BIPO’s New Season Begins

In the 2026/27 season, the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra (BIPO) brings together music from different periods, cultures and traditions. Featuring internationally acclaimed conductors and soloists, the season will present a diverse programme of works from the orchestra’s extensive repertoire to audiences in Istanbul. Extending from tradition into the future, the new season’s programme brings together different generations and musical perspectives, shaped by the experience of established masters and the energy of young musicians.

Successful conductors with BIPO, upcoming stars of the music world...
In the 2026/27 season, BIPO’s Honorary Conductor, Gürer Aykal, will take the podium alongside Karel Deseure, Shira Samuels-Shragg, Christian Reif, Jong-Jie Yin, Maximilian Haberstock and Jakub Przybycień. The orchestra will also welcome an outstanding line-up of soloists, including pianists İlyun Bürkev and Martina Filjak, soprano Nadine Sierra, cellist Edgar Moreau, violinists Lea Birringer, Chloe Chua and Hyeyoon Park. Before BIPO’s concerts, music writer Aydın Büke and conductor and chorusmaster Sibil Arsenyan will meet audiences for engaging conversations with the season’s guest soloists and conductors.

BIPO launches its eagerly awaited new season with a programme that explores the many colours of the musical spectrum. The concert features Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no.2, whose passionate melodies and heartfelt expression have captivated audiences for generations; Weber’s Oberon Overture, which opens the door to a world of enchantment; and “Invitation to the Dance”, which draws listeners into an elegant orchestral dance. The programme also includes two highlights from Manuel de Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat: Dance of the Neighbours and El amor brujo: Ritual Fire Dance.

The opening concert, on 10 December, will be conducted by BIPO’s Honorary Conductor Gürer Aykal, with pianist İlyun Bürkev as soloist. The concert will begin at 8 pm at the Lütfi Kırdar Asım Kocabıyık Anadolu Auditorium and will be broadcast live on Borusan Klasik from 7.45 pm.

The great composers…
Bringing the expressive world of the Romantic era into dialogue with the innovative sounds of the twentieth century, the new season features a compelling selection of symphonic works. Mahler’s First Symphony “Titan” explores the worlds of youth, nature and the human inner life. Nielsen’s 4. Symphony captures the irresistible force and energy of life, while Dvořák’s Symphony no.9 reflects his experiences in America and his fascination with the New World. These works stand out as key milestones in BIPO’s symphonic journey throughout the season.