If there is one genre of music that feels like a remedy for my soul, it is Baroque. I feel both elevated and relieved by its richness, which time and again becomes a refuge amid the chaos of Istanbul.
Prof. Leyla Pınar Tansever (1944-2021)
There is one pioneering institution dedicated to the performance and preservation of Baroque music in Istanbul: İstanbul Barok. Founded in 1975 as an ensemble, it later gained a formal structure with the establishment of the İstanbul Barok Association in 2013, creating a lasting cultural platform for Baroque music in our city.
A photograph from the 6th Baroque Singing Competition
The initiative was founded by Prof. Leyla Pınar Tansever, a distinguished harpsichordist, musicologist, and educator. Through her vision, İstanbul Barok became a leading force in introducing Baroque performance to Istanbulites and connecting local musicians with the international Baroque tradition. It is so sad to know that she passed away in 2021 leaving a legacy behind her.
Beyond concerts, İstanbul Barok is playing a key role in education and cultural exchange, notably through the International Istanbul Baroque Festival and the Leyla Pınar Baroque Singing Competition.
Prof. Leyla Pınar Tansever
Prof. Leyla Pınar’s legacy continues to shape the institution, ensuring that Baroque music remains a living and evolving presence in Istanbul’s cultural life. Let her rest in peace.
Visit it at https://www.istanbulbarok.org/dernek/.
