Anatolian Clarinet Connection

Anatolian Clarinet Connection was founded with the support of the Istanbul Clarinet Society and consists of Çağdaş Engin, Fevzi Onur Ustabaş, Kıvanç Fındıklı, Yağızcan Keskin, and pianist İlter Vurucu, musicians who have performed together for many years in the same ensembles and gained individual recognition for their achievements in Turkey.

The ensemble presents its artistry through two distinct concert concepts. The first brings together the unique timbres of three different clarinet types – soprano, alto, and bass – alongside the piano, creating an impressive unity while immersing listeners in the polyphonic richness of the clarinet’s sound. The second program, designed for situations where providing or transporting a piano is challenging, is performed exclusively by four clarinets. In this setting, the diverse colors of the clarinet family blend seamlessly to create the impression of a small orchestra. Without the piano, the versatile sound world of the clarinets takes center stage, offering the audience a rich, layered, and captivating chamber music experience.

Anatolian Clarinet Connection performs carefully selected works from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras, alongside pieces composed or adapted for clarinet. Their 60-minute concert programs, enriched with explanatory insights, provide audiences with both an educational and an enjoyable musical journey.

A Vibrant Repertoire

The ensemble presents adaptations of chamber music works written for various combinations of instruments, arranged for three clarinets and piano. In this context, impactful works such as Karl and Franz Doppler’s “Rigoletto Fantasia” are brought to life with the ensemble’s interpretation.

In addition to performances with clarinet and piano, Anatolian Clarinet Connection also offers audiences a unique musical experience through clarinet trio arrangements.

Scheherazade: A Unique Adaptation of a Masterpiece

One of the most striking pieces in Anatolian Clarinet Connection’s repertoire is their special arrangement of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s renowned Scheherazade Symphonic Suite. Originally around 50 minutes in length, this masterpiece is performed by the ensemble in a condensed and impactful 23-minute version.

A Multicultural and Innovative Approach

The ensemble places great emphasis on showcasing music from different cultures in their repertoire. Within this scope, Pedro Iturralde’s “Memorias”, with its seamless blend of jazz and light music elements, is presented in a distinctive arrangement by the group, leaving the audience with a memorable closing performance.

Alternative Program: Clarinet Quartet without Piano

In situations where providing or transporting a piano is challenging, we offer a special version of our program performed exclusively by four clarinets. In this setting, the diverse colors of the clarinet family blend together to create the impression of a small orchestra. Without the piano, the versatile sound world of the clarinets takes center stage, offering the audience a rich, layered, and captivating chamber music experience.

Çağdaş Engin

clarinet, basset horn

He began his musical journey in 2001, first studying at Trakya University State Conservatory under Oktay Bagirov, later continuing his education at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory under Ekrem Öztan, and finally at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory with Assistant Professor Ebru Mine Sonakın Çeliker. In 2010, he was invited by the renowned French professor Guy Dangain to the prestigious music school École Normale de Musique de Paris, where he graduated with unanimous jury approval at the Diplôme Supérieur d'Exécution level. In 2015, he completed his master’s degree at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.

In 2005, he received an honorable mention at the 2nd International Young Virtuosos Competition held in Sofia, Bulgaria. In 2006, he was awarded a special prize at the Jeunesses Musicales International Music Competition in Bucharest, Romania. In 2007, he won first place at the 10th International “Young Musicians” Classical Music Competition organized by the Edirne Mimar Sinan Rotary Club. In 2009, he won second place at the 12th International Classical Music Competition organized by the same institution.

In 2009, he joined the Istanbul Clarinet Choir. Throughout his career, he has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra, Antalya State Symphony Orchestra, Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Filarmonia Istanbul, Side Festival Orchestra, Cemal Reşit Rey Symphony Orchestra, and the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborating with renowned conductors.

He also participated in notable projects with the acclaimed contemporary music ensemble Le Balcon in Paris. In addition to his performing career, he has taught clarinet and chamber music at institutions such as TEVİTÖL (Turkish Education Foundation’s Private High School for the Gifted and Talented) and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts High School.

Currently, Çağdaş Engin actively continues his artistic career as a clarinetist with the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, the Istanbul Clarinet Choir, and Dostlar Theatre. He also works as an alto saxophone instructor at FMV Işık Schools and as a clarinet educator at the Istanbul University State Conservatory, while pursuing his doctoral studies.

Fevzi Onur Ustabaş

clarinet, bass clarinet

Born in 1992 in İzmir, he completed his high school and undergraduate education at Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory, studying with Ender İzzet Gülenler, clarinetist of the İzmir State Symphony Orchestra and faculty member. He pursued his master’s degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dokuz Eylül University, under the guidance of Prof. Gülriz Germen.

He has performed as a soloist with the İzmir State Symphony Orchestra, Çukurova State Symphony Orchestra, Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra, and the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra.

From 2015 to 2020, he worked as a member of the İzmir State Symphony Orchestra and served as the principal clarinetist of the Olten Philharmonic Orchestra during the same period. Additionally, in 2017, he earned the opportunity to perform with the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra.

He has received several awards in chamber music and clarinet competitions, including second prize at the Edirne Young Musicians Chamber Music Competition, second prize at the Yaşar University Chamber Music Competition, first prize in his category at the Dobrich International Clarinet Competition in Bulgaria, and the "Best Interpretation of a Turkish Work" award at the Marsyas International Clarinet Competition.

Between 2015 and 2020, he held a faculty position as an instructor at Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory. Since 2020, he has been a member of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra’s clarinet section, continuing his artistic career.

Kıvanç Fındıklı

clarinet, piccolo clarinet

He started his career with the clarinet at Oktay Bagirov's class at Trakya University State Conservatory. In 1999, he got the 3rd award from the Young Musicians Contest held by Mimar Sinan Rotary Club. In 2002, he received the 2nd award from the 7th International Youth Musicians Contest held in Dobrich & Albena City, Bulgaria. In 2005, he got the first award from the International Youth Musicians Contest held in the capital city of Sofia, Bulgaria.

He participated in master courses given by some of the world’s leading clarinetists, such as Alain Damiens, Sarah Elbaz, Nicolas Baldeyrou, and Nusret Ispir. He continued his studies at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory and graduated with honors. In the same year, he won the examination of the Akdeniz Youth Orchestra and was entitled to go on a concert tour.

In November 2007, he performed “Sur Thèmes Juifs” with Idil Biret and the Bogazici (Bosphorus) Quartet, together with S. Prokofiev's work for clarinet, piano, and string quartet. In 2008, he passed the examination to be admitted to the State Opera and Ballet Orchestra. In 2009, he performed W. A. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with the Samsun State Opera and Ballet Orchestra.

He also took part in Cemal Resit Rey Symphony Orchestra, Bursa Region State Symphony Orchestra, Sisli Municipal Symphony Orchestra, Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, and Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra. He is currently working at the Samsun State Opera and Ballet Orchestra as a solo clarinet artist.

Yağızcan Keskin

clarinet

Yağızcan Keskin won the Second Prize and the “Best Chamber Music Performance” award at the International Anton Eberst Clarinet Competition in Serbia. He also received the Third Prize at the Marsyas International Clarinet Competition and the First Prize at the Dobrich International Clarinet Competition.

He began his clarinet studies at Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory in Izmir with Ender Gülenler and continued his education at Lübeck Music Academy in the class of Reiner Wehle and Sabine Meyer, and at the Berlin “Hanns Eisler” Music Academy in the class of Martin Spangenberg and Ralf Forster, supported by the “Güher & Süher Pekinel Young Musicians on World Stages” scholarship and the “Eczacıbaşı Music Scholarship.” He earned his PhD degree from Anadolu University. During his studies, he also had the opportunity to work with Alain Boeglin, Eduard Brunner, Karl Leister, Guy Dangain, Michel Lethiec, and Bernd Ruf.

He has appeared as a soloist with the İzmir State Symphony Orchestra, Çukurova State Symphony Orchestra, Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra, Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra, İstanbul State Symphony Orchestra, Karşıyaka Chamber Orchestra, and Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra.

From 2017 to 2023, Keskin was a member of the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra. Since 2023, he has been an instructor at Ankara Music and Fine Arts University, and since 2018 he has served as the principal clarinetist of the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra.

İlter Vurucu

piano

İlter Vurucu was born in Adana in 1987. He began his music education at the age of 8 by taking piano lessons and simultaneously spent three years in the TRT Children’s Choir.

In 1999, he was accepted into the piano department of the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, where he studied with Oya Ünler. During his conservatory years, he attended masterclasses with Balazs Szokolay in Balassagyarmat, Jerome Rose in Salzburg, and Oxana Yablonskaya and Özgür Aydın in Ankara. He also won first place in the Yamaha Scholarship Competition held in Ankara and performed at the "Young Talents" concert at the 8th International Antalya Piano Festival in 2007. He graduated from the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory in 2008.

In 2009, he won first place in the entrance exam of the Hannover University of Music, where he studied with Christopher Oakden and graduated in 2011. In 2012, he won second place and the award for the best interpretation of a compulsory piece at the 1st National Piano Competition at the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory.

In 2013, he performed as a soloist with the Hacettepe Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Burak Tüzün, on a tour in Hungary, and in 2014, he performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jose Miguel Rodilla.

In 2015, he won third place in the 2nd Istanbul Orchestra’Sion International Piano Competition, and in 2016, he took first place at the 1st Bursa International Nilüfer Piano Competition. In 2021, he completed his doctoral studies at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory. Currently, he serves as a Dr. Lecturer at the Ankara University of Music and Fine Arts, where he continues his work.

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