BIOGRAPHY

Egemen Kurt (b. 2002, Izmir) is a Graz-based composer of contemporary classical music.
Egemen's works are a reflection of an ever-evolving stream of consciousness, akin to the intricate dynamic between a sculptor and their sculpture. This artistic stream unfolds seamlessly, where unpredictable, unstable, concentrated, vibrating, obsessive, and oscillating primal gestures seamlessly transition into expectation-shattering, vivid, dynamic, and pulsating moments, creating immersive, atmospheric spaces. Within the captivating surprises of this musical narrative, he fearlessly incorporates historical references that deliver a punch of humour with a touch of grotesque, brutal and gothic, adding layers of intrigue and amusement to his work.

Enclosed by the imaginative form of music, the deliberate infusion of tension and oscillation drawn from Ancient Greek tragedy, and satire serves to accentuate meta-narrative and evocative elements. This process of ambiguity and stream validates both the artistic integrity and the spontaneity inherent within its context, particularly when the work eventually reveals its broader scope and is embraced by its audience.

After studying classical guitar at Manisa Fine Arts High School, he studied composition and orchestration with Uğurcan Öztekin. From 2021 to 2022 studied composition with Mehmet Ali Uzunselvi at Kocaeli University State Conservatory. Since 2022, Kurt has been studying composition with Beat Furrer and Franck Bedrossian at Kunstuniversität Graz. Additionally, he attended masterclasses led by Salvatore Sciarrino, Marco Stroppa, Clemens Gadenstätter, Stefano Gervasoni, Francesco Filidei, Mark Andre, Pierluigi Billone, Johannes Maria Staud, Jérôme Combier, Sarah Nemtsov, and Jean-Luc Hervé.

First Prize winner of the 16th Pablo Sarozobal String Quartet Composition Competition for his piece, Loquela Codex, String Quartet No:1, Kurt has been selected in numerous competitions and call for scores such as the Jaca Composition Competition (USA, 2021), Bilgi University New Music Festival Call for Scores (Turkey, 2021), 17th Sun River Prize New Music Composition Competition (China, 2021), ICE Week Call for Scores (Germany 2022), Resis Festival Call for Scores (Spain, 2022), Yaşar University New Music Days Call for Scores (Turkey, 2022), and Impuls Festival Call for Scores (Austria, 2025).

His music has been performed in Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Romania, and Turkey at concerts and festivals such as Bilgi University New Music Festival, Yaşar University New Music Days, Resis Festival, Sesin Yolculuğu Young Composers Festival 2022, 2023 (Turkey), Donostiako Musika Hamabostaldia Festival 2022 (Spain), ISCM Avant-Garde 100 (Lithuania and Austria), Lucerne Festival 2025 (Switzerland), Impuls 9. Festival für zeitgenössische Musik 2025 (Austria), Remus Georgescu Festival - Timișoara 2025 (Romania) and Chigiana Academy 2022 Final Concert (Italy).

Kurt’s works have been performed by leading ensembles, performers and conductors such as Ensemble Oerknal, Arxis Ensemble, Cantando Admont, Quartetto Prometeo, Quartetto Maurice, Ensemble Handwerk, Ensemble N, Airborne Extended, UMS ’n JIP, Duo Ovocutters, Anatolian Wind Quintet, Quatuor Diotima, Vasarely Duo, IEMA Ensemble 2024/25; Gregory Charette, Cordula Bürgi, Beat Furrer, Matteo Cesari, and Paolo Ravaglia.