2022
* April 23. Chinese young composer Qianling Xue –whom Armağan Durdağ had encouraged to choose to be a composer and later whom Armağan has been career-mentoring– has been admitted to the Master of Music program in Composition in the Conservatory of Codarts Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. In 2015, Qianling –a.k.a “Ling”– had taken Durdağ’s “Introduction to Composition” class in the University of Arizona and had shown a clear talent in composing Contemporary Classical music, which before that she was only a Saxophone Major at the said University. With the encouragement and close attention of Durdağ, Ling Xue got accepted to the Composition program at the University of Arizona to study with the prominent American composer Daniel Asia and later graduated from there with a Bachelor’s degree in Composition. Later, Ling was accepted to the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Master of Music program in Composition and had the chance to study with Pulitzer Prize winner composer Zhou Long and Yotam Haber. She had to return back to China due to Covid pandemic after her first year in Master’s program and later was denied entry to the USA for personal reasons. Armağan Durdağ started mentoring her since 2015; but since 2020 they have been intensively working together on getting admitted into conservatories in the Netherlands and Canada.
* April 15. The string orchestra arrangement of the Azerbaijani folk song “Deryada Deryalıklar” (Iğdır’ın Al Alması) made by the composer was performed by Agora Symphony Orchestra (AGO) conducted by Murat Ömür Tuncer, at the Yılmaz Güney Stage, in Ankara, Türkiye.
* January 10. Interviewed as the Guest Artist on the radio program “Composers of Turkey” broadcasted online on the “Borusan Klasik Radyo” –classical music radio station in Türkiye. [ LISTEN TO THE RADIO INTERVIEW HERE (IN TURKISH) ]
2021
* March 25. “Taylan” for clarinet, cello and piano was performed for the 4th time by Trio Kuvars Viyolet at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, Türkiye. [ WATCH THE PERFORMANCE HERE ]
2020
* December 7. “Mother” for string orchestra was performed for the 3rd time by Pandemic Orchestra of Municipality of Kadıköy, conducted by Rengim Gökmen, at Süreyya Opera House, Istanbul, Türkiye. [ WATCH THE PERFORMANCE HERE ]
* July 15. Durdağ made the symphonic arrangements of 9-movement symphonic composition project “The Legend of July 15” composed by Turkish-American pianist and composer Fahir Atakoğlu which was commissioned by the Presidency of Turkish Republic. It was premiered at the Presidency Palace in Ankara by the Presidency Symphony Orchestra and State Choir of Türkiye.
2019
* December 12. “Göbekli Tepe” for string orchestra was premiered by KODA (Karşıyaka Chamber Orchestra) at Hikmet Şimşek Cultural Center, Izmir, Türkiye. [ WATCH THE WORLD PREMIERE HERE ]
* November 4. “Katibim Variations” was performed for the 11th time by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Jeffery Watson at Süreyya Opera House Concert Hall in İstanbul, Türkiye. [ WATCH THE PERFORMANCE HERE ]
* October. “In Search of the Orient Sun”, the version for flute and piano was published in the book “Turkish Contemporary Flute Music: Flute Works by Academician Composers” edited by Seyhan Bulut.
* May 24. Armağan Durdağ released his debut CD album, “The Land of Colors”, as a hard copy in the USA and over the internet on all digital platforms worldwide. [ CHECK OUT THE ALBUM HERE ]
* May 7. Durdağ gave a masterclass for the students of the Composition and Orchestral Conducting Department at the Istanbul State Conservatory at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
* April 3. Durdağ became Assistant Professor of Composition and Head of Composition & Orchestral Conducting Department in the Conservatory of Music at Maltepe University, Istanbul, Turkey. Here, together with Çiğdem İyicil, violinist and director of the conservatory, they founded the composition program; and Durdağ wrote the curriculums for the Composition programs both in the undergraduate and the graduate levels.
* March 4. “Mother” for string orchestra was performed for the 2nd time by the KODA (Karşıyaka Chamber Orchestra) at Hikmet Şimşek Cultural Center, Izmir, Türkiye.
* February 5. The flute and piano version of “In Search of the Orient Sun” was performed for the 2nd time by flutist Seyhan Bulut and pianist Anna Tarakanova at Müzik Makinası Stüdyo Sahne in Ankara, Türkiye.
* January 30. The flute and piano version of “In Search of the Orient Sun” was premiered by flutist Seyhan Bulut and pianist Anna Tarakanova at Alin Art Center, Samsun, Türkiye.
