Fazıl Say Denies Rehearsal Conduct Allegation by Violinist Hande Küden

A public disagreement over rehearsal conduct has emerged days after the inaugural concert of the Özyeğin Philharmonic Orchestra in Istanbul. Berlin Philharmonic violinist Hande Küden, who served as concertmaster for the 9 November event, says she was subjected to humiliating treatment by the new orchestra’s artistic director, pianist and composer Fazıl Say. She has said she will no longer take part in projects involving him. Her statement did not establish whether she has formally resigned from a permanent concertmaster position with the ensemble.

Say has rejected the allegation. In a public response, he said that requests made during rehearsals of his own composition were professional musical requirements and that his manner remained respectful. He says orchestra members who were present witnessed the exchanges. He also points to praise he expressed for Küden within the orchestra and before an audience of about 1,500 at the concert. These are Say’s assertions, not findings from an independent inquiry. Küden’s account likewise remains an allegation about the conduct she experienced.

The opening concert, conducted by Tianyi Lu, paired Beethoven’s Egmont Overture with Say’s piano concerto Mother Earth. It marked the public launch of an ensemble whose plans also include education and performances beyond Istanbul. A published listing for a 26 December concert still names Küden as concertmaster, but no confirmed change or replacement has been announced.

The immediate practical question is how the new orchestra will manage its next engagement and clarify its working arrangements. More broadly, the case draws attention to the distinction between demanding artistic direction and respectful rehearsal practice. Without an independently documented account of the exchanges, readers should not treat either side’s description as a settled finding.