A Banker’s Orchestra? Why Fiba Is Giving Fazıl Say a Philharmonic

Seven concerts in seven months, three Istanbul venues, a planned first album of Turkish composers and one of the world’s best-known Turkish pianists at the helm: the new Özyeğin Philharmonic (Özyeğin Filarmoni), founded on the initiative of Hüsnü Özyeğin, founder and honorary chairman of Fiba Group, will give its debut concert on 9 November 2026 with Fazıl Say as artistic director and soloist. It is one of the most ambitious private investments in classical music in Türkiye in years — and a case study in how a business family turns philanthropy into a cultural brand.

In brief

• What: a new orchestra, Özyeğin Filarmoni, launched by Fiba Group as the group approaches its 40th anniversary.
• Who leads it: pianist and composer Fazıl Say as artistic director; linked to Özyeğin University and the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation.
• Debut: 9 November 2026 at Lutfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Istanbul, conducted by Tianyi Lu, with Say as soloist.
• Season: seven concerts from 9 November 2026 to 9 May 2027 at Lutfi Kırdar, Volkswagen Arena and Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.
• Beyond Istanbul: concerts in Türkiye and Europe, a first album of Turkish composers, and an academy model for young musicians.

Why would a financial group found an orchestra?

Short answer: to extend a long-running education philanthropy into culture — and to give it a voice abroad.

The Özyeğin family is best known in Türkiye for education-focused social investment: Özyeğin University in Istanbul and the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation, which funds scholarships and schools. The new orchestra is presented as the next step of that legacy, carried into culture and the arts. Its stated goals are to make classical music accessible to everyone, support the professional careers of young musicians, and bring established masters and a new generation onto the same stage.

The timing matters. Fiba Group is preparing to mark its 40th anniversary, and a permanent cultural institution is a far more durable anniversary gesture than a one-off gala. Fazıl Say summed up the ambition as becoming “a voice from Türkiye to the world”.

Who is Fazıl Say — and why does his name sell?

Short answer: he is Türkiye’s most internationally recognised classical musician, both as a pianist and as a composer.

Say has performed with leading orchestras and in major concert halls in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and his own compositions — such as the Istanbul Symphony and Alla Turca Jazz — blend Western classical forms with Turkish instruments and themes. For a new orchestra, his name solves the hardest problem in classical music marketing: being taken seriously from the first concert. Under Özyeğin University’s Artist-in-Residence programme, Say will also lead the orchestra’s education activities.

What is on the 2026/27 programme?

Short answer: a mix of Fazıl Say’s own works, core repertoire and a full evening of Turkish composers, with international conductors and soloists.

Concertmasters named for the season include Hande Küden, Önder Baloğlu, Özgecan Günöz and Elena Graf. Ticket prices had not been announced in the launch reports.

Is this more than a concert series?

Short answer: yes — the education side is built in from day one.

The orchestra is tied to the ecosystems of Özyeğin University and the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation. The foundation will support young professional musicians through music scholarships and fellowship programmes. On campus, the plan includes concerts, masterclasses, workshops, open rehearsals, talks and symposia. The organisers describe an academy model that pairs young professionals with experienced artists, so that the orchestra also becomes a career pipeline.

Each season is also meant to carry themed concerts on topics such as peace, climate, youth and intercultural dialogue — themes that open doors to partnerships with international institutions, embassies and corporate sustainability programmes.

Why should business care about a new orchestra?

Short answer: it shows how culture sponsorship in Türkiye is moving from one-off events to owned institutions.

Istanbul’s cultural calendar has long relied on corporate and family money: the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) festivals, private museums founded by business groups, and venues carrying sponsor names — the Volkswagen Arena on this season’s list is itself an example of naming-rights sponsorship. The Özyeğin Philharmonic follows a different model: instead of sponsoring someone else’s stage, the group creates its own orchestra, with its own artistic director, academy and recording plans.

For international partners, this creates openings: co-productions with European orchestras and festivals, touring partners, recording and streaming deals for the planned album of Turkish composers, and hospitality packages around Istanbul concerts for corporate guests and cultural tourists.

What does it mean for Istanbul as a music destination?

Short answer: another reason for international classical audiences to plan a city break around a concert date.

Istanbul already draws music tourists with festivals and large concert venues. A resident orchestra built around an internationally known soloist, playing in three central venues from November to May, extends the cultural season into the low tourist months. The international line-up of conductors and soloists — from Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Latvia and beyond — also brings audiences who follow those artists.

Our take

Our take: the Özyeğin Philharmonic is a strong signal for anyone selling into Türkiye’s cultural economy. For brands, it shows that Turkish business families are ready to fund long-term cultural institutions, not just one-night events — and that associated sponsorship slots, education programmes and themed concerts (climate, youth, peace) will look for partners. For event organisers and travel companies, a seven-concert winter-spring season in central Istanbul is a ready-made hook for cultural tours and corporate hospitality. For labels, streaming services and European festivals, the planned album of Turkish composers and touring in Europe create licensing and booking opportunities. Our advice: watch the 9 November debut and early ticket demand, then approach the organisers about partnerships for the 2027/28 season.

FAQ

When is the first concert of the Özyeğin Philharmonic?

On 9 November 2026 at the Lutfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Istanbul, conducted by Tianyi Lu with Fazıl Say as soloist.

Who founded the orchestra?

It was created on the initiative of Hüsnü Özyeğin, founder and honorary chairman of Fiba Group, and is linked to Özyeğin University and the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation.

What is Fazıl Say’s role?

He is artistic director, soloist in several concerts, and leads education activities under Özyeğin University’s Artist-in-Residence programme.

How many concerts are in the first season?

Seven, from 9 November 2026 to 9 May 2027, at Lutfi Kırdar, Volkswagen Arena and Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.

Will the orchestra perform outside Türkiye?

The organisers say the orchestra will perform in Türkiye and Europe and plans a first album featuring Turkish composers. Dates abroad have not been announced.

Sources

• Sanatatak, “Özyeğin Filarmoni, Fazıl Say’ın sanat yönetmenliğinde kuruluyor”, 23 October 2026 (original report).
• Capital, “Özyeğin kurdu, Fazıl Say yönetecek”, October 2026.
• Habertürk, “Özyeğin Filarmoni kuruluyor”, October 2026.
• Cumhuriyet and Sözcü, launch reports, October 2026.
• Özyeğin University, announcements on Fazıl Say on campus.

This article is for information purposes only. Concert dates, line-ups and programmes may change; please check with the organisers before planning travel or partnerships.