Füsun Köksal
Encyclopedia
Füsun Köksal is a Turkish composer of contemporary classical music
.
Köksal grew up in Bursa and attended Bilkent University
’s Faculty of Music and Performing Arts in Ankara from 1989 to 1996, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music theory and composition, studying under the supervision of Bujor Hoinic. From 1996 to 2002 she lived in Cologne, Germany, where she studied composition with Krzysztof Meyer
, and theory with Johannes Schild, earning a Diplom Musikerin from the Hochschule für Musik Köln
. In 2002 she returned to Bilkent University, where she taught composition for three years. In 2004, she matriculated into the doctoral program at the University of Chicago, where she has studied with Marta Ptaszynska
and Shulamit Ran
. For the 2010–11 academic year she was Visiting Professor of Theory and Composition at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently completing her PhD at the University of Chicago. Her oeuvre ranges from solo to orchestral works and is informed by the gestural and timbral concerns of Pierre Boulez
, Luciano Berio
, and fellow composers of her generation.
Köksal’s honors include:
She has participated in master classes by Peter Eötvös
, Salvatore Sciarrino
, Augusta Read Thomas
, and David Felder.
Her music has been performed throughout Europe and America at festivals such as Young Composers in New Music (Detmold), Turkkfest (London), Toronto Summer Music Festival, Forum Neuer Musik (Cologne), June in Buffalo Festival, Centre Acanthes (Metz), Via Stellae Festival (Spain), and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (Germany).
The prominent ensembles who have featured her music include International Ensemble Modern Academy, Pacifica Quartet
, eighth blackbird
, Penderecki String Quartet, Ensemble Calliopée, Orchestre Nationale de Lorraine, Arditti String Quartet, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 10/10 Ensemble, Ensemble Fire-Wire, Dafô Quartet, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra
, Hezarfen Ensemble, and Vertixe Sonora.
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
.
Köksal grew up in Bursa and attended Bilkent University
Bilkent University
İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University, commonly referred to as Bilkent University or Bilkent, is the first private, nonprofit university in Turkey with the fundamental aim of creating a center of excellence in higher education and research...
’s Faculty of Music and Performing Arts in Ankara from 1989 to 1996, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music theory and composition, studying under the supervision of Bujor Hoinic. From 1996 to 2002 she lived in Cologne, Germany, where she studied composition with Krzysztof Meyer
Krzysztof Meyer
Krzysztof Meyer is a Polish composer, pianist and music scholar.-Biography:Meyer was born in Cracow. As a boy he played piano and organ. He began his composition study early – in 1954, with Stanisław Wiechowicz...
, and theory with Johannes Schild, earning a Diplom Musikerin from the Hochschule für Musik Köln
Hochschule für Musik Köln
The Cologne University of Music is a music college in Cologne, and Germany's largest academy of music.-History:The academy was founded by Ferdinand Hiller in 1850 as Conservatorium der Musik in Coeln...
. In 2002 she returned to Bilkent University, where she taught composition for three years. In 2004, she matriculated into the doctoral program at the University of Chicago, where she has studied with Marta Ptaszynska
Marta Ptaszynska
Marta Ptaszyńska is a composer, percussionist and professor of music at the University of Chicago. She has been described as "one of the best known Polish woman composers" as well as "a virtuoso percussionist specializing in performances of contemporary music."-Orchestral music:-Vocal and...
and Shulamit Ran
Shulamit Ran
Shulamit Ran is an Israeli-American composer. She moved from Israel to New York at 14, as a scholarship student at the Mannes College of Music. Her Symphony won her the Pulitzer Prize...
. For the 2010–11 academic year she was Visiting Professor of Theory and Composition at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently completing her PhD at the University of Chicago. Her oeuvre ranges from solo to orchestral works and is informed by the gestural and timbral concerns of Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
, Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
, and fellow composers of her generation.
Köksal’s honors include:
- Nominated for the Festival Pablo Casals Third International Composers Competition, France (2009)
- Third prize at the Sixth Concours International de Composition Henri Dutilleux (2008)
- Regional awards of the SCI/ASCAP Student Composition Competition (2006, 2007, 2008)
- Finalist at the Second International Composer’s Competition, Reggello, Italy (2005)
- Second prize at the Third International Deutsche-Polnische Kompositions Wettbewerb, Köln (1998)
- Century Fellowship and Mellon Dissertation Year Fellowship (declined) from the University of Chicago
She has participated in master classes by Peter Eötvös
Peter Eötvös
Péter Eötvös is a Hungarian composer and conductor.Eötvös was born in Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely, Szeklerland, Transylvania . He studied composition in Budapest and Cologne. From 1962, he composed for film in Hungary. Eötvös played regularly with the Stockhausen Ensemble between 1968 and...
, Salvatore Sciarrino
Salvatore Sciarrino
Salvatore Sciarrino is an Italian composer of contemporary classical music.-Biography:In his youth, Sciarrino was attracted to the visual arts, but began experimenting with music when he was twelve. Though he had some lessons from Antonino Titone and Turi Belfiore, he is primarily self-taught as a...
, Augusta Read Thomas
Augusta Read Thomas
Augusta Read Thomas is an American composer.Augusta Read Thomas was born in Glen Cove, New York. She attended The Green Vale School and later moved on to St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and then studied composition with Jacob Druckman at Yale University and at the Royal Academy of...
, and David Felder.
Her music has been performed throughout Europe and America at festivals such as Young Composers in New Music (Detmold), Turkkfest (London), Toronto Summer Music Festival, Forum Neuer Musik (Cologne), June in Buffalo Festival, Centre Acanthes (Metz), Via Stellae Festival (Spain), and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (Germany).
The prominent ensembles who have featured her music include International Ensemble Modern Academy, Pacifica Quartet
Pacifica Quartet
The Pacifica Quartet is an internationally recognized string quartet based in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, where they are faculty members at the University of Illinois. Its members are: Simin Ganatra, first violin; Sibbi Bernhardsson, second violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; and Brandon Vamos,...
, eighth blackbird
Eighth blackbird
eighth blackbird is a Grammy Award-winning contemporary music sextet based in Chicago. The group derives its name from the eighth stanza of Wallace Stevens' poem Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird...
, Penderecki String Quartet, Ensemble Calliopée, Orchestre Nationale de Lorraine, Arditti String Quartet, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s 10/10 Ensemble, Ensemble Fire-Wire, Dafô Quartet, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra
Bilkent Symphony Orchestra
The Bilkent Symphony Orchestra is a major symphony orchestra of Turkey located in Bilkent, Ankara. It was founded in 1993 by Bilkent University. Since 1994 the orchestra is based in Bilkent Concert Hall...
, Hezarfen Ensemble, and Vertixe Sonora.
Works
- Moire for two pianos and ensemble (2010–2011)
- Horn Trio for violin, horn, and piano (2011)
- Six Pieces for two pianos (2010)
- Deux Visions for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, and piano (2009); also version for five instruments (2011)
- Five Miniatures for marimba (2009)
- Nocturnal for flute, violin, cello, and piano (2008)
- Three Songs for baritone, cello, and piano, text by Bertold Brecht (2008)
- Imaginary Spaces for chamber orchestra (2007)
- String Quartet No. 1 (2006–07)
- Around Circles for solo clarinet (2006)
- Fanfare for Wind Quintet for flute, oboe, clarinet in Bb, trumpet in Bb, and baritone saxophone (2005)
- Quartet for oboe and string trio (2002)
- Trio for violin, cello, and piano (2001)
- Four Pieces for string quartet (1998)
- Windows Suite for orchestra (1996)