TOLGA ATALAY ÜN -
CONDUCTOR
Music Director - Ankara State Ballet and Opera
"I noticed that Ün listened to both the orchestra and the singers with musical respect. In response, the orchestra obeyed his hand with the same respect, resulting in a true "musical unity"."
SANATTAN YANSIMALAR - Pinar Aydin O'Dwyer
"There is a respectable "magic wand" effect in these performances, most of which are directed by the young conductor Tolga Atalay Ün."
SANATTAN YANSIMALAR - Pinar Aydin O'Dwyer
Tolga Atalay Ün is a highly acclaimed Turkish-American conductor, historical keyboard player, and pianist. Born in 1995, Ün has established himself as one of the most sought-after musicians of his generation.
As of 2022, Tolga Atalay Ün has assumed the role of conductor at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet.
In 2022, Ün made history by conducting the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Turkey from the harpsichord, becoming one of the youngest conductors to do so. He has further showcased his versatility by performing as a conductor, harpsichordist, and pianist with esteemed orchestras such as L’Orchestra Roma Sinfonietta, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, CRR Symphony Orchestra, Olten Philharmonic Orchestra, Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Mersin State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra, TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra, Orkestra Akademik Başkent and Karşıyaka Municipality Chamber Orchestra.
Ün's exceptional talent was first recognized when he performed as a soloist with the Ankara Youth Symphony Orchestra in the opening concert of the 33rd International Ankara Music Festival in 2016. His remarkable abilities garnered him recognition from musical authorities. Since then, his career has seen remarkable achievements, including playing the piano for a concert organized for the annual President's Visit from His Majesty King Charles III to the Royal College of Music in London in 2019.
Ün's talent has taken him to numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands, where he has performed in prestigious venues like the London Royal Festival Hall and Salzburg Mozarteum. His notable accolades include the 'Mills Williams Medal' at the Royal College of Music in 2021 and the 'Beethoven Medal' from the Worshipful Company of Musicians for winning the First Prize.
Ün pursued his musical education under the guidance of renowned professors and conductors. He studied piano with Sibel Özgün, Prof. Norma Fisher, and Prof. Niel Immelman. He delved into Historical Performance and Historical Keyboard Instruments with Prof. Terence Charlston and Prof. Robert Woolley. His conducting mentors include Orhun Orhon, İbrahim Yazıcı, Burak Tüzün, Peter Stark, Howard Williams, and Lior Shambadal.
Ün's educational journey took him from Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, where he graduated with the prestigious "Top of the School Award," to the Royal College of Music in London. At the RCM, he obtained his Bachelor of Music (Honours) with First Class, Master of Performance (MPerf) with Distinction, and Artist Diploma. Additionally, he received notable recognition as the 'Mills Williams Junior Fellow,' 'C. Bechstein Scholar supported by a Christopher Hogwood Scholarship,' and 'Kenneth and Violet Scott Scholar' at the RCM.
Throughout his career, Ün has enjoyed the support of esteemed foundations such as the Sevda-Cenap And Music Foundation and Talent Unlimited. He is grateful for their contributions to his studies in London. Additionally, from 2016 to 2021, he benefited from the mentorship and financial support of the 'Young Musicians on World Stages' (YMWS) system, created by Güher & Süher Pekinel and sponsored by TÜPRAŞ.
Ün's passion for music began at a young age when he joined the Polyphonic Children's Choir of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2004. He participated in numerous concerts and tours, honing his skills both as a choir member and accompanist. His dedication led to an offer to start his professional studies at the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory in 2007.
Ün's profound dedication to his craft is evident in his extensive repertoire, including premiering pieces and making notable radio recordings. In October 2021, he took on a teaching role at Ankara Music and Fine Arts University while continuing his professional work as a conductor, pianist, and harpsichordist.
