Born in Istanbul in 1999, pianist Utku Asan has performed at prestigious festivals such as the Gümüşlük International Classical Music Festival, Ayvalık International Music Academy, İş Sanat “Rising Stars” Series, Antalya International Piano Festival, Akbank Sanat Piano Days, HfMDK Jazzfest, and Mainweltmusic Festival. He has also appeared in renowned venues including the Alte Oper Frankfurt, the Wiesbaden Kurhaus, and the Stuttgart Liederhalle.
Education
Asan began his musical education at the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory in Istanbul, studying with Prof. Nurferi Onur and Prof. Ece Demirci. After successfully passing the entrance exams, he continued his bachelor’s studies at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (HfMDK), where he later earned the right to pursue his master’s degree. During his studies, he worked with Prof. Alexej Gorlatch and Vassilia Efstathiadou, and he currently continues his education with the internationally acclaimed Russian pianist Prof. Dmitry Ablogin. He has been awarded the DAAD scholarship three times and was also a recipient of the Peter-Fuld Foundation scholarship.
Recording
Selected as the soloist for his university’s CD project, Asan performed Igor Stravinsky’s Piano Concerto with the HfMDK Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Vassilis Christopoulos. Titled “Unerhört,” the album marks his first professional CD release and was broadcast on Germany’s prominent cultural radio station hr2-kultur.
Chamber Music & Jazz
Deeply committed to chamber music, Asan continues his work with Prof. Hansjacob Staemmler and Prof. Angelika Merkle. He received his first chamber music award with the Eibenschütz Quartet, winning the audience prize in the “Kammer?Musik!” competition organized by the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie. With another ensemble, he successfully passed the auditions for the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now foundation and received a concert scholarship. He is also the founder and a member of the Frankfurt-based jazz group B’Sharp#.
Social Projects
Asan’s social engagement has also drawn attention. Following the earthquakes of February 6, 2023, he organized two major benefit concerts in Frankfurt with fellow musicians to support people affected in Türkiye and Syria, and performed in these events held in collaboration with UNICEF.
Together with oud virtuoso Bülent Okan, he launched a series of oud–piano recitals, bringing together diverse cultures and sound worlds, and has presented concerts within this distinctive project.
Awards
Among his international achievements are second prizes at the Bursa Nilüfer International Piano Competition and the Musical Fireworks Baden-Württemberg International Piano Competition, an honorary award from the İş Sanat “Rising Stars” Series, a finalist position at the Minerbio International Piano Competition in Italy, and third prize at the Dialog-Wettbewerb organized by his university.
Masterclasses
Throughout his career, Asan has actively participated in masterclasses with distinguished pianists including İdil Biret, Gülsin Onay, Hüseyin Sermet, Lilya Zilberstein, Denis Kozukhin, Herbert Schuch, Muza Rubackyte, Johan Schmidt, and Hermann Kretzschmar.