Fiba Agenda
Özyeğin Philharmonic Orchestra held its inaugural concert
The Özyeğin Philharmonic Orchestra launched its 2026/27 season with a special inaugural concert. Conducted by Tianyi Lu and attended by nearly 2,000 guests, the concert featured Fazıl Say, Artistic Director of the Özyeğin Philharmonic, as soloist in his internationally acclaimed piano concerto Mother Earth.
In his opening address, Hüsnü Özyeğin, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Fiba Group, highlighted the importance of bringing the orchestra, academy and accessibility initiatives together under one roof. He said the ambition was to make classical music a natural part of young people's everyday lives and to make the Özyeğin Philharmonic a classical institution for everyone.
Established under the vision of Hüsnü Özyeğin, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Fiba Group, the Özyeğin Philharmonic is an embodiment of Fiba Group's approach to social investment in the field of arts and culture. The orchestra took to the stage for the first time at its inaugural concert, attended by an audience of distinguished guests. Held at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event brought together nearly 2,000 guests from across public institutions, diplomatic missions, business and finance, politics, arts and culture, the media and wider society.
Held in parallel with COP31 Türkiye, the Özyeğin Philharmonic Orchestra's debut concert explored the themes of freedom and nature. The programme featured Ludwig van Beethoven's Egmont Overture and Fazıl Say's Mother Earth Piano Concerto, with Say performing as soloist and Tianyi Lu conducting the orchestra. Hande Küden led the orchestra as concertmaster.
“We want to make the Özyeğin Philharmonic a classical institution for everyone”
Hüsnü Özyeğin, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Fiba Group, said:
"I have always envisioned the Özyeğin Philharmonic as something far greater than a concert series. It was important to me to bring the orchestra, academy and accessibility initiatives together under one roof. On this stage, distinguished musicians from around the world perform alongside Türkiye's outstanding young talents. We want to make classical music a natural part of young people's everyday lives and make the Özyeğin Philharmonic a classical institution for everyone.
This is not a one-season project. As with the work we carry out through our foundations and our university, continuity is what matters most in our social initiatives. Once you have a vision, you have to stand firmly behind it. And that is exactly what we intend to do."
Fazıl Say, Artistic Director of the Özyeğin Philharmonic, added:
"Tonight, it was a great pleasure to see young musicians and experienced masters sharing the same passion on stage with the Özyeğin Philharmonic Orchestra. A great orchestra is built not only on talent, but also on the ability to create together and perform as one. I believe this family, brought together by a shared love of beautiful music, will inspire both musicians and audiences for many years to come.
With the ambition of becoming ‘a voice from Türkiye to the world, the Özyeğin Philharmonic will bring music into the heart of campus life through seminars, masterclasses, talks, open rehearsals and performances at Özyeğin University, alongside its concert season. We are sincerely grateful to Hüsnü Özyeğin for making all of this possible."
6 concerts for audiences this season
The Özyeğin Philharmonic Orchestra's 2026/27 season will feature six concerts. Bringing together talented musicians from different generations and presenting a rich and varied repertoire, the orchestra aims to offer a thematic programme each season. Following Sounds of Istanbul, Tchaikovsky & Say, Between Worlds and Roots & Portraits, the orchestra will continue its programme with A Tribute to Beethoven, before concluding the season with its finale concert.
More than an orchestra: a platform for arts and culture
Under the artistic direction of internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Fazıl Say, the Özyeğin Philharmonic aims not only to present distinctive programmes and high-quality performances, but also to nurture young musical talent, foster a lasting connection between younger generations and classical music, and bring classical music to wider audiences across Türkiye. Through campus concerts, masterclasses, scholarships and development programmes delivered in collaboration with the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation and the Özyeğin University ecosystem, the Özyeğin Philharmonic is establishing itself as a comprehensive platform for arts and culture that extends far beyond the traditional role of an orchestra.
Further information about the Özyeğin Philharmonic and its activities is available at www.ozyeginfilarmoni.com.
