Clarinettist Emirhan Tuğa combines Western Classical and Balkan Music cultures in his musical interpretations to create his own musical identity in performances on podiums internationally.
Tuğa gives solo concerts and performs with various European chamber music ensembles and orchestras in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Japan and the USA.
He has worked with contemporary composers such as Jan Raas, Meliha Doğuduyal, Marion von Tilzer, Yuka Tada, Ofer-Ben Amots, Önder Özkoç and Evrim Demirel in concerts and CD projects.
Together with pianist and composer Yuka Tada, he released his first album ‘Moonlight’ (A.K. müzik, Istanbul) consisting of works from composers such as Schumann, Beethoven, Poulenc, Piazzola, Baker and Usmanbaş. This CD, which includes the world premiere recordings of I. Usmanbaş sonatine and Y. Tada Miyama suite, was released in 2010. Tuğa also arranged and recorded A. Piazzola’s piece ‘Milonga del Angel’ and Hicaz Mandra, which is a traditional Balkan folk melody for clarinet and piano.
During his tour to introduce the album, Tuğa visited the Ankara Music Festival, Eskisehir and İstanbul in Turkey, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Nagano in Japan and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
He adapted Turkish Kanto and Tango music under the title of ‘Tombaz Ensemble’, Variete Oriental, Kalan müzik, İstanbul. With the ensemble ‘Tombaz’ he also undertakes music projects and concerts. In his concerts, Tuğa favours works created by composers inspired by their own folkloric themes. He arranges instrumental adaptations of traditional Anatolian and Balkan music for clarinet, piano and chamber music groups. More information about Tombaz: www.tombaz.nl
His another recording premiers for clarinet are A. Saygun ‘Horon’, F. Say ‘Sonata op.42’, N. K. Akses ‘Allegro Feroce’, M. Doğuduyal ‘Hasret/Longing’, E. Eryılmaz ‘ Miniatures set No:3’, U. Aşuroğlu ‘Karlı Kayın Ormanında’, Ö. Özkoç ‘Rondo’ and E. Demirel ‘Molto Reflexivo Nr.2’. His second solo album ‘Turkish Recital’ (Works for Clarinet and Piano by Turkish Contemporary Composers) released in 2018. He performed this recital program together with pianist Edzo Bos. The album received many positive reviews.
The new works of M. Doğuduyal and E. Demirel were written for Tuğa. This album available on Spotify or buy CD this website: www.turkishrecital.com
Tuğa performed W.A. Mozart Clarinet Concerto on 2010 with Bursa State Symphony Orchestra in Turkey (conductor İnci Özdil). He gave solo concerts in the USA in May 2015 at the invitation of the Colorado Springs Orchestra (conductor: Thomas Wilson). He performed works from W. Lutoslawski (Dance Preludes) and A. Piazzola (Contemplacion y Danza) written for clarinet and orchestra. He gave master classes in Colorado University and performed composer Ofer Ben-Amots clarinet solo pieces. Live concert recordings, see and listen on Emirhan’s YouTube channel
Tuğa has given seminars on clarinet and music training in the Netherlands, Finland, Turkey and the USA as an ensemble coach and lectured a clarinet master class. Emirhan Tuğa is the producer by at ‘Antre Music’. Antre Music publish sheet music video’s, CD and sheet music eBooks to help you learn and to play the music for youngsters and amateurs. More information: www.antremusic.com
He founded the ‘Antre Foundation’ in Amsterdam in 2010 to introduce younger generations to Balkan music. He is active as the artistic director of the foundation responsible for training, research and performance activities. Antre provides workshop activities and ensemble courses in the Netherlands for those interested in Balkan music and wishing to receive training. Antre organizes European Union supported research programs, gives concerts with young and professional musicians participating in International Music Exchange Projects, and records CDs. More information: www.stichtingantre.nl
Emirhan Tuğa was born in Ankara, Turkey (1970). Encouraged by composer İstemihan Taviloğlu, who discovered Tuğa’s interest in music at a young age, Tuğa enrolled at the Ankara State Conservatory and graduated from the clarinet class of Ekrem Öztan. He won the Istanbul Philharmonic Association’s scholarship to attend the Amsterdam Conservatory where he earned his master’s degree under the supervision of Emiel Kleymeer and Piet Honingh. Emirhan Tuğa lives in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, teachs at Music School Amsterdam and performs both solo and with chamber music ensembles.