Biography

Cihat Aşkın, a Turkish violinist born in Istanbul, is recognized as an international representative of the Turkish violin school, with a multifaceted identity shaped by his command of both Eastern and Western worlds. As a virtuoso violinist, he has embarked on concert tours across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, sharing the products of Turkish and universal art with global audiences through recitals and concerts. In addition to his stage performances, Aşkın has been invited for numerous radio and TV recordings, educational activities, conferences, and workshops, establishing himself as a versatile and internationally acclaimed figure through the educational and artistic institutions he has institutionalized.

His interest in music was discovered at a very young age by his family, who enrolled him in a conservatory. Aşkın’s extraordinary talent and disciplined work ethic led to a successful student life, graduating from the class of Prof. Ayhan Turan. He gave his first recital at the age of 11, and by the time he was 15, he had performed all of Paganini’s Caprices and gained recognition nationwide by performing with the Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Subsequently, he continued his studies in London, working with Rodney Friend at the Royal College of Music and Yfrah Neaman at The City University, earning Master’s and Doctoral degrees.

Aşkın has received numerous national and international awards, including the Rome Foyer des Artistes in 2002, the Kennedy Center Gold Medal in 2009, the Buenos Aires Honorary Medal in 2017, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) Honorary Award in 2021, and the Sevda Cenap And Honorary Award and Gold Medal in the same year. He was appointed as an Associate Professor in 1998 and as a Professor in 2006 at Istanbul Technical University. Between 1999 and 2012, he served as the founding co-chair of the Advanced Music Research Center (MIAM) at the same institution. Additionally, he held the position of Director at the State Conservatory of Turkish Music from 2008 to 2012.

Acknowledged by music authorities as one of today’s leading violin virtuosos, Aşkın has participated in numerous festivals across 53 countries on four continents, receiving acclaim from the international press and sharing the stage with respected artists such as Shlomo Mintz, Yoel Levi, Raphael Walfisch, Jesus Lopes-Cobos, and Ida Haendel.

Apart from being invited as a jury member to international competitions, he has conducted Masterclasses and lectured at significant universities in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. From 1999 to 2011, he served as a faculty member at the Keshet Eilon Summer School in Israel and from 2011 to 2017 at the Crans Montana Summer School in Switzerland. He also organized summer and winter schools in Italy, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In 2001, with the aim of introducing children to music aesthetics at an early age, Cihat Aşkın initiated the “Cihat Aşkın and Little Friends (CAKA)” project, which is considered a revolutionary movement in music. Through this movement, he helped launch the stage careers of numerous talented artists in Turkey and neighboring regions. To support young artists, Aşkın established the Aşkın Ensemble in 2007 and consolidated educational activities under Aşkın Academia in 2017.

Starting his composition work at an early age, Aşkın has also made arrangements and composed film music for the violin and various instruments. In 1998, he released the “Minyatürler” album, introducing the violin to Turkey, and began working with Kalan Müzik. Through this collaboration, he recorded the first CD versions of many Turkish pieces and, in 2006, released the groundbreaking “Kreutzer 42 Etudes” album, a first in the world of violin literature. Aşkın’s recordings have been released by various companies, including Kalan Müzik, Warner Classics, Meridien, CPO, Marco Polo, and Naxos. His most recent project in 2019, “Turkish Waltzes,” was released both as a CD and an LP, receiving widespread acclaim.

Cihat Aşkın recorded “Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas” and Schubert’s sonatinas in Italy in 2019, which were subsequently released as a CD by the Italian Limen Music label.

Institutionally, Aşkın founded the Istanbul Chamber Orchestra in 2001, starting its season concerts. Under the CAKA education project, he organized educational concerts in various cities across Turkey. From 2007 onwards, he consistently conducted CAKA Summer and Winter Schools domestically and internationally. Starting in 2013, he organized the “World Violins” festival. Moreover, to preserve cultural identity and support young artists, he conducted regular concerts and radio programs at TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation) from 2014 to 2023. In 2023, he assumed the role of General Music Director for Adrafest, an organization he founded.