2018
* December 18. Durdağ gave a masterclass for the students of the Composition Department at the Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
* October 8. Durdağ started to work as a Music Consultant at Eyüboğlu Educational Institutions, Istanbul, Turkey, a distinguished private institution consisting of 11 schools in 6 campuses from pre-school and elementary through middle and high school and accredited worldwide by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
* May 11. Armağan Durdağ graduated from The University of Arizona with a degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition after defending his Symphony No.1 “Sea of Understanding” as a Doctoral Dissertation. [ SEE PICTURES HERE ]
2017
* September 15 until October 20. Durdağ’s composer profile and scores were displayed in “Turkish Instruments, Composers and Scores Exhibition” held in Fondren Library, the main library at Rice University, Houston, TX. [ SEE PICTURES HERE ]
* August 17. “Istanbul” was premiered by Hezarfen Ensemble in the beautiful chapel of the Vonderau Museum, in Fulda, Germany as part of the Guitar+Microtonal Festival in support of University of Music in Wurzburg. [ WATCH THE WORLD PREMIERE HERE ]
* August 14. Coverage in Nachrichten magazine, in Fulda, Germany, about premiere of “Istanbul”.
* June. Original composition, “Katibim” for soprano and piano, released in the album “From the Balkans” by soprano Ece İdil and pianist Metin Ülkü. [ SEE FACEBOOK POST HERE ]
* June. Durdağ made the string orchestrations of the film score for the sold out movie “Ayla” composed by Turkish-American pianist and composer Fahir Atakoğlu.
* May 19. Armağan Durdağ gave a cello & piano recital with Turkish cellist Rahşan Apay comprised of his original music, some Western classical music of the Romantic era, and some Turkish heroic folk tunes, as well as marches for a private concert held at the Turkish Consulate General in Los Angeles, CA, to celebrate the 19th of May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, a Turkish national day. [ SEE PICTURES HERE ]
* March. Armağan Durdağ’s private composition student Cem Güven, was admitted to the Julliard School in New York City, as the only composition student of the legendary American composer John Corigliano.
* February 19. “The Refuge” was premiered by saxophonist Allen K.Rippe, cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Christian Martin at Crowder Hall, at the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
* February 18. Arizona Daily Star interview with Armağan Durdağ by Cathalena Burch about the premiere of The Refuge was published on Saturday paper as well as in the online newspaper. [ READ THE INTERVIEW ]
2016
* April 5. Durdağ performed piano in two tracks in “Meeting of Hearts”, a world-music album by Israeli-Turkish percussion and oud artist, Yinon Muallem.
* January 31. “The Infinite Shades of Purple” was premiered by oboist Christian Zatarain at Crowder Hall in Fred Fox School of Music in University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
* January 7. “Taylan” was performed for the third time by Trio Kuvars Viyolet at Notre Dame De Sion High School in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* January 5. “Katibim Variations” was performed for the 10th time by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Jerfi Aji at Erimtan Museum in Ankara, Türkiye.
2015
* December 28. “The Portrait of Freedom” which is a multi-movement work of one hour duration, composed as the second work of composer’s music project called “New Music for a New World” was premiered by the Armağan Durdağ Ensemble at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, Türkiye. [ WATCH SHORT NEWS COVERAGE HERE ]
* September 23. “Deryada Deryalıklar”, Durdağ’s string orchestra adaptation of a famous Azerbaijani folk tune was performed by Kara Karayev Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra conducted by Hakan Şensoy at the Philharmonic Hall, Baku, Azerbaijan.
* August. Durdağ started to pursue his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Composition at the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona, studying with Jewish-American composer Daniel Asia, with a full scholarship and a teaching assistantship granted by the university.
* April 13. “Mother” for string orchestra was premiered by the Orchestra Ankara at the 32nd International Ankara Music Festival at MEB Şura Hall in Ankara, Türkiye.
* March 15. “Taylan” for clarinet, cello and piano was performed for the second time by Trio Kuvars Viyolet at Hekimbaşı Salih Efendi Yalısı in Istanbul, Türkiye.
2014
* December 23. “Taylan” for clarinet, cello and piano was premiered by Trio Kuvars Viyolet at Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center in İzmir, Türkiye.
* April 29. “Roxana” Cello Concerto was performed by soloist Rahşan Apay and İstanbul Cemal Reşit Rey Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rengim Gökmen at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, Turkey. [ SEE PICTURES HERE ]
* April 22. “Bridges of Light” for two alto saxophones and a percussion orchestra was performed by soloists Allen Rippe and Walter Hoehn at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) National Conference in Urbana, Illinois, USA.
* February 13. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Stephane Blet at Notre Dame De Sion High School in Istanbul, Türkiye.
2013
* October 19. “Katibim” for soprano and piano was premiered by soprano Ece İdil and pianist Metin Ülkü at the VII. Festival of European Songs held at the White Hall, Wilanow Palace in Warsaw, Poland.
* May 15. “The Land of the Ignorant” was premiered by flutist Bülent Evcil, cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Cana Gürmen at Süreyya Opera House in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* April 12. “Roxana” Cello Concerto was performed by soloist Rahşan Apay and Antalya State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Altschuler at Atatürk Culture Center, in Antalya, Türkiye.
* March 22. “Roxana” Cello Concerto was performed by soloist Rahşan Apay and Bursa Region State Symphony Orchestra conducted by İbrahim Yazıcı at Prof. Dr. Mete Cengiz Culture Center of University of Uludağ, in Bursa, Türkiye.
