Founded in 2001 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen with a staff of 24 people, the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra has grown and developed over time and continues its activities with a staff of 68 people today. Since the first day it was established with the aim of adding value to the cultural life of Eskişehir, the orchestra has performed many concerts and events on both local and international platforms.
In addition to the distinguished works of classical music in its repertoire, it also operates with chamber orchestra, chamber music and opera music repertoire and has come to this day with a successful performance graph. Its repertoire also includes new works that have had their world premieres and some of which have been recorded on albums. The Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra (EBBSO) held its opening concert with Conductor Bujor Hoinic on January 25, 2002. The music directorship was carried out by State Artist Erol Erdinç between 2002-2004 and Ender Sakpınar between 2004-2025. Burak Tüzün undertakes the music directorship for the 2025-2026 season. To date, it has performed various concerts at home and abroad with the participation of world-famous conductors and soloists such as Gürer AYKAL, Rengim GÖKMEN, Patrick SOUILLOT, Andrea VITELLO, Nikos HALIASSAS, Gerard OSKAMP, Alfredo SORICHETTI, Sol CHIN, Orhun ORHON, İbrahim YAZICI İdil BİRET, Suna KAN, Güher-Süher PEKİNEL, Gülsin ONAY, Maksim VENGEROV, Alexander MARKOV, Nicolas KOECKERT, Gökhan AYBULUS, Cem AKÇORA and many others. The orchestra, which has reached approximately 889,000 listeners with a total of over 1,480 concerts and performances, has so far carried out nearly 50 tours in the USA (New York, Lincoln Center Avery Fischer Hall and Washington, Strathmore Music Center), Bahrain, Greece, Cyprus and many cities in Turkey.
Within the scope of the Metropolitan Municipality's 2025-2029 cultural policy, the even more positive role that art will play for social peace and international cooperation under the culture and art-oriented leadership of Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce draws attention. To date, it has reached 72,000 listeners and viewers with 98 different Opera and Ballet performances. The Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra also received the Orchestra of the Year award within the scope of the 2013 Donizetti Classical Music Awards.
In addition to its weekly regular concerts, the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra organizes Polyphonic Shows, Narrative Concerts, and Conversation Concerts for children and families. The Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra has been continuing its activities in the 489-person Metropolitan Municipality Palace of Arts and Culture and the 1133-person Atatürk Cultural Arts and Congress Center Halls since the 2001/2002 concert season.
Eskişehir Symphony Orchestra
The Presidential Symphony Orchestra, one of the world's most established art institutions, is one of the rare art institutions that has maintained its continuity without any interruption in its artistic life throughout its nearly 200-year history.
The orchestra was moved to Ankara on April 27, 1924, by order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. With a brand new approach, the orchestra, honored with the name of Atatürk's high office (Riyaseti Cumhur Filarmoni Orkestrası), also became the first music institution in the history of the Republic. In light of the principles of art and music envisioned by the great Atatürk, it was aimed to develop a polyphonic music culture and represent it at the highest international level.
The orchestra's permanent Turkish conductors include Hikmet Şimşek (1959), Gürer Aykal (1988), Rengim Gökmen (2007), Erol Erdinç (2011), Selman Ada (2014), and Rengim Gökmen (2015). Cemi’i Can Deliorman has been the permanent conductor of the orchestra since the 2020–2021 concert season.
Presidential Symphony Orchestra - CSO
The Istanbul Municipality City Orchestra, which has an important place in Istanbul's music life and was founded in 1945 under the direction of composer Cemal Reşit Rey, with its foundations dating back to the Mızika-i Humayun orchestra established by Donizetti Pasha in 1827, was affiliated to the Ministry of Culture in 1972 and renamed the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra.
The Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra has premiered many works by Turkish composers and has subsequently performed many concerts at international festivals in addition to domestic tours.
Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra Directorate - T.R. Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Founded in 1973, the Sevda–Cenap And Music Foundation is a well-established cultural institution whose core mission is to promote, embrace, and sustainably develop universal polyphonic music in Turkey. The Foundation continues its activities as a conscious follower and supporter of Atatürk’s music reforms and the modern cultural policies implemented during the founding years of the Republic of Türkiye.
Widely recognized as the organizer of the International Ankara Music Festival, the Foundation goes far beyond this role by actively supporting polyphonic music in Turkey across all areas—from composition and education to archiving and performance. It supports the creation and recording of works by Turkish composers, publishes music-related materials, and provides scholarships to students studying music, helping young talents flourish.
Through the organization and support of national and international competitions, choir programs for children and women, concert productions, and artistic contributions to music-related events, the Foundation exemplifies its sustainable approach to expanding music’s social reach. Its extensive archive of vinyl records, CDs, books, and scores also makes a significant contribution to Turkey’s polyphonic music heritage.
By honoring artists who have made outstanding contributions to polyphonic music as performers, composers, and educators with the “Honor Award Gold Medal,” the Foundation regards the recognition of artistic labor as a core institutional responsibility. As an active member of international cultural networks, it continues to strengthen Ankara’s position on the European cultural map.
Sevda–Cenap And Music Foundation – Official Website