Notably, composers Yalçın Tura, Ertuğrul Oğuz Fırat, Arda Agoşyan, Oğuzhan Balcı, Kamran İnce, Hasan Tura, and Aydın Karlıbel have dedicated works to Cihat Aşkın. He performs using Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume’s violin (1846) and Gaetano Sgarobotto’s violin (1924) during his concerts. Cihat Aşkın is a Kalan Music and Larsen Strings artist.

Short Biography

Cihat Aşkın is a Turkish violinist born in Istanbul. He is recognized for his talents in both Eastern and Western music and is prominently known as the international representative of the Turkish violin school. Throughout his career, he has performed numerous concerts and recitals worldwide, earning numerous awards and gaining significant recognition on the international stage.

Aşkın’s journey into music began at a young age, and his exceptional talent led him to pursue formal training at a conservatory. Under the guidance of Prof. Ayhan Turan, he completed his education and quickly gained recognition as a violinist at a young age. Later, he continued his studies in London, earning Master’s and Doctorate degrees.

Having won numerous national and international awards throughout his career, Aşkın has participated in festivals across many countries and shared the stage with renowned artists. He is also known for his efforts in music education and institutionalizing the arts.

Aşkın initiated the “Cihat Aşkın and Little Friends” project with the aim of fostering a love for music among children, providing support for the careers of many young artists. He has also composed music and recorded various pieces, including arrangements for the violin and other instruments.

Aşkın has been actively involved in various music organizations and projects, including the establishment of the Istanbul Chamber Orchestra, organizing educational concerts, and curating music festivals. Additionally, he has contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage and supported young artists through regular concerts and radio programs on TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation).

In 2023, Cihat Aşkın assumed the role of General Music Director for Adrafest, an organization he founded. He performs using Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume’s violin (1846) and Gaetano Sgarobotto’s violin (1924) during his stage performances. Cihat Aşkın is a Kalan Music and Larsen Strings artist.

Personal Information

ACADEMIA

Cihat Aşkın initiated his musical journey by working with Prof. Ayhan Turan and gave his first recital at the age of 11. By the time he reached 15, he had mastered all of Paganini’s Caprices and gained recognition throughout Turkey by performing with the Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra. He continued his studies in London at the Royal College of Music under Rodney Friend and at The City University under Yfrah Neaman, completing both Master’s and Doctoral programs. He became an Associate Professor at Istanbul Technical University in 1998 and obtained the title of Professor in 2006. Simultaneously, between 1999 and 2012, he served as a co-founder and co-chair of the Advanced Music Research Center (MIAM). He also held the position of Director at the State Conservatory of Turkish Music from 2008 to 2012.

AWARDS

Here is a list of awards received by Cihat Aşkın:

1985: ITU Achievement Award
1985: Istanbul Philharmonic Society Award
1987: Menuhin Competition Best Bartok Interpreter Honorable Mention
1990: Flesch Competition Outstanding Merit Prize
1990: Percy Coates Award
1990: Leonard Hirsch Prize
1990: Isolde Menges Prize
1990: Kathleen Long Chamber Music Prize
1991: Isolde Menges Prize (2nd time)
2002: Rome, Foyer des Artistes
2008: TROYA Culture and Arts Contemporary Folk Music Award
2009: The Kennedy Center Gold Medal
2010: Andante Best String Instrument Performer of the Year
2014: Mersin Festival Lifetime Achievement Award
2017: Buenos Aires Honorary Medal
2018: Afyon Kocatepe University Lifetime Achievement Award
2018: ADD Enlightenment Award
2019: Isparta Süleyman Demirel University Contribution to Society Award
2021: 49th Istanbul Music Festival Honorary Award
2021: Çanakkale 18 March University Value-Adding Award
2021: Sevda Cenap And Foundation Honorary Award and Gold Medal

CAKA AND INTERNATIONAL JURY MEMBERSHIPS

In 2001, Cihat Aşkın founded the “Cihat Aşkın and Little Friends (CAKA)” project with the aim of introducing children to music aesthetics at an early age. This movement, considered a revolutionary force in music, kick-started the stage careers of many talented artists in Turkey and neighboring regions. To support young artists, Aşkın established the Aşkın Ensemble in 2007 and consolidated educational activities under Aşkın Academia in 2017. In 2020, he founded CAGA (Cihat Aşkın Youth Workshops) and the CAKA Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing together numerous child and young musicians under the same roof and organizing festivals both domestically and internationally.