* March 21. “Roxana” Cello Concerto was premiered by soloist Rahşan Apay and Bursa Region State Symphony Orchestra conducted by İbrahim Yazıcı at Atatürk Convention Culture Center, in Bursa, Türkiye.
* February 23. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Eser Bilgeman Şakir at the concert hall of University of Mersin in Mersin, Türkiye.
* January 24. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist İbrahim Yazıcı at Fulya Sanat Concert Hall in Istanbul, Türkiye. [ WATCH THE PERFORMANCE HERE ]
2012
* November 28. “The Land of Colors” which is a multi-movement piece of one hour duration, composed as the first work of composer’s music project called “New Music for a New World” was premiered by the Armağan Durdağ Ensemble at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* March 19. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Eser Bilgeman Şakir at the Coşkun Kırca Concert Hall of University of Galatasaray in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* March 3. “Panthalassa” for two zurnas, two hanged drums and symphony orchestra was premiered by Philharmonia Istanbul conducted by Hakan Şensoy at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, Türkiye.
2011
* December 12. Durdağ made the symphonic arrangements of 11 pop music pieces sung by many different famous Turkish pop singers, and performed by Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra under Hakan Şensoy’s direction at a special concert organized by Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV) to fund for the education of 10,000 students of Türkiye.
* August. “The Red Sail” for string orchestra was performed by the Traveling Notes Festival Orchestra conducted by Jorge Aguirre at the Traveling Notes International Music Festival held in Yerevan, Armenia.
* August 14. “Refractions” was performed by a group of musicians conducted by the composer at the Klasik Keyifler International Chamber Music Festival held in Cappadocia, Türkiye.
* July 10. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Sabri Tuluğ Tırpan at the D-Marin Turgutreis International Classical Music Festival held in Bodrum, a county of city of Muğla in Türkiye.
* May 9. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Eser Bilgeman Şakir at the Süreyya Opera House, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* May. Durdağ graduated from the University of Memphis, and earned his Master of Music degree in Music Composition after studying with Rome Prize winner Turkish-American composer Kamran Ince.
* April 11. “The Irony of the Full Moon” was premiered by the Luna Nova Ensemble in the University of Memphis, Mephis, TN, USA.
* April 3. “Refractions” was premiered by an ensemble conducted by Nadya Potemkina at the Harris Hall in the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, US.
* March 13. “Bridges of Light” for two alto saxophones and a percussion orchestra was premiered by soloists Allen Rippe and Walter Hoehn, and conducted by the composer at the Harris Hall in the University of Memphis, in Memphis, TN, USA.
* March 9. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Melin Molla at the Caddebostan Culture Center, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
2010
* May 26. “Dreams by the Lake of the Pure Mind” was performed by the Istanbul Modern Music Ensemble (IMME) conducted by Kamran Ince at Mustafa Kemal Concert Hall in Istanbul Technical University, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* February 23. “Dreams by the Lake of the Pure Mind” was premiered by the Contemporary Chamber Players conducted by Kamran Ince at the Harris Hall in the University of Memphis, in Memphis, TN, USA.
2009
* August. Durdağ started pursuing his Master of Music degree at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis, studying with Rome Prize winner Turkish-American composer Kamran Ince, with the support of a full scholarship and a teaching assistantship granted by the university.
* June 16. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was performed by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Artur Avenesov at the Geronty Talalyan 2nd International Music Festival held in Yerevan, Armenia.
* May. Durdağ made 7 string orchestra arrangements for the jazz album “Faces & Places” by Turkish composer and pianist Fahir Atakoğlu which was selected as a candidate for 2009 Grammy Nominations and charted #1 in World Music Charts of the Jazz Week magazine.
* March 9. “Katibim Variations” for cello and piano was premiered by cellist Rahşan Apay and pianist Dina Hasanova at Coşkun Kırca Concert Hall in University of Galatasaray, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
2008
* September. Durdağ moved to Washington, DC and started studying piano and composition with great American pianist Jeffery Watson at the Washington Conservatory of Music.
* August 6. Durdağ made the symphonic arrangements, also played keyboards and conducted the orchestra at the special concert organized to celebrate Turkish composer and pianist Fahir Atakoğlu’s 25th anniversary in music, where many famous Turkish pop singers collaborated and sung pieces Atakoğlu had composed for them in years.
2007
* December 12. “The Red Sail” for string orchestra was premiered by the Orchestra Istanbul conducted by Oğuzhan Balcı at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* November 29. The string orchestra arrangement of the Azerbaijani folk song “Deryada Deryalıklar” (Iğdır’ın Al Alması) made by the composer was premiered by Istanbul Chamber Orchestra conducted by Hakan Şensoy, at the Caddebostan Culture Center, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
* Durdağ composed original music for the short film “Kayıp/Lost” written and directed by Mehmet Caner Bayram.
2006
* Durdağ composed original music for the short film “İz/Print” written and directed by Mehmet Caner Bayram.
* May 15. “Dream of the Traveler” for solo piano composed by Durdağ, was premiered by the composer at a special concert named as “An Evening of Piano” organized to motivate young pianists of Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music State Conservatory at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Istanbul, Türkiye.