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Sixteen-year-old Turkish pianist Arya Su Gulenc is turning her focus to the finals of one of Germany’s most prestigious youth music competitions after securing first place at an international piano contest in the Netherlands, marking another milestone in her growing international career.
Gulenc recently took first prize in her category at the Hilversum Globe International Piano Competition in the Netherlands, an event that brought together around 100 participants and required performers to progress through multiple rounds with varied repertoires. Reflecting on the experience, she said it offered not only competition but also opportunities to meet fellow musicians and connect with jury members and professors.
She described the final round as particularly memorable, highlighting the diverse program she performed, which included works by composers such as Sergei Prokofiev and Claude Debussy, alongside pieces from Turkish composers including Fazil Say and Ahmet Adnan Saygun. She noted that performing in a public setting and receiving audience appreciation made the achievement especially meaningful, adding that representing Türkiye on an international stage filled her with pride.
Gulenc began playing the piano at the age of six and, within a short period, started taking part in national and international competitions. She is currently continuing her education in Germany, where she studies at the Hannover University of Music, Drama and Media through a program designed for highly gifted young musicians.
After passing competitive entrance exams in 2024, she joined the class of Professor Elena Levit, while also studying with Professor Markus Schirmer at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz in Austria. Alongside her academic work, she continues to balance an intensive schedule of competitions and concerts, which she acknowledged is challenging but manageable due to her passion for music.
Looking ahead, Gulenc is preparing for the final stage of Jugend Musiziert, widely regarded as Germany’s largest and most prestigious piano competition for young musicians. The competition involves regional and state-level rounds before finalists advance to the national stage, which will take place in Munich.
Having successfully progressed through earlier rounds, she said she is excited about the upcoming final and aims to achieve another strong result, emphasizing both the prestige of the competition and its recognition across Europe.
Beyond competitions, Gulenc continues to build her concert profile. She is set to perform in Switzerland on April 6 alongside pianist Ilyun Burkev, following a joint CD recording project conducted under Howard Griffiths with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The recording has been released by the label Berlin Classics, marking another step in her international exposure. She indicated that additional performances abroad are also planned, as she continues to work toward her long-term ambition of becoming a concert pianist performing with orchestras worldwide.
While outlining her goals, Gulenc also pointed to the need for broader institutional support for young musicians in Türkiye. She expressed a desire to see the return of policies similar to the “Harika Cocuklar Yasasi,” a historical initiative aimed at supporting exceptionally talented youth.
She stressed that many gifted young people across the country are in need of both public and private backing, noting that insufficient support can lead to a loss of motivation over time. Alongside institutional support, she underlined the importance of family encouragement, crediting her own parents, both music teachers, for playing a key role in her development.
As she looks ahead, Gulenc said her immediate aim is to achieve high rankings in major competitions and represent Türkiye internationally, while her long-term goal is to establish herself as a concert pianist performing across different countries.
She also expressed a desire to return to Türkiye after completing her education, with the intention of identifying and supporting young talent, thereby contributing to the country’s cultural and artistic development.
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