Apart from being invited as a jury member to international competitions held in countries such as Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Israel, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Serbia, he has also been invited to conduct Masterclasses and lectures at prominent universities in North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Between 1999 and 2011, he served as a faculty member at the Keshet Eilon Summer School in Israel, and from 2011 to 2017, he held a faculty position at the Crans Montana Summer School in Switzerland. Additionally, he organized summer and winter schools in Italy, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

ALBUMS

Starting composition work at an early age, Cihat Aşkın has also created arrangements and film music for the violin and various instruments. In 1998, he released the “Minyatürler” album, which introduced the violin to Turkey and marked the beginning of his collaboration with Kalan Müzik. This collaboration allowed him to record the first CD versions of many Turkish pieces. In 2006, he released the groundbreaking “Kreutzer 42 Etudes” album, a first in the world of violin literature. Aşkın’s recordings have been released by various companies, including Kalan Müzik, Warner Classics, Meridien, CPO, Marco Polo, and Naxos. His most recent project in 2019, “Turkish Waltzes,” was released both as a CD and an LP, receiving widespread acclaim. In 2019, his recordings of “Bach Solo Sonatas and Partitas” and Schubert’s sonatinas in Italy were released on CD by the Italian Limen Music label. His recent album ‘Fritz Kreisler’ was released in September 2023.

INSTITUTIONAL WORK

Contributing significantly to the music scene institutionally, Aşkın founded the Istanbul Chamber Orchestra in 2001, beginning its season concerts. As part of the CAKA education project, he organized educational concerts in various cities across Turkey. Since 2007, he has consistently conducted CAKA Summer and Winter Schools, both domestically and internationally. Starting in 2013, he organized the “World Violins” festival. Moreover, in his efforts to preserve cultural identity and support young artists, he conducted regular concerts and radio programs at TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation) from 2014 to 2023. In 2023, he assumed the role of General Music Director for Adrafest, an organization he founded.

DEDICATIONS

Particularly by interpreting the works of Turkish composers and encouraging them, Cihat Aşkın has served as an inspirational figure for the creation of new compositions. Here are some works dedicated to him:

1988: Hakan Şensoy – “Haydar”
1988: Münir Beken – “Dev Masalı”
1988: Münir Beken – “Kanto”
1995: Yalçın Tura – “Violin Concerto”
1995: Faruk Ceviz – “Bursa”
1995: Faruk Ceviz – “Dağlar”
1997: Meliha Doğuduyal – “Vacuum”
1997: Musa Göçmen – “2 Ağıt”
1998: Ertuğrul Oğuz Fırat – “Violin Concerto No.3”
1999: Herman Özkalfayan – “Tristezza Profondo”
2001: Cem Küçümen – “Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro”
2006: Arda Agoşyan – “Violin Concerto”
2007: Oğuzhan Balcı – “Violin Concerto”
2008: Aycan Teztel – “Boğaziçi”
2009: Kamran İnce – “Partita”
2014: Hasan Tura – “Concertango”
2018: Cem Esen – “Elegie”
2020: Saim Akçıl – “Paganini Variations”
2020: Aydın Karlıbel – “Violin Concerto”

VIOLINS

Cihat Aşkın uses Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume’s violin (1846) and Gaetano Sgarobotto’s violin (1924) during his concerts.

COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cihat Aşkın, one of the leading artists of the era, gained attention in the public eye and media by initiating online concerts to provide hope and morale to the community. Through his nightly broadcasts, he attempted to instill hope in the public and also provided free lessons to students, contributing to the positive direction of society during this period.

COLLABORATIONS

Cihat Askin is recording for Kalan Music Label. Mr. Askin is a Larsen Strings artist.