Beste Toparlak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1988 |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Occupation | Harpist |
Aysan Beste Toparlak (born c. 1988) is an Turkish classical harpist.
Early life and education
editShe was born in Istanbul, has an educational background that is deeply rooted in classical music and harp performance.
She began her music studies at the age of eight with pianist Yevgenia Tarasova in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Upon returning to Turkey, she was admitted to the Harp Department of Ankara State Conservatory at Hacettepe University in 1999. During her pre-college and undergraduate studies, she worked with notable harpists like Bahar Goksu and Mujgan Aydin, graduating in 2009 with high honors.
She continued her education with a Master's degree from the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, under the guidance of Xavier de Maistre, a well-known harp soloist and former principal harpist of the Vienna Philharmonic. She graduated in 2013.[1]
She pursued an Artist Diploma at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she studied with distinguished professors like Susann McDonald, Elizabeth Hainen and Elzbieta Szmyt. This degree is often considered a post-master's professional degree in music, indicating her continued commitment to advancing her skills and knowledge in harp performance.[2]
Career
editShe has built a notable career as a harpist, with a focus on classical music, though she's versatile enough to perform in various musical genres. Here's an overview of her career:
She has worked with several orchestras, including:
- Hamburg Staats Oper
- NDR Symphony Orchestra
- RIAS Symphony Orchestra (Berlin)
- Philharmonie der Nationen (Hamburg)[3]
- Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, where she served as Principal Harp for two seasons[4]
- Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestraa
- Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (as a substitute harpist)
- Asheville Symphony Orchestra (as guest principal harpist)
- Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
- Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra[5]
She is recognized for her solo performances as well. She has played in prestigious venues across Europe and the United States, including Berlin Philharmonie, Hamburg Laeiszhalle[6], and various concert halls in cities like Munich, Frankfurt, and Bremen.[7]
Recordings
editShe has recorded George Frideric Händel: Harp Concerto in B-Flat, Op. 4, No. 6[8] with the Bruch Chamber Orchestra, showcasing her interpretation of classical repertoire.[9]
Awards and Competitions
editMatinee Musicale-Indianapolis Competition: Winner in the instrumental category in 2017.[10]
Medallion International Artists Competition: Gold Medalist in 2018[11]
Personnel Life
editShe lives in Charlotte, NC, USA.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Beste Toparlak - monthly listeners and total stream count". www.musicmetricsvault.com. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Beste Toparlak - Harpist". Beste Toparlak. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Arpın olağanüstü yeteneği Beste Toparlak". Arpın olağanüstü yeteneği Beste Toparlak. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Arpist Beste Toparlak ile Söyleştik - Gazete Bilkent" (in Turkish). 3 September 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Harp Performances of Beste Toparlak". Beste Toparlak. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Sun, 9 Dec 2012 Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Chor Hamburg". www.elbphilharmonie.de. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Beste Toparlak - Harpist". Beste Toparlak. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Release group "George Frideric Händel: Harp Concerto in B-Flat, Op. 4, No. 6" by Beste Toparlak - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
- ^ Handel: Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294 - Single by Nisan Ak, Beste Toparlak & Bruch Chamber Orchestra on Apple Music, 18 February 2022, retrieved 17 November 2024
- ^ "Collegiate Scholarship Competition – Indianapolis Matinee Musicale". Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Entrepreneurship, Office of; Development, Career (6 May 2018). "#JumpstartCenterstage: May Entrepreneur of the Month – Jacobs School of Music: OECD". blogs.iu.edu. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Concerts and Opportunities". Charlotte Chapter of the American Harp Society. Retrieved 18 November 2024.