About Viktor Ullman
Viktor Ullman was a renowned composer and conductor, trapped in Prague when the Nazis invaded. He was deported to Terezin where he organized concerts and performed. Ironically, he wrote prolifically while interned, pieces we enjoy today. Sadly, he was murdered in Auschwitz.
“It must be emphasized that Theresienstadt has served to enhance, not impede, my musical activities, that by no means did we sit weeping on the banks of the waters of Babylon, and that our endeavor with respect to Arts was commensurate with our will to live. And I am convinced that all those who, in life and art, were fighting to force form upon the resisting matter, will agree with me.” -- V. Ullman
About Michel Assael
Michel Assael was born in Salonika, Greece, and was deported to Auschwitz in 1943. Surviving selections, he became a member of the orchestra along with his sisters, Lily and Yvette. Dr. Albert Menache, a physician, heard the orchestra needed an accordion player and recommended Michel. In turn, Lily helped Dr. Menache’s daughter get into the orchestra, sadly she did not survive. Upon liberation, Dr. Menache wrote a detailed account of the Greek experience. Michel, inspired by Dr. Menache’s account, wrote a score in memory of all that was lost. The score sat in a box since 1946, never transcribed or performed. After the war, many survivors emigrated to New York, Michel and Albert among them.
About Renan Koen
Pianist, Composer, Soprano, Music Therapist, Columnist
Koen started her studies in music with the flute in 1979, when the conductor of the Amherst College Choir discovered her talent during his stay in İstanbul for the International Music Festival. She started studying piano in 1983 with the composer Ali Darmar, and the “State Artist” Ayşegül Sarıca. Meanwhile, she received her secondary school degree from the flute studio of “Nazım Acar” at Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory. Between 1985 and 1986, she furthered her studies in piano in Paris with Germaine Mounier. In 1990-1991 she continued her studies in London with the pedagogue Maria Curcio and her assistant Mark Swartzentruber.
Read the rest of Renan’s bio and learn more about her incredible work here.
About Gurer Aykal –
Artistic Director / Conductor
New Manhattan Sinfonietta Orchestra
Gürer Aykal, the honorary conductor of the New Manhattan Sinfonietta Orchestra, started his music education at the Ankara State Conservatoire. Studying violin with Necdet Remzi Atak and composition with Adnan Saygun. Between 1969 and 1971, he continued his education at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music where he had the opportunity to work with prominent conductors such as George Hurst and Sir André Previn. Subsequently, he studied for two years in Italy where he served as assistant to Franco Ferrara in the Academia of Santa Cecilia in Rome. He was designated with the “Diploma di Merito” for conducting by the Accademia Musicale Chigiana. Meanwhile, he studied Gregorian music and Renaissance polyphony with Prof. Bertolucci in Musica di Sacra in the Vatican.
Read the rest of Gurer’s bio and learn more about his accomplishments here.