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Upcoming
performances
28 March 2024 Thursday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 13 April 2024 Saturday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 4 May 2024 Saturday Bilkent Symphony Orchestra Bilkent Concert Hall, Ankara 17 May 2024 Friday Presidential Symphony Orchestra CSO Main Hall, Ankara, Türkiye 23 May 2024 Thursday Karşıyaka Municipality Chamber Orchestra Hikmet Şimşek Sanat Merkezi 30-31 May 2024 Thursday-Friday KKTC Presidential Symphony Orchestra Kıbrıs, KKTC
Past performances
March 2024 Saturday Bilkent Symphony Orchestra Bilkent Concert Hall, Ankara - 15 March 2024 Friday Çukurova State Symphony Orchestra Adana, Türkiye 21 March 2024 Thursday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 22 February 2024 Thursday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 26 February 2024 Monday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Puccini - Tosca Ankara State Opera and Ballet 29 February 2024 Thursday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 2 March 2024 Saturday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 4 March 2024 Monday Recital with Yusuf Çelik (Cello) CSO Mavi Salon, Ankara, Türkiye 7 March 2024 Thursday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 7 February 2024 Wednesday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Puccini - Tosca Ankara State Opera and Ballet 8 February 2024 Thursday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 10 February 2024 Saturday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 3 February 2024 Saturday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - La Bayadère Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 2 February 2024 Friday Presidential Symphony Orchestra CSO Main Hall, Ankara, Türkiye 26 January 2024 Friday Antalya State Symphony Orchestra Antalya, Türkiye 4 January 2024 Thursday Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra, Soloist: Bülent Yazıcı (Mandolin) Bursa Atatürk Kongre ve Kültür Merkezi, Bursa, Türkiye 27 December 2023 Wednesday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 14-15 December 2023 Thursday-Friday KKTC Presidential Symphony Orchestra Kıbrıs, KKTC 11 December 2023 Monday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 9 December 2023 Saturday Bilkent Symphony Orchestra Bilkent Concert Hall, Ankara - 5 December 2023 Tuesday CRR Symphony Orchestra CRR Concert Hall, Istanbul - 27 November 2023 Monday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 24 November 2023 Friday Izmir State Symphony Orchestra Ahmed Adnan Saygun Sanat Merkezi, Izmir, Türkiye - 18 November 2023 Saturday Mersin State Opera and Ballet Orchestra 30th Anniversary Concert Mersin State Opera and Ballet, Mersin 15 November 2023 Wednesday Olten Philharmonic Orchestra Ahmed Adnan Saygun Sanat Merkezi, Izmir, Türkiye - 10 November 2023 Friday Izmir State Symphony Orchestra Ahmed Adnan Saygun Sanat Merkezi, Izmir, Türkiye - 2 November 2023 Thursday İşSanat Opening Concert with Murat Karahan and Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Istanbul, Türkiye 25 October 2023 Wednesday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 21 October 2023 Saturday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 7 October 2023 Saturday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Puccini - Tosca Ankara State Opera and Ballet 3 October 2023 Tuesday Concert for the Centenary of the Republic of Türkiye L’Orchestra Roma Sinfonietta Auditorium Parco Della Musica Roma / Sala Giuseppe Sinopoli 27 September 2023 Wednesday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G.Puccini - Tosca Ankara State Opera and Ballet 23 September 2023 Saturday Mersin International Music Festival Orchestra, Soloist: Soyoung Yoon (Violin) Mezitli Amfi Tiyatrosu, Mersin, Türkiye 21 September 2023 Thursday 30th International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival Gala Concert Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra Aspendos Ancient Theatre - 7 June 2023 Wednesday Season Closing Concert with Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra Ankara State Opera and Ballet 31 May 2023 Wednesday Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Falstaff Istanbul Atatürk Kültür Merkezi 27 May 2023 Saturday Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Falstaff Istanbul Atatürk Kültür Merkezi 24 May 2023 Wednesday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 20 May 2023 Saturday Concert with Serhan Bali CSO Mavi Salon 19 May 2023 Friday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra Symphonic Concert Ankara State Opera and Ballet 18 May 2023 Thursday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra L. Minkus - Don Quixote Ballet Ankara State Opera and Ballet 13 May 2023 Saturday Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Verdi - Falstaff Istanbul Atatürk Kültür Merkezi 3 May 2023 Wednesday Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra Special Concert with Murat Karahan Istanbul Atatürk Kültür Merkezi Tiyatro Salonu 19 April 2023 Wednesday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra G. Puccini - Tosca Ankara State Opera and Ballet 11 April 2023 Tuesday Concert with Serhan Bali Mozarthaus Ankara 3 April 2023 Monday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra - G. Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 20 March 2023 Monday Ankara State Opera and Ballet Orchestra - G.Verdi - Un ballo in maschera Ankara State Opera and Ballet 17 March 2023 Friday Schubertiade with Serhan Bali Mozarthaus Ankara 27 January 2023 Friday Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, Soloist: Bruno De Sa Ahmed Adnan Saygun Sanat Merkezi 17 January 2023 Tuesday Orkestra Akademik Başkent, Soloist: Cem Çeliksırt (Guitar) CSO Ada Mavi Salon 9 January 2023 Monday Karşıyaka Municipality Chamber Orchestra (KODA) Hikmet Şimşek Sanat Merkezi, İzmir
