New Look Back at Turkish Female Composers

On Wednesday 19 November 2025, The Concertgebouw presents a new edition of its series New Look Back. Musician, presenter and documentary maker Orville Breeveld shines a spotlight on Turkish female composers who have been unjustly forgotten. For the very first time, their music and life stories will be brought to the stage of The Concertgebouw’s Recital Hall.

Performers include Feride Büyükdenktas (mezzo-soprano), Çisem Özkurt (violin) and Ayşegül Yörükoğlu (piano). Alongside the performances, host Orville Breeveld will engage in conversation with special guest Yesim Candan about the significance of these composers for Turkish female entrepreneurship.

Composers such as Nazife Güran (1921–1993), Leyla Saz (1850–1936), Yüksel Koptagel (1931) and Kevser Hanım (1867–1963?) are among the queens of Turkish classical music. Their rich musical heritage—seldom heard in the Netherlands—comes vividly to life in this programme. As presenter and curator, Breeveld interweaves the music with context and personal stories, casting new light on a forgotten chapter of music history.

“A Fresh Look Back tells the stories of great figures we too often overlook. These are composers who fought for freedom and created the most beautiful music. Their history moves me deeply,” says Orville Breeveld.

Turkish mezzo-soprano Feride Büyükdenktas will also take the stage during this edition of A Fresh Look Back. In recent years, she has emerged as one of the most compelling voices on European stages. Known for her interpretations of the German Lied repertoire, Büyükdenktas is also a passionate advocate for Turkish music, including that of Nazife Güran. During an earlier recital at The Concertgebouw, she performed Güran’s songs Hayalimdeki Bahçe and Gece Deniz.