Anjelika Akbar (Karaganda, USSR), Composer and Pianist, Academician, Writer, Television Program Producer and Presenter

Early Life and Musical Education

Dr. Anjelika Akbar was born in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, into a family of musicians. Her mother was a pianist, choir conductor, accordion virtuoso, and music pedagogue, while her father was an orchestra conductor and philosophy professor. By the age of 2.5, Akbar could read music and play the piano. At the age of 4, her exceptional talent was recognized, and she was admitted to the school for gifted children at the Tashkent Uspenski branch of the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory. For three years, she received the prestigious Lenin Scholarship awarded to exceptionally talented students. She studied piano and composition for 11 years under Prof. Boris Zeydman, Valentina Fadeeva, and Aleksandr Berlin. She then continued her studies at the Tashkent State Conservatory for five years, focusing on piano with Prof. Dr. Plushchenko and organ with Doc. Dr. Levina. She completed her composition and orchestration studies with Prof. A. Berlin and Prof. F.Yanov-Yanovsky. The Union of Composers of the Soviet Union named Anjelika Akbar the "Best Young Composer."

Artistic Career

Akbar completed her master's degree in composition and orchestral conducting at the Hacettepe State Conservatory in Turkey, where she arrived in 1990 to compose the soundtrack for a film on world ecology written by her husband. Akbar and her husband decided to stay permanently and acquired Turkish citizenship.

With over 500 compositions for symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, choir, piano, and other instruments, Akbar's musical journey has been remarkable. Her compositions have been performed worldwide, and she has received numerous national and international awards.

Notable Works

"Güneşin Doğduğu Ufuk" (Symphony Orchestra and Piano): This was Akbar's first composition in Turkey, composed before she learned Turkish, inspired by photographs of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

"Bach A L'Orientale" (2002): In this album, Akbar fused the music of Johann Sebastian Bach with Eastern rhythms.

"Üç Cemre, Üç Aşk" (Chamber Orchestra): This piece showcases Akbar's exploration of Turkish folk music and hymns.

"Flow/Akış" (Videographic Concert): This collaboration with modern ebru artist Garip Ay and videographer Murat Öneş featured a unique blend of visuals and music.

"Ayvazovski'nin İstanbul'u" (Digital Exhibition and Book): Between 2015 and 2019, Akbar collaborated with Bülent Özükan and Murat Öneş to create digital exhibitions and book publications featuring the world's largest Ayvazovski digital collection.

"Anjelika Akbar ile SESLER" (TV Program): From 2018 to 2021, Akbar hosted and produced this acclaimed program on TRT-2, featuring guests from diverse fields.

"432 Hz Albums" (2022-2024): Akbar has released two albums recorded at 432 Hz frequency, featuring her original compositions, arrangements, and a work by J.S. Bach.

Personal Life

Dr. Anjelika Akbar is a mother of two children.

Awards and Honors

Best Young Composer, Union of Composers of the Soviet Union

Numerous national and international composition awards

Lenin Scholarship

Doctor of Fine Arts degree

Discography

Su (1999)

Vivaldi Four Seasons (2002)

bir'den Bir'e (2001)

bir'den Bir'e Remix (2001)

Bach A L'Orientale (2002)

Bach A L'Orientale Remix (2002)

Bir Yudum Su (with Ayşegül Kirmanoğlu and Kubilayhan Yalçın)

Raindrops by Anjelika

İçimdeki Türkiye'm (2014)

Likafoni (2015)

Beni Unutma (Original Soundtrack, 2014)

Mutlu Aşk Şarkıları (with Hakan Aysev, 2016)

Yol Ayrımı (Original Soundtrack, 2017)

March Snow (2022)

Ahenk 432 (2023)

Başlangıç (Beginning) 432 (2024)

Melodi 432 (2024)

Uçan Köpek Baaşa

İçimdeki Türkiyem (20204)