concerto for Violin and Percussion Orchestra and also premiered two new violin concerti with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the New Dimensions Ensemble (U.S.A). In addition to many chamber music ensembles, such as the Goldberg Ensemble and the Scholars Baroque Ensemble (England), Ahıskal has been the concertmaster of many symphonic and chamber orchestras in the United States. He has performed and been interviewed on over 40 radio and TV programs.
Ahıskal has distinguished himself in many competitions and has been the recipient of several awards, including Sheffield (England) Young Musician of the Year, a British Council Fellowship, Diploma of Honor (Viña del Mar, Chile), and was the winner of the Paranov Concerto Competition.
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Associate Professor Dr. Ahıskal holds degrees from the Ankara State Conservatoire (Turkey), the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester, England), and The Hartt School (Hartford, Connecticut, USA). In addition to his busy concert schedule, Ahıskal maintains an active academic career teaching and also lecturing on music and non-music related history subjects. He is currently associate professor of violin and head of the newly established Music Department at the Ankara University State Conservatoire.
Violinist Orhan Ahıskal's performance career covers a wide array of styles and periods from authentic performances of Baroque and pre-Baroque music to avant-garde works of the 20th century. In addition to his wide repertoire, Ahıskal's warm stage persona, informative stage talks, and exciting performances have won him great receptions by a variety of audiences. He has been hailed as a “violinist and musician of the highest calibre”, “a first class soloist”, “a most satisfying combination of exciting passion and subtle sensitivity” by professionals and critics alike.
Ahıskal has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician with ensembles and orchestras in Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Spain, Great Britain and the United States. He has given over 130 solo and chamber music recitals on three continents, and appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Presidential and State Symphony Orchestras (Turkey), the Settle, Sheffield International Festival and Sheffield Chamber Orchestras (England), Baku Philharmonic Orchestra (Azerbaijan) and the Hartt Symphony Orchestra (U.S.A). He has recorded Lou Harrison's Concerto for Violin and Percussion Orchestra and also premiered two new violin concerti with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the New Dimensions Ensemble (U.S.A). In addition to many chamber music ensembles, such as the Goldberg Ensemble and the Scholars Baroque Ensemble (England), Ahıskal has been the concertmaster of many symphonic and chamber orchestras in the United States. He has performed and been interviewed on over 40 radio and TV programs.
Ahıskal has distinguished himself in many competitions and has been the recipient of several awards, including Sheffield (England) Young Musician of the Year, a British Council Fellowship, Diploma of Honor (Viña del Mar, Chile), and was the winner of the Paranov Concerto Competition.
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Associate Professor Dr. Ahıskal holds degrees from the Ankara State Conservatoire (Turkey), the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester, England), and The Hartt School (Hartford, Connecticut, USA). In addition to his busy concert schedule, Ahıskal maintains an active academic career teaching and also lecturing on music and non-music related history subjects. He is currently associate professor of violin and head of the newly established Music Department at the Ankara University State Conservatoire.
