Aşkina Ashkinah-Sakinah-Shalom

June 12, 2022 at 6:30 PM at The Gindi Auditorium

presented by the Yunus Emre Institute
A flyer for the June 12 concert Askina

Reception & Exhibition began at 6:30 PM

Concert started at 7:30 PM

Yunus Emre Institute presents:

Aşkina

Ashkinah-Sakinah-Shalom

Promoting Cultural Unity Through Peace and Love

Aşkina featured composers and works from Sephardic-Jewish, Turkish, and Arabic communities. The concert used music as a bridge to develop cross-cultural understanding and communication between the cultures of the Near East and beyond.

Ticket proceeds from Aşkina benefitted UNICEF USA in support of their emergency work for the children of Ukraine.

The full concert title, “Aşkina Ashkina – Sakinah – Shalom,” ties together words of unity from the cultures represented in the program: “Love” (Turkish) – “Peace/Serenity” (Arabic), and “the spirit of God” (Hebrew) – “Peace/Harmony” (Hebrew) – “Peace” (Arabic/Hebrew).

Soloists included Turkish-American pianist Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo, Turkish ney/oud virtuoso Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Persian-American vocalist Chloe Pourmorady, Syrian oud player Asher Levy, ethnic percussionist M.B. Gordy, guitarist Alfredo Schiftan, and more!

Featured composers and pieces included the West Coast Premiere of Sharon Farber’s “Ashkina,” the US Premiere of Ulvi Cemal Erkin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1,” the World Premiere of Erberk Eryilmaz’s “Yan Yana,” “Dance of Abraham” by Nabil Azzam, and the World Premiere of “Journey to Love,” a medley arranged by Önder Özkoç based on melodies of Yunus Emre.

LOA Apricot Tree Logo
Yunus Emre Institute logo

FEATURED SOLOISTS

Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.

Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo

Pianist, Apricot Music & Art Founder

Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek

Omar Faruk Tekbilek

Ney/Oud Player

Headshot of Chloe Pourmady

Chloe Pourmorady

Vocalist

Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.

Asher Levy

Oud Player

Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek

M.B. Gordy

Percussionist

Headshot of Chloe Pourmady

Alfredo Schiftan

Guitarist

FEATURED COMPOSERS

Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.

Sharon Farber

Composer, Ashkina

Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek

Nabil Azzam

Composer, Dance of Abraham

Headshot of Chloe Pourmady

Ulvi Cemal Erkin

Composer, Piano Concerto No. 1

Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.

Brian Keane

Composer, Ghizemli 
(w/ Omar Faruk Tekbilek)

Headshot of Omer Faruk Tekbilek

Erberk Erylmaz

Composer, Yan Yana

Headshot of Chloe Pourmady

David Eaton

Arranger, La Rosa Enflorence  

Headshot of pianist Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo.

Shaul Bustan

Arranger, Gole Gandam

Headshot of Chloe Pourmady

Önder Özkoç

Arranger, Journey to Love medley

ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY:

Milken Family Foundation logo