Born in Istanbul, Tulug Tirpan was accepted to the Bilkent University College of Music and Performing Arts in 1989 with a full scholarship. He studied piano with Martin Berkofsky and Namik Sultanov and studied counterpoint and harmony with Sami Hatipoglu.
The artists that he was influenced by and worked with are; composer Jorge Sanchez Chiong (he performed this composers’ piece “Reflections of Invisible”), saxophone player Nicholas Simion (Polish Miles Davis Jazz Festival, Tribute to Charles Mingus), violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja (Vienna Festival), violinist Tomo Keller (Yehudi Menuhin “Live Music Concerts” Germany tour-also in this tour Tulug Tirpan premiered his piece “Reflections” for the 1999 earthquake victims of Turkey.), violinist Daniel Pergamenchikov (International Davos Young Concert Artists Music Festival), soprano Kristiane Kaiser ( Schleswig Holstein Festival).
His first album “Elvira Madigan” Mozart’s D Major 21. Piano Concerto K.V. 467 was released in November 1998 recorded with the Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Nayden Todorov. The CD was released with M.M.O label.
Tulug Tirpan was with us for the Istanbul International Arts and Culture Festival.
Here are his As to our Qs!
What motivates you?
People and their stories.
Which city or cities are centers of creativity and inspiration for you?Istanbul, New York, Vienna.
For you what does Istanbul stand for?
Istanbul is like one of those high school friends. He gets you in trouble constantly but he is so sweet and charming you can never get rid of him.
What do you think of the city (cities) you live in?
Istanbul: every day is a new adventure.
Vienna: frozen in time tunnel.
What’s your current source of inspiration?
Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar, Beş Şehir.
Your most memorable journey?
Road trip to Spain.
Your favorite place to visit to get ideas?
Cafe Havelka in Vienna, Emirgan Çınaraltı in Istanbul.
Your most cherished possession?
My family.
Key moment in your life?
The day I proposed.
Favorite recent discovery?
Jose Carreras’ real name, Josep Maria Carreras i Coll.
Favorite artist of all times?
Stravinsky.
How will you be remembered?
Funny.
What can’t you live without?
Friends and family.
What’s on repeat on your iPod?
For the time being Renee Rosnes “Life on Earth”.
What is the trait you most deplore about yourself?
Lack of ambition.
Who or what inspired you to be a musician?
My father and Beethoven.
Who are your heroes in music world?
Stravinsky, Einojuhani Rautavaara, John Coltrane, Sviatoslav Richter and many others.
Any names whom you think revolutionized the music world?
Mozart, Fraunhofer-Gesellshaft-founder of mp.3-, A. Schönbergö N. Harnoncourt, Duke Ellington, Ligeti.
Future projects?
2’nd Piano Concerto (Five Cities), Gulyabani the Grotesque Monster Musical, My Blue Color -CD release-.
What really challenges you as a musician?
Bach